Did you hear about the Major Disaster Declaration last week over the severe flooding in Yellowstone Park?
Last week, US President Biden approved Montana’s request for a major disaster declaration, which sets in motion federal aid for the three counties devastated by severe flooding in Yellowstone Park.
Per the Washington Post, the unprecedented destruction has left many people in the region uneasy about their futures. Extreme weather, from record-breaking heat waves to raging wildfires to more powerful hurricanes, is accelerating as global temperatures rise, destroying livelihoods and putting strain on all kinds of communities just like Yellowstone. Recent news are reporting many residents being stranded and lost their homes.
From one of my research studies on severe flooding (upcoming in-press publication coming soon) included interviews and focus groups of people who were flooded in the UK. From this research, many people reported feeling skeptical after a severe flood that change for the best will happen to them locally despite the news coverage and financial support (which tend to be limited amount and difficult to access). Some of this skeptical feeling was said to be connected to lack of awareness and support felt once the news coverage and financial support disappeared.