Being marked as the greatest climate event in New Zealand’s history, the Auckland floods produced about 9.8 inches of rain on January 27 and officially set a record as the city’s wettest day. As the week progressed, there was some additional pouring; however, the worst seemed to have stopped on Friday. This catastrophic event has resulted in the destruction of hundreds of infrastructures, deaths and injuries to many, and significant payments to repair the damage.

The immense amount of rainfall caused landslides and river overtopping, which led to hundreds of people having to evacuate. According to VICE World News, more than 500 homes have been severely damaged, and over 1,000 have gone through minor damage. Nearby schools, businesses, and even the Auckland International Airport have closed down temporarily due to the flood waters entering the streets and roads. The Guardian also states that due to the severe wreckage of the floods, many officials have placed red placards-which indicate that entry is prohibited without council approval-on 138 buildings.

Yellow placards were placed on 542 other buildings, which limit their use or occupancy due to hazardous conditions. Over 600 flood-damaged cars have been removed from the streets due to a series of fallen trees and mud litter. Economists also proclaim that the recent flooding can lead to a spike in inflationary pressures for New Zealand as the demand for fresh produce, rents, and transportation increases during this time.

On a broader aspect, recent natural disasters, whether the Auckland floods or the Louisiana and Mississippi tornados, have been occurring on a greater scale. More tornado reports are expected to be confirmed in the next few weeks.

As the temperature of our global state continues to rise, these inconsistent weather changes are expected to become more common. Global temperatures over 1.5 degrees Fahrenheit will result in habitual droughts, floods, hurricanes, and other disasters. The annual global temperature increase is about 0.32 degrees Fahrenheit, and according to Climate NASA, our current global temperature stands at 1.6 degrees Fahrenheit.

Despite being almost two months into the new year, several floods and tornadoes have taken place across the US. The US is not the only country that has been affected by this issue, as other countries around the globe are also experiencing inconsistent weather patterns. Global warming is continuing to pose a threat to the world, and we must continue to take action to reduce it.

Eunice Kang Arnold O. Beckman High School 11th Grade

<Eunice Kang Arnold O. Beckman High School 11th Grade>