Texas Tops 10 States Ravaged by Extreme Weather in 2011

Published: December 20th, 2011

No. 8 Connecticut

Tropical Storm Irene brought flooding and massive power failures to CT but the record October snowstorm did the most damage taking out power to over 700,000 people . Credit: bbcamericangirl/flickr.

Snowstorms aren’t usually news in Connecticut — but 2011 was hardly usual. Hartford was buried under a record-setting 57 inches of snow in January, making it the all-time snowiest month in state history. Then, nearly two months before the next winter began, Connecticut was blasted by the worst October snowstorm in 200 years. The heavy wet snow, which cost the state more than $500 million, sent trees and tree limbs falling onto power lines, leaving more than 700,000 people without heat or lights. In the worst power failure in state history, MANY didn’t get their electricity back for more than a week.

In August, Tropical Storm Irene pummeled the state with heavy rains and gale-force winds that caused devastating floods and turned the lights out on more than 650,000 people. Some areas were pounded with as much as eight inches of rain in just 24 hours.

Page 9 of 11 pages « First < 7 8 9 10 11 > Last »

Posted in Causes, Impacts, Projections, Climate, Extremes, Drought, Flooding, Heat, Hurricanes, Wildfires, Health, Weather, Extreme Weather, Society, States of Change, United States

Comments

By Peter Mizla
on December 20th, 2011

I live in Connecticut- and we have been hit by 3 weather events of such, that in most of the years I have lived here- where extraordinary. The scary thought is is; this is the ‘new norm’- and what will be the new extreme?

By John Russell (Devon, UK)
on December 21st, 2011

Scientists need to prioritise research on, and demonstrating links between, extreme weather events and global warming. This ‘missing link’, if it can be proved, is our best chance of convincing people that we have to start doing something about curbing GHG emissions.

Denial will not survive in the face of extreme weather that is affecting people’s lives more than they seem to believe green policies will.

By Michael Givel (Norman, Oklahoma, 73072)
on December 24th, 2011

On the other hand, according to a number of the Oklahoma political class, social elite, and the 1% (particularly as a rabidly pro-oil reality), there is no such thing as scientific claims of global climate change. This view is now just not an argument or a self-interested talking point designed to keep big oil safe from more regulations and taxes. It is a governmental policy that is detrimental to the greater good of Oklahoma. Who can forget, for example, the famous line earlier this year by Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin who told the state to “pray” in the middle of the severe heat and drought? Praying as we know and as was quickly forgotten by many did not do anything.

By Derek (Skiatook,OK,USA)
on February 4th, 2012

I am 29 years old and Oklahoma to me had the most extreme weather changes of 2011. There is only one year I can remember that could come close, but not worse than was 1990. I was in 7th grade and it was a hot 93degree day at school, but gusty sustained winds of 50 MPH. Later on that night severe storms hit our area in north central oklahoma and a tonado blew our whole town away and then to top it off we had 10 inches of snow with it being 17 degrees the next afternoon. Anyways 2011 was even more extreme to me because our town in january had one storm drop 25 inches of snow and reach -14 degrees than a week and half later we had 27 inches of snow and was -30 degrees which the state record for the day was -31. Then 3 weeks later it was 89 degrees and sunny. Tornado season wasnt the most extreme, but the summer had yet shown itself to us. With our highest temputure reaching 117 with some humidity. It was horrible than to have a 5.9 earthquake to top it all off just shows how extreme Oklahoma weather can be. So in saying we had the coldest recordings ever, most snow, largest hail 6”, fastest wind speed, lowest temp, largest earthquake and the worst drought since 1921 right before the worst drought ever known. It makes you wonder what can be happening and I have thought through everything and maybe we are recycling back to the dirty 30’s. We are very tough people here and would not trade it for the world. We will make it through anything. On the last note I can remember one summer night there were millions of locusts all over the roads and were flying and landing all over you. People were hitting running over them like candy in a parade. Something is changing and we will make it through.

Name (required):

Email (required):

City/State/Zip:

Enter the word you see in the image below: