Tornadoes, climate change and why Dixie is the new Tornado Alley
The ConversationAPR 2022
It's rare to see a tornado strike near New Orleans, and there could be a climate connection. Some scientists believe that changing atmospheric conditions are fueling tornado outbreaks in the deep South.
It's easy to dismiss any extreme weather event as a consequence of climate change, but in reality they're usually influenced by a myriad of factors that have nothing to do with it. More research is needed before we can establish any direct causal link between the two.
This is a "human-built environment" problem. Vulnerable southern communities typically live in more weak-framed houses compared to the central US. As the New Orleans tornado showed, it's vital for impoverished residents to have sturdy, resilient housing.