The Carolinas recently experienced a deluge of rain that led to severe flooding in parts of North Carolina, catching many residents off guard. Forecasters had predicted heavy rainfall of 6 to 8 inches, but a narrow band received an astonishing 20 inches, resulting in what meteorologists described as a 1,000-year flood.
Scientists have long warned that such extreme rainfalls are a consequence of climate change. As the atmosphere warms, its capacity to hold water increases, leading to more intense rainfall in shorter periods of time.
