""We are seeing increased storms and increased water volumes," says Laura Holbrook, the director of the flood protection authority for Luzerne County, Pa, where the town is located."
""The heaviest rainstorms in the Northeast drop 60% more rain today than they did in the mid-20th century," according to the National Climate Assessment."
""It definitely keeps me up at night," Holbrook says, expressing concern over the urgency of upgrading the levee to prevent potential disasters."
""Local authorities sank hundreds of thousands of dollars into designs for the levee upgrades, in the hopes of quickly applying for $11 million in federal funds to complete the repairs.""
Duryea, PA is at risk of catastrophic flooding due to rising river levels exacerbated by climate change and development. A levee built in the 1970s needs to be raised by 3 feet for adequate protection. Increased storm frequency and volume have been observed, with significant rainfall increases noted in the Northeast. Local authorities have invested in levee upgrade designs but face challenges accessing federal funds due to withheld disaster preparedness grants. Recent legal actions have prompted FEMA to restart federal grant programs.
Read at www.npr.org
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