Currently — October 28th, 2021

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Floods in the Sicilian city of Catania, sent cars floating down main roads after a powerful cyclonic storm dumped almost a foot of rain onto Sicily over the course of just a few hours. 

Meteorologists say that the extreme rains were brought on by a “medicane” or “mediterranean hurricane” which refers to a storm that is shorter and smaller than a hurricane but often brings strong winds and torrential rain.

Italy’s Department for Civil Protection issued a red alert in parts of Sicily as well as Calabria on Monday and Tuesday. This is the highest level warning. Two deaths have been reported. 

These floods are unprecedented, according to leaders in Sicily. However, these “unprecedented” events are starting to become the norm as climate change makes extreme weather a nightmarish part of our everyday lives. We need our leaders to therefore take rapid and unprecedented action to address this crisis. — Abbie Veitch

A rise in a deadly disease called Valley fever that is spread via fungus is on the rise in the West— researchers say that climate change is to blame. 

Currently spoke with Zoya Teirstein, a staff reporter at Grist, who reported on the impact of the fungus.

She said that many people have a hard time receiving a diagnosis due to the disease being an “emerging illness”. Many doctors are not even aware of the disease, despite the fact that cases are skyrocketing.

“​​In periods of intense rain, followed by intense drought— which is a symptom of extreme weather fuelled by climate change— it really impacts this fungus and makes it thrive,” said Teirstein. “Then it dries it out and the spores get into the air, and people breathe it in… so cases are really on the rise.”

Research is still limited, however, it is clear that Valley fever has a greater effect on certain groups of people including pregnant people, the immunocompromised, African Americans, and Filipinos.

To read the full story from Teirstein in Grist click here. — Abbie Veitch