New research highlights that investigating the effects of previous tropical storms is crucial for helping communities prepare for future storms. A central focus of this study is to examine the types and amounts of rainfall caused by these storms in impacted areas, which is essential to understand how they affect local water supplies. By reducing severe damage, such preparation could allow more individuals to stay in their home countries. This becomes increasingly pressing as climate change is anticipated to increase the frequency and intensity of tropical storms by 10-15%.
Tropical storms, including hurricanes, are not only frightening but also result in substantial costs for coastal areas in the United States, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. In addition to the immediate destruction, these storms cause major economic setbacks and force people to relocate. In 2023, for instance, 2.5 million people were involved in climate migration linked to these storm events, attempting to cross the southern U.S. border.
Research led by The University of Texas at Arlington stresses the importance of assessing the impacts of past tropical storms to help communities enhance their preparedness for upcoming storms. A key aspect of the study involves evaluating the types and volumes of precipitation linked to storms in affected areas, which helps in understanding their influence on local water resources. By decreasing extensive damage, this kind of preparation could help more individuals stay in their home countries, a necessity given that climate change is predicted to increase the frequency and severity of tropical storms by 10-15%.
“We understand that tropical storms significantly affect community water resources, yet few studies have investigated the water runoff from these storms and their effects on local populations — that’s where our research contributes,” remarked Ricardo Sánchez-Murillo, the primary author and an associate professor of earth and environmental sciences at UTA.
Dr. Sánchez-Murillo and his team, in conjunction with global partners from hurricane-prone areas including the Bahamas, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago, examined water “fingerprints,” or isotopic compositions. By analyzing isotopic data from historical storms, they gained valuable perspectives on how precipitation from storms affects regional water cycles, enriching our understanding of these weather phenomena.
“Our thorough analysis of isotopic compositions in precipitation derived from tropical storms offers an enhanced understanding of the role these weather systems play in regional water cycles and climate forecasts,” Sánchez-Murillo stated. “These findings highlight the importance of taking storm-related precipitation into account. We believe that comprehending these precipitation impacts will empower communities to better prepare for severe storms and manage local water resources both prior to and following the storms.”
The research team, which includes scholars from various institutions such as Brown University, Clemson University, Florida International University, Humboldt University, Oberlin College, Rice University, the University of Aberdeen, the University of Houston, the University of Tennessee, and Washington State University, plans to broaden its investigation. Upcoming studies will explore evaporation and groundwater recharge patterns that result from tropical storms, as well as how the trajectories of these storms may change due to climate change.
“This research has far-reaching implications for enhancing our understanding of how tropical storms influence water resources and climate, leading to improved forecasts and management strategies,” Sánchez-Murillo noted.
This research received funding from grants from the International Atomic Energy Agency and an Early Career Fellowship from the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
