A Closer Look at the Midwest Climate Change
Climate is the prevailing condition of weather in an area over a long period, typically around 30 years or more. It means the typical temperature, rainfall, and severe weather conditions in a particular area for an extended time.
The world’s climate is changing; the world is getting warmer, severe weather is becoming prevalent such as floods, dry spells, and typhoons. Yet, the Midwest is becoming wetter. A more considerable part of the Midwest has higher rainfall in winter months and autumn, warmer in summer, and wetter in the southern region during spring.
Cause of Climate Change
To live, we need a certain amount of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere; too much of it will cause a problem. More than ever, there’s a higher volume of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gasses in our atmosphere. This indicates that more heat is absorbed than needed, causing a warmer planet, called the greenhouse effect.
Heavy Precipitation
Over the last half-century, the average yearly precipitation has increased by 5 to 10 percent in some parts of the Midwest. A significant area is expected to have heavier rainfall in spring and severe storms increasing during the next century. It is more likely to increase the regularity of floods also.
Floodings are the most common natural disaster in some parts of the Midwest. Flooding can cause sizable financial damage to the counties; it destroys agricultural output, businesses, and houses.
Whenever a flood-affected your home, it is always wise to call local property restoration companies for water mitigation and damage restoration to stay clear of contacting unsafe materials from floodwater.
Water-borne diseases
Most infections with water-borne bacteria can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, fever, and stomach issues. The following are the most common bacteria found in floodwater.
- C. parvum
- Cholera
- E. coli
- Salmonella
- Shigella
An individual can contact water-borne bacteria by eating or drinking something with bacteria. It’s less likely to be airborne. Flood runoff or sewer problems might contaminate water sources or food. Let professional restoration companies like the one you’ll find here deal with any water damage; they are capable of correctly cleaning and sanitizing your place and preventing cross-contamination on clean areas.
Heat Stress
An additional problem climate change brings to the Midwest States is the sweltering summer seasons. Several health problems can arise from scorching weather. The elderly are at greater risk of the health hazards of hot weather. There are higher occurrences of fatalities from heart attacks in hotter weather. These are several of the heat-related health problems:
- Heat rash
- Heat cramps
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
Of course, increasingly hot summers likewise affect agricultural output. We’ll be seeing reduced yields of corn and soybeans in the years ahead. Severe dry spells and floods would hurt crop yields generally.
Conclusion
Storms and floods can disrupt electricity and can contaminate the water supply. This puts tension on health centers, pharmacies, and dialysis facilities that count on a steady water and electricity supply. Drought and heat waves put the elderly and people with comorbidities at higher health hazards.
Every home needs to keep an emergency preparedness kit, know the signs and symptoms of heat stress, check on family and friends on hot days and severe weather conditions. And minimize the carbon footprints by driving less, planting trees, and making your home energy efficient.
