3 Things To Know Today

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Photo: Science Photo Library RF

1 Tropical Storm Hilary Makes Landfall In The Southwest

Tropical Storm Hillary made landfall in Southern California last night bringing with it flooding and even multiple earthquakes. Hilary marked the first time a tropical storm has touched down in California since 1939, losing its hurricane statues right before moving onshore in Long Beach. As of last night, the storm has dropped more than six inches of rain on parts of Los Angeles County and more than three inches of rain on parts of Ventura County. Millions of SoCal residents received urgent back-to-back emergency alerts on their phones regarding flash flood warnings, followed by an earthquake warning. Preparing for the hurricane-turned-tropical-storm, Governor Gavin Newsom’s office declared a state of emergency for most of Southern California "to support faster recovery and response efforts." Newsom says 7,500 personnel were activated in southern California, including nearly 4,000 California Highway Patrol members and 2,000 Caltran workers.

2 Five Deaths Reported From Flesh-Eating Bacteria In Tampa Bay, Florida

Five people in Florida are dead after contracting a rare, flesh-eating bacteria in the waters near Tampa Bay. The bacterium is called Vibrio vulnificus and it occurs naturally in warm seawater. There have been 25 contracted cases, along with the five deaths since January 2023. Last year, there were 74 reported cases and 17 deaths. Most occurred in Lee County after Hurricane Ian flooded the community. How is it Contracted? According to Florida Health, a person can get infected with Vibrio vulnificus by going into seawater with an open wound, as well as by eating raw shellfish… particularly oysters. Though experts say this infection isn’t common, health officials warn citizens not to enter the water with new cuts or scrapes since bacteria can enter the bloodstream quickly. Bloodstream infections are fatal half the time. Experts also say to seek medical help quickly if you believe you may be infected. Common symptoms of this particular bacteria include diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and skin infections. Those with healthy immune systems are likely to experience a mild infection. Meanwhile, anyone with a compromised immune system or chronic liver disease, are more prone to life-threatening symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure, , skin lesions and septic shock. Last week, the New York State Health Department released guidelines for residents to identify vibrio vulnificus after it claimed the lives of one New York resident and two people in Connecticut over the summer. Governor Kathy Hochul described the flesh-eating bacteria as “extraordinarily dangerous." Hochul said in a recent press release that “As we investigate further, it is critical that all New Yorkers stay vigilant and take responsible precautions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, including protecting open wounds from seawater and for those with compromised immune systems, avoiding raw or undercooked shellfish which may carry the bacteria.”

3 Record-Setting Temps Plague Texas

The US has broken another record, but not in a good way. More record-shattering temperatures hit Texas over the weekend with the thermometer reaching 108 in Houston. This broke a 114-year-old record that held steady at 107 degrees. Yesterday was also the 22nd day in a row of 100+ degree weather. And then there’s the drought…Along with the high temperatures, Houston also hasn’t experienced any rain in 45 days and counting. Meanwhile, Texas power prices have soared 6,000% as the fresh heat strangles the state. Electricity prices reportedly jumped from $75 Wednesday to $4,750 per megawatt-hour on Thursday according to data from grid operator Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). At that level, prices represent the highest in over than five weeks, according to the report. Beyond Texas, The National Weather Service set an excessive heat warning over the weekend for parts of Arkansas, Louisiana, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska. Heat advisories or watches were also in place in parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin and South Dakota. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports 600 to 700 heat deaths a year in the US. However, experts say the various ways that more than 3,000 counties calculate deaths caused by heat means that we don’t really know how many people die in this country each year due to them.


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