Climate science and early warnings key to saving lives

“Early-warning systems work,” he told the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva. “They give farmers the power to protect their crops and livestock. Enable families to evacuate safely. And protect entire communities from devastation.” “We know that disaster-related mortality is at least six times lower in countries with good early-warning systems in place,” the UN chief […]

Tsunami alert highlights worth of global early warning system

Tsunami alert highlights worth of global early warning system

While the UN-backed International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported that there had been no damage to Japan’s nuclear facilities after an 8.8 magnitude quake was recorded off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, coastal communities have been taking no chances and evacuating to higher ground or moving further inland. Alerts were sent out within a few minutes of the […]

‘Very limited time to react’: Texas flash floods expose challenges in early warning

‘Very limited time to react’: Texas flash floods expose challenges in early warning

The UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) said that the tragedy highlights growing global challenges around extreme rainfall, warning dissemination and community preparedness. Flash floods are the most lethal form of flooding, responsible for over 5,000 deaths annually and 85 per cent of all flood-related fatalities worldwide, according to WMO data, and result in economic losses […]