Two major winter snow and ice storms hit the south particularly hard in February 2021 causing 237 confirmed fatalities, most of which were in Texas. The Category 3 winter storms (February 13-17 and February 15-20) were followed by a cold wave that made recovery efforts difficult. The storm set record snowfall for a two-day period in Seattle, WA and Portland, OR and record low temperatures ranging from -2 ֯ F in Dallas, TX, -14 ֯ F in Oklahoma City, and -20 ֯ F in Fayetteville, AR. The storm contributed to a severe cold wave overwhelming the state’s power grid. The storm left almost 10 million people without power on average for 4 days. As frozen pipes began to thaw, many burst. There was significant damage in North Texas from burst water pipes, where the Marshallese community in Keehne, TX was affected. People faced a disruption in food distribution, a shortage of clean drinking water, and difficulty staying warm. Many people died from exposure to the cold weather or fatal mistakes in attempts to generate heat. The state’s infrastructure, well prepared to evacuate in case of hurricanes or heat, was not adapted for a cold weather event like this. Knowing what to do as individuals and families can also make a big difference.
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Ta en aikuj jeļā n̄an bōbrae im kōjparok eok ilo ien an ļap m̧oļo?
Ilo ien an ļap m̧oļo, pād wōt loan em. N̄e kwōj aikuj driwōj n̄an nabōj, ekōņak bujin nuknuk keņaak, klob, at, im sikab. Jon̄an kiaj ilo wa ko en jimattan bwe eban kwōj. Bareinwōt kōjbarok am̧ ettōr ion ial bwe emaron̄ wōr aij ie im lale jikin etetal n̄e elōn̄ jiņo im aij.
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There have always been rains and drought, but climate change means more frequent events and more intense events that are outside the normal weather cycles. When there is rain the rainfall is heavier, and droughts last longer. We are not only seeing a rise in sea level and warming oceans, but also heat waves and cold waves. At a crucial moment in the conversation around climate change, the Marshall Islands persuaded 60 other countries to join together in a High Ambition Coalition to advance the most progressive proposals for climate adaptation. Tony deBrum, Foreign Minister of the Marshall Islands, called any agreement allowing more than 1.5 degrees of global warming a death sentence. Together with other small countries, they created enough momentum and energy that the convinced the United States, India, and Brazil. In 2015, 195 countries agreed to progressive climate action at the COP21 Summit in Paris. The COP-26 (the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference) in November 2021 was the first real look at whether the Paris Agreement is working.
This all started with an increase in carbon emissions and other greenhouse gases, starting in the late 1700s. Primarily driven by industry and manufacturing, this has raised the average global temperature by 1 degree Fahrenheit in the last 50 years. Though natural cycles of air pollutants have protected Arkansas from warming in the last 50 years, the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission has predicted an increase in heat waves particularly in Northwest Arkansas. Flooding and droughts continue to be the largest concern for Arkansas (www.19january2017snapshot.epa.gov) while Washington and Oregon has been dealing with drought and extreme heat. Winters have also been unpredictable. Last winter, NWA also saw record cold temperatures. In reflection on this, Chikin Meļeļe will continue to write about climate change at the individual level with information on how to adapt and prepare for extreme weather like winter storms, tornadoes, heat waves and wildfires.
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What do you need to know to stay safe in cold weather?
In unseasonable or extreme cold weather, stay inside. If you must go outside, wear several layers of lightweight warm clothing, mittens, hat, and scarf. Keep gas tanks half full to avoid freezing and take caution if traveling on icy or snowy walkways or roads. Be aware that there is danger in running cars or using generators, camp stoves or other gas-burning devices in enclosed spaces from carbon monoxide. Homeowners should also take precautions to avoid pipes from freezing and bursting.