ASSOCIATED PRESS • May 19, 2023
The floods that sent rivers of mud tearing through towns in Italy’s northeast are another drenching dose of climate change’s all-or-nothing weather extremes, something that has been happening around the globe, scientists say. The coastal region of Emilia-Romagna was struck twice, first by heavy rain two weeks ago on drought-parched ground that could not absorb it, causing rivers to overflow overnight, followed by this week’s deluge that killed 14 and caused damages estimated in the billions of euros. In a changing climate, more rain is coming, but it’s falling on fewer days in less useful and more dangerous downpours. Scientists say flash floods will become more likely as the planet warms.