This month began with dramatic displays of nature's intensity, unpredictability and deadliness. Extraordinary atmospheric conditions released 1.8 trillion gallons of rain in and around Texas Hill Country, west of Austin, on July 4. Four months worth of rain fell in just a few hours, according to an estimate, and quickly created flash floods during post-midnight darkness. The Guadalupe River rose from three feet to 34 feet in about 90 minutes, according to data from a water gauge in Comfort, Texas. Homes, vehicles, children's camps and other sites were badly damaged or washed away by surging water. The confirmed death toll is 132, with over 160 people missing.

Scientists said it's the latest reminder that climate change, which is linked to use of fossil fuels (oil, methane and natural gas), can amplify the effect of heavy, slow-moving thunderstorms. Flash floods also hit New Mexico and North Carolina last week, days after the Texas tragedy.

Extreme flooding happens more frequently around the globe as the planet warms and the atmosphere is able to hold more moisture. The Gulf of Mexico, which borders Texas, has become significantly warmer in recent years. "This kind of record-shattering rain event is precisely that which is increasing the fastest in warming climate," says Daniel Swain at the University of California in Los Angeles. Several dangerous floods hit Texas earlier this year, and 2024 brough a record number of flash flood emergencies around the country. This month’s disaster is "exactly what the future is going to hold," says Andrew Dessler, director of the Texas Center for Extreme Weather at Texas A&M University. "As this warm, moist air flows into the storm and starts to ascend in thunderstorms, all of the water gets wrung out. . . . As long as we continue to burn fossil fuels, this isn't going to get better. This is going to get worse."

At his Department of Atmospheric Sciences office in College Station, Texas, Professor Dressler adds: "We should be looking forward in time and saying, 'How do we keep this from getting worse?'" He urges a swifter shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. A similar message comes from Jennifer Marlon, a senior research scientist at the Yale School of the Environment, who says local, state and federal leaders should take climate change seriously. "Citizens can ask leaders how they are helping to transition our country to renewable energy, which is the only thing that will address the root cause of this problem," she suggests.

Scientist says: "Using gas-powered cars and making electricity by burning methane adds massive amounts of heat-trapping carbon dioxide to the air. That heat fuels more violent weather because warmer air holds more water. More intense rainfall means more flooding." -- Jennifer Marlon of the Yale School of the Environment

Past Cabinet member says: "Don't tell me we ‘can't afford’ to address the climate crisis. The truth is we can’t afford not to." — Robert Reich, former Labor secretary (1993-97), on social media last week.

TV weathercaster says: "As far as alarming happenings brought on by the changing climate, you haven't seen anything yet." -- John Morales, longtime meteorologist at NBC station in Miami