Climate Connections When drought meets deluge
Oct 16, 2025
Droughts and floods are becoming two sides of the same coin as climate change takes hold. The paradox of experiencing both extremes simultaneously is discussed, highlighting regions like Texas Hill Country. There, catastrophic floods struck while the area was still reeling from the impacts of prolonged drought. Experts delve into how warming intensifies these extremes, causing longer dry spells and heavier, more intense rain. This dynamic leaves communities grappling with the challenges of both drought and deluge.
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Texas Floods Follow Prolonged Drought
- Texas Hill Country had catastrophic floods in June and July after years of drought.
- Joel Lisenby described grass greening and soils saturating but reservoirs and aquifers still showing long-term drought impacts.
Plan Beyond Short Intense Storms
- Recognize that a few torrential storms do not end a drought and plan water management accordingly.
- Prepare for continued low reservoir and aquifer levels even after surface greening and saturated soils.
Warmer Climate Creates Opposing Extremes
- Warming climate intensifies both harsher droughts and heavier rainfall events.
- Longer, drier dry periods combine with larger, shorter bursts of rain to produce simultaneous drought and flood risks.