Hey, Tolliver, I've got news for you. What We are just about two thousand dollars away from our ten thousand dollars goal at Listen to the Middle dot com for all donations to be matched dollar for dollar. We asked you two weeks ago to help us raise ten thousand so it would become twenty thousand, and we are, as of the time of me saying this right now, at seven eight hundred and thirty five dollars toward the ten thousand. So help us get over the line. You can make any contribution. If everybody listening to this right now makes a you know, twenty five dollars contribution, we will have like a million dollars, no, fifty dollars, one hundred dollars, whatever you can do, do it right now. If you can, we thank you so much. If you've already given help us reach this goal at Listen to the Middle dot com, it's text deductible. Thank you so much and enjoy the show.

Hey, Tolliver, I've got news for you. What We are just about two thousand dollars away from our ten thousand dollars goal at Listen to the Middle dot com for all donations to be matched dollar for dollar. We asked you two weeks ago to help us raise ten thousand so it would become twenty thousand, and we are, as of the time of me saying this right now, at seven eight hundred and thirty five dollars toward the ten thousand. So help us get over the line. You can make any contribution. If everybody listening to this right now makes a you know, twenty five dollars contribution, we will have like a million dollars, no, fifty dollars, one hundred dollars, whatever you can do, do it right now. If you can, we thank you so much. If you've already given help us reach this goal at Listen to the Middle dot com, it's text deductible. Thank you so much and enjoy the show.

Time.

Time.

Welcome to the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson along with our house DJ Tolliver and Tolliver. We could do a show this hour about Elon Musk. We could do a show about Gaza. We can do a show about tariffs. There is just so much going on right now.

Welcome to the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson along with our house DJ Tolliver and Tolliver. We could do a show this hour about Elon Musk. We could do a show about Gaza. We can do a show about tariffs. There is just so much going on right now.

Jamie, listen, my birthday is this month and all I want is the gift of boredom. Please no more news, man, I can't.

Jamie, listen, my birthday is this month and all I want is the gift of boredom. Please no more news, man, I can't.

Do it well.

Do it well.

I will say, actually that we are going to do or have done, shows on the topics I just mentioned. But this week we're going to about to talk about something that didn't start on January twentieth and will not end when President Trump's term ends. That is the threat of natural disasters hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, and of course, wildfires. The recent fires in southern California cost at least twenty nine people their lives and damage totals are estimated north of two hundred and fifty billion dollars. The fires started and spread in an instant because of extremely dry conditions and winds nearing one hundred miles per hour. Here's NBCLA reporter Robert Kavassek who found man fleeing his home in the Palisades fire. That man was hopping on his bike with two paintings in hand.

I will say, actually that we are going to do or have done, shows on the topics I just mentioned. But this week we're going to about to talk about something that didn't start on January twentieth and will not end when President Trump's term ends. That is the threat of natural disasters hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, and of course, wildfires. The recent fires in southern California cost at least twenty nine people their lives and damage totals are estimated north of two hundred and fifty billion dollars. The fires started and spread in an instant because of extremely dry conditions and winds nearing one hundred miles per hour. Here's NBCLA reporter Robert Kavassek who found man fleeing his home in the Palisades fire. That man was hopping on his bike with two paintings in hand.

This is like a hurricane in the middle of a brush fire.

This is like a hurricane in the middle of a brush fire.

You've got people right there is.

You've got people right there is.

That a homeowner that's trying to leave.

That a homeowner that's trying to leave.

Is this your house?

Is this your house?

Yeah?

Yeah?

Which is your house?

Which is your house?

Yeah?

Yeah?

This is our house. Backyard's on fire.

This is our house. Backyard's on fire.

I'm out of here.

I'm out of here.

Oh my gosh.

Oh my gosh.

So what happened?

So what happened?

Is there anything we can do to help you?

Is there anything we can do to help you?

Sure you can take these paintings. I guess I can't ride with these.

Sure you can take these paintings. I guess I can't ride with these.

Listen, I'll take them for you.

Listen, I'll take them for you.

I work at NBC.

I work at NBC.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I'll make sure you get them. Just unbelievable. And on that night, the winds were so powerful that firefighters couldn't fly, they couldn't drop water from the air. As you know, many people have criticized the firefighting infrastructure, reservoirs, fire hydrant pressure, available trucks, But as La County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney explained to sixty Minutes, fire trucks and hydrants are no match for a firestorm like what occurt.

I'll make sure you get them. Just unbelievable. And on that night, the winds were so powerful that firefighters couldn't fly, they couldn't drop water from the air. As you know, many people have criticized the firefighting infrastructure, reservoirs, fire hydrant pressure, available trucks, But as La County Fire Chief Anthony Maroney explained to sixty Minutes, fire trucks and hydrants are no match for a firestorm like what occurt.

There's not enough fire engines for this.

There's not enough fire engines for this.

We think we've lost eight thousand structures, so times three fire engines each, that requires twenty six thousand fire engines. I don't think the state of California has twenty six thousand fire engines.

We think we've lost eight thousand structures, so times three fire engines each, that requires twenty six thousand fire engines. I don't think the state of California has twenty six thousand fire engines.

So, whether you live in a place that is threatened by wildfires or hurricanes or tornadoes, or droughts or flooding, which, by the way, is almost everywhere in the US. About ninety four percent of Americans live in a county that has gotten FEMA help for disasters since twenty eleven. We want to hear from you. We want to know if you feel you're prepared for a natural disaster or if you think we are as a country. Tolliver, how can people reach us?

So, whether you live in a place that is threatened by wildfires or hurricanes or tornadoes, or droughts or flooding, which, by the way, is almost everywhere in the US. About ninety four percent of Americans live in a county that has gotten FEMA help for disasters since twenty eleven. We want to hear from you. We want to know if you feel you're prepared for a natural disaster or if you think we are as a country. Tolliver, how can people reach us?

You can call us at eight four four for a middle that's eight four four four six four three three five three, or you can write in at Listen to the Middle dot com. And you can also comment on our new live stream on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.

You can call us at eight four four for a middle that's eight four four four six four three three five three, or you can write in at Listen to the Middle dot com. And you can also comment on our new live stream on YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitch.

Let's meet our panel. CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir is with us.

Let's meet our panel. CNN Chief Climate Correspondent Bill Weir is with us.

Bill, great to have you on the show. Jeremy Tolliver, how are you guys going to be with you?

Bill, great to have you on the show. Jeremy Tolliver, how are you guys going to be with you?

Doing great? And Kim Cobb, director of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, is with us as well. Kim, welcome to you.

Doing great? And Kim Cobb, director of the Institute at Brown for Environment and Society, is with us as well. Kim, welcome to you.

Oh, thanks so much for having me.

Oh, thanks so much for having me.

So before we get to the phoes, let's talk about some of the things that have come up because of the wildfires Bill where you reported on them. There has been criticism, as there is after every natural disaster, about the preparation and response. But this was like a hurricane of fire because of the wind. What more could have been done to prepare.

So before we get to the phoes, let's talk about some of the things that have come up because of the wildfires Bill where you reported on them. There has been criticism, as there is after every natural disaster, about the preparation and response. But this was like a hurricane of fire because of the wind. What more could have been done to prepare.

They are wrestling with that question right now, Jeremy. But I think it's really it starts with imagination. I think we lack the capacity to imagine an urban wildfire in Santa Ana wind season typically that those things don't overlap. Last year, there was too much water in Los Angeles, So we're living now on an overheating planet through these periods of weather whiplash where it's too much or not enough. And there was a reservoir near the Palisades that was closed for maintenance.

They are wrestling with that question right now, Jeremy. But I think it's really it starts with imagination. I think we lack the capacity to imagine an urban wildfire in Santa Ana wind season typically that those things don't overlap. Last year, there was too much water in Los Angeles, So we're living now on an overheating planet through these periods of weather whiplash where it's too much or not enough. And there was a reservoir near the Palisades that was closed for maintenance.

There was a cover that had ripped.

There was a cover that had ripped.

And just the fortuitous timing or unfortuitous timing of that is being investigated as well. But even if that was full, experts tell me it would have maybe saved a few houses around the edges, because once the Palisades and once the homes of from Sierra Madre almost to Pasadena became the fuel and you can't fly, there's nothing you know, ground crews can do. Humans have never stopped the Santa Anna wildfire. You just have to wait for the winds to change and for the weather to break. And so whether it's Leahina or Paradise, California a couple of years ago, or this one now, which to me was sort of the combination of both of those and then scaled up, it starts with realizing that these are not our father's fires, These are not our grandfather's fires anymore.

And just the fortuitous timing or unfortuitous timing of that is being investigated as well. But even if that was full, experts tell me it would have maybe saved a few houses around the edges, because once the Palisades and once the homes of from Sierra Madre almost to Pasadena became the fuel and you can't fly, there's nothing you know, ground crews can do. Humans have never stopped the Santa Anna wildfire. You just have to wait for the winds to change and for the weather to break. And so whether it's Leahina or Paradise, California a couple of years ago, or this one now, which to me was sort of the combination of both of those and then scaled up, it starts with realizing that these are not our father's fires, These are not our grandfather's fires anymore.

And the infrastructure.

And the infrastructure.

We've built, the way we built cities, the way we build fire hydrant systems, has to adapt right now. Well, you don't have anyhing about right now Altadena is looking about half of Alta Dina needs to be put in a landfill like half of a city, right and so if landfills can't handle the damage of these, we certainly the fire hydrants can't.

We've built, the way we built cities, the way we build fire hydrant systems, has to adapt right now. Well, you don't have anyhing about right now Altadena is looking about half of Alta Dina needs to be put in a landfill like half of a city, right and so if landfills can't handle the damage of these, we certainly the fire hydrants can't.

You don't have another city in this country that you have this kind of density right next to just wilderness, you know, hills that are covered in trees and brushed and everything else. Kim Cobb. President Trump has blamed water management. He even claimed falsely that there's some sort of valve to turn the water to southern California on that was turned off and to prove his point, he told the Army Corps of Engineers to release billions of gallons of water into the farms of central California that was being saved up for the dry season. But from your perspective, what is the right lesson to learn about water management forest management from these fires?

You don't have another city in this country that you have this kind of density right next to just wilderness, you know, hills that are covered in trees and brushed and everything else. Kim Cobb. President Trump has blamed water management. He even claimed falsely that there's some sort of valve to turn the water to southern California on that was turned off and to prove his point, he told the Army Corps of Engineers to release billions of gallons of water into the farms of central California that was being saved up for the dry season. But from your perspective, what is the right lesson to learn about water management forest management from these fires?

Yeah, I mean California has been a place that has been under acute drought pressure decades and that has resulted in a very close coordination of water resources. Accordingly so managed by city, but largely state and federal entities who have to make very carefully calibraty decision about how that very precious resource is used. And so, of course we have heard that there is no pipe linking the water release that Trump let go from those very precious reservoirs which are designed for emergency use by farmers in the dry summer months. There's no way that connects to LA There's simply no connection point. And so this was a massive waste of billions of dollars of water that may be sorely needed, and we'll have damaging effects later on this year. Of course, we can look at the design, as Bill was talking about, of our critical infrastructure that's not designed to respond to our present climate state, let alone of the climate states that we know are coming down the pike under continued warming for at least the next decades. Let's hope we can turn it around before then by reducing fossil fuel emissions. But we are woefully prepared for our climate of now. And that's not just for water resources and emergency firefighting efforts in LA. That is also for coastal cities around the country. We saw Ashville, of course, revisiting some of co decisions and zoning decisions. This is an A to Z type of opportunity for us to think critically about what does planning look like for short and long term and how do we attack emergency planning in response to respond to this climate emergency.

Yeah, I mean California has been a place that has been under acute drought pressure decades and that has resulted in a very close coordination of water resources. Accordingly so managed by city, but largely state and federal entities who have to make very carefully calibraty decision about how that very precious resource is used. And so, of course we have heard that there is no pipe linking the water release that Trump let go from those very precious reservoirs which are designed for emergency use by farmers in the dry summer months. There's no way that connects to LA There's simply no connection point. And so this was a massive waste of billions of dollars of water that may be sorely needed, and we'll have damaging effects later on this year. Of course, we can look at the design, as Bill was talking about, of our critical infrastructure that's not designed to respond to our present climate state, let alone of the climate states that we know are coming down the pike under continued warming for at least the next decades. Let's hope we can turn it around before then by reducing fossil fuel emissions. But we are woefully prepared for our climate of now. And that's not just for water resources and emergency firefighting efforts in LA. That is also for coastal cities around the country. We saw Ashville, of course, revisiting some of co decisions and zoning decisions. This is an A to Z type of opportunity for us to think critically about what does planning look like for short and long term and how do we attack emergency planning in response to respond to this climate emergency.

And we're on in Nashville, so I wonder if we're going to hear from somebody who went through a hurricane Aleen Bill weird. The other thing that's come up from Washington is that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been around since the late nineteen seventies, should be done away with. Do people think, and you've been reporting on many of these disasters, do people that you've spoken with think that FEMA is not doing a good job.

And we're on in Nashville, so I wonder if we're going to hear from somebody who went through a hurricane Aleen Bill weird. The other thing that's come up from Washington is that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which has been around since the late nineteen seventies, should be done away with. Do people think, and you've been reporting on many of these disasters, do people that you've spoken with think that FEMA is not doing a good job.

Well, it depends on the disaster, depends on the timing. There's sort of this natural five stages of grief people go through after the whole life has been upended, and one of those stages is anger, and a lot of times it's anger at officials, it's the response. There's plenty of people to be angry at in these but for the most part, I see them bringing critical services at times when they're most needed. And it all comes down to the commanders. It comes down to the boots on the ground, how they do it. I saw really wasteful efforts after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico where a runway full of bottle waters was left or rot in the sun because they had no way to distribute it there. But then I've seen other places disasters or FEMA is right there and people are really.

Well, it depends on the disaster, depends on the timing. There's sort of this natural five stages of grief people go through after the whole life has been upended, and one of those stages is anger, and a lot of times it's anger at officials, it's the response. There's plenty of people to be angry at in these but for the most part, I see them bringing critical services at times when they're most needed. And it all comes down to the commanders. It comes down to the boots on the ground, how they do it. I saw really wasteful efforts after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico where a runway full of bottle waters was left or rot in the sun because they had no way to distribute it there. But then I've seen other places disasters or FEMA is right there and people are really.

Grateful to have them.

Grateful to have them.

The idea that states can handle these on their own is that's the one that's going to sort of catch a lot of political headwind because as you were talking of two hundred and fifty billion dollars for one set of wildfires, I mean, these are and when you get into states. You know, in the Gulf States, they can't afford these. Mexico City, Florida, which got hit by Hurricane Michael I was walking around with the mayor. He said the cleanup would be ten times his annual budget for this little beachside town. So everybody's got to kick into these in a way that spreads the risk.

The idea that states can handle these on their own is that's the one that's going to sort of catch a lot of political headwind because as you were talking of two hundred and fifty billion dollars for one set of wildfires, I mean, these are and when you get into states. You know, in the Gulf States, they can't afford these. Mexico City, Florida, which got hit by Hurricane Michael I was walking around with the mayor. He said the cleanup would be ten times his annual budget for this little beachside town. So everybody's got to kick into these in a way that spreads the risk.

And the pain.

And the pain.

But FEMA is not the cavalry, and so and even I've been hearing this from many FEMA administrators that the idea that they're going to come riding over the hill and make you hole again is not accurate. They'll they'll get you a head start, but the more prepared, you know, the communities that have the most trust in each other and the science are the ones that come out the most unscathed on the other side, and FEMA is a bonus to them in those cases.

But FEMA is not the cavalry, and so and even I've been hearing this from many FEMA administrators that the idea that they're going to come riding over the hill and make you hole again is not accurate. They'll they'll get you a head start, but the more prepared, you know, the communities that have the most trust in each other and the science are the ones that come out the most unscathed on the other side, and FEMA is a bonus to them in those cases.

Will instant follow that start interrupt Jeremy.

Will instant follow that start interrupt Jeremy.

So if FEMA is done away with, what does like disastro responds look like after that? They're the only, you know, government agency I know that deals with that kind of thing.

So if FEMA is done away with, what does like disastro responds look like after that? They're the only, you know, government agency I know that deals with that kind of thing.

That's it.

That's it.

It would be state by state, I suppose, you know, I don't.

It would be state by state, I suppose, you know, I don't.

There's Trump has talked about just sort of reimbursing the states but letting them handle everything.

There's Trump has talked about just sort of reimbursing the states but letting them handle everything.

Letting them handle it.

Letting them handle it.

Sure, but when after a hurricane, I will I will stand on you know, in the Florida, Keys or somewhere with this and just watch the line trucks from from fifty states come rolling pie watch the first responders, the fire trucks, the heavy equipment from all over the country. It really is an all hands on deck situation nationally. And there's you know, mutual aid systems around the country. Maybe those could be propped up with federal funding. I don't know, but but it feels like in the middle of you know, we're being bombarded by these disasters at every front. The idea of gutting FEMA in the middle of this instead of maybe reforming it and trying to prop it up seems counterintuitive.

Sure, but when after a hurricane, I will I will stand on you know, in the Florida, Keys or somewhere with this and just watch the line trucks from from fifty states come rolling pie watch the first responders, the fire trucks, the heavy equipment from all over the country. It really is an all hands on deck situation nationally. And there's you know, mutual aid systems around the country. Maybe those could be propped up with federal funding. I don't know, but but it feels like in the middle of you know, we're being bombarded by these disasters at every front. The idea of gutting FEMA in the middle of this instead of maybe reforming it and trying to prop it up seems counterintuitive.

You know, the three states that have gotten the most money because of disasters are Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. All of course in Hurricane Alley, I guess we would call it Tolliver. This week in New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl, but it was twenty years ago this summer that Hurricane Katrina devastated.

You know, the three states that have gotten the most money because of disasters are Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. All of course in Hurricane Alley, I guess we would call it Tolliver. This week in New Orleans is hosting the Super Bowl, but it was twenty years ago this summer that Hurricane Katrina devastated.

The city Yeah, still the most expensive hurricane in US history. Here's President George W. Bush addressed in the nation from New Orleans after the storm.

The city Yeah, still the most expensive hurricane in US history. Here's President George W. Bush addressed in the nation from New Orleans after the storm.

In the life of this nation, we have often been reminded that nature is an awesome force, and that all life is fragile. Were the heirs of men and women who lived through those first terrible winters at Jamestown in Plymouth, who rebuilt Chicago after a great fire, and San Francisco after a great earthquake, who reclaimed the prairie from the dust bowl of the nineteen thirties. Every time the people of this land have come back from fire, flood, and storm to build anew.

In the life of this nation, we have often been reminded that nature is an awesome force, and that all life is fragile. Were the heirs of men and women who lived through those first terrible winters at Jamestown in Plymouth, who rebuilt Chicago after a great fire, and San Francisco after a great earthquake, who reclaimed the prairie from the dust bowl of the nineteen thirties. Every time the people of this land have come back from fire, flood, and storm to build anew.

I had forgotten about the winters at Jamestown, Tolliver. Yeah, we'll be right back with more of your calls on the Middle. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. If you're just tuning, in the Middle is a national call in show. We're focused on elevating voices from the middle geographically, politically, and philosophically, or maybe you just want to meet in the middle. This hour, we're asking you are you prepared for the next natural disaster? And are we as a country? And by the way, if you've been through a natural disaster. Have you come back from it? Telliver what's the number to call in?

I had forgotten about the winters at Jamestown, Tolliver. Yeah, we'll be right back with more of your calls on the Middle. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. If you're just tuning, in the Middle is a national call in show. We're focused on elevating voices from the middle geographically, politically, and philosophically, or maybe you just want to meet in the middle. This hour, we're asking you are you prepared for the next natural disaster? And are we as a country? And by the way, if you've been through a natural disaster. Have you come back from it? Telliver what's the number to call in?

It's eight four four for Middle that's eight four four four sixty four three three five three. You can also write to us to listen to the Middle dot Com, or you gain us on social media.

It's eight four four for Middle that's eight four four four sixty four three three five three. You can also write to us to listen to the Middle dot Com, or you gain us on social media.

I'm joined by Kim Cobb, director of the Institute at Brown for Environment in Society, and CNN Chief Climate correspondent Bill Weir. And the phones are lighting up. Let's go to Scotty, who's in Augusta, Georgia. Scotty, Welcome to the Middle.

I'm joined by Kim Cobb, director of the Institute at Brown for Environment in Society, and CNN Chief Climate correspondent Bill Weir. And the phones are lighting up. Let's go to Scotty, who's in Augusta, Georgia. Scotty, Welcome to the Middle.

Go ahead, Hello the rolling Pete Matab, Central Georgia.

Go ahead, Hello the rolling Pete Matab, Central Georgia.

So have you been through a natural disaster? Do you feel prepared?

So have you been through a natural disaster? Do you feel prepared?

Pellene survivor Yes, I was somewhat prepared thanks to getting back into camping, but nowhere near as prepared as I needed to be and will not be caught in that position again.

Pellene survivor Yes, I was somewhat prepared thanks to getting back into camping, but nowhere near as prepared as I needed to be and will not be caught in that position again.

What do you mean? How are you not prepared and how are you prepared?

What do you mean? How are you not prepared and how are you prepared?

Now?

Now?

Living two hundred and fifty miles inland and facing a storm that was twice the size of Trina and a category higher stronger than it was when it made landfall, we were just no one was. It was unprecedented events in caps, cataclysmic throughout in southeast, not just where I'm that.

Living two hundred and fifty miles inland and facing a storm that was twice the size of Trina and a category higher stronger than it was when it made landfall, we were just no one was. It was unprecedented events in caps, cataclysmic throughout in southeast, not just where I'm that.

And now, what have you done to get yourself better prepared?

And now, what have you done to get yourself better prepared?

Portable power, food and water stores, you know, just communication, plans of action, Everything different one eighty turns from what it had been because we just never expected we would ever have to be dealing with that two agencies. I've never figured I'd interact with FEMA and Red Cross I used to work for. Now, I can't say that I've interacted with both of them. I never thought I'd be doing that because of a natural disaster here.

Portable power, food and water stores, you know, just communication, plans of action, Everything different one eighty turns from what it had been because we just never expected we would ever have to be dealing with that two agencies. I've never figured I'd interact with FEMA and Red Cross I used to work for. Now, I can't say that I've interacted with both of them. I never thought I'd be doing that because of a natural disaster here.

And do you feel good about your interaction with them?

And do you feel good about your interaction with them?

Mostly do that. I think they got a bad rap on it. I think they do an, especially in our case, humongous job and did the best they can. I was always treated well, even though you might have hours and hours wait. You know, they were very helpful and did the most that they could to help you understand the process and get through it.

Mostly do that. I think they got a bad rap on it. I think they do an, especially in our case, humongous job and did the best they can. I was always treated well, even though you might have hours and hours wait. You know, they were very helpful and did the most that they could to help you understand the process and get through it.

Scotty, thanks for that call, Kim Cobb. One of the things Scotty brings up there has been reported on recently, which is the fact that these hurricanes are hitting inland, that some of the worst problems that come from them is not happening because of the storm surge. It's happening further inland with flooding.

Scotty, thanks for that call, Kim Cobb. One of the things Scotty brings up there has been reported on recently, which is the fact that these hurricanes are hitting inland, that some of the worst problems that come from them is not happening because of the storm surge. It's happening further inland with flooding.

Well, that's right, and I have to give a shout out to Georgian somebody who lived in Atlanta recently for eighteen years and had to live through some of those hurricanes that made it way too far inland and caused such destruction. And I think you're really alluding to the fact that these are unthinkable coincidences that we're seeing with fronts converging and extreme rainfall happening in places due to these storms going much further, much wetter than they ever have before, and it's challenging our imagination. We have no lived experience with this kind of climate extreme that's again fueled by fossil fuels. Science tells us that these links are very strong, and so I really want to call out what the color was talking about in terms of individual preparedness, and we also have to recognize the role for science and keeping people safe from these events. We have to rely on the National Weather Service. We take it for granted. We should not in this era. It is under attack as it sits under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but paying attention to the science and listening to how extremes are being fueled by climate change and the science of those physical links is a critically important part of challenging your imagination across the southeast, ross the drought and wildfire stricken Western United States, and even up into New England where we saw catastrophic flooding in recent years, for example across Vermont and last year here in Rhode Island of all places.

Well, that's right, and I have to give a shout out to Georgian somebody who lived in Atlanta recently for eighteen years and had to live through some of those hurricanes that made it way too far inland and caused such destruction. And I think you're really alluding to the fact that these are unthinkable coincidences that we're seeing with fronts converging and extreme rainfall happening in places due to these storms going much further, much wetter than they ever have before, and it's challenging our imagination. We have no lived experience with this kind of climate extreme that's again fueled by fossil fuels. Science tells us that these links are very strong, and so I really want to call out what the color was talking about in terms of individual preparedness, and we also have to recognize the role for science and keeping people safe from these events. We have to rely on the National Weather Service. We take it for granted. We should not in this era. It is under attack as it sits under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, but paying attention to the science and listening to how extremes are being fueled by climate change and the science of those physical links is a critically important part of challenging your imagination across the southeast, ross the drought and wildfire stricken Western United States, and even up into New England where we saw catastrophic flooding in recent years, for example across Vermont and last year here in Rhode Island of all places.

Well, and just to push on what you just said about the fact that it's under attack, you're worried about what Elon Musk and his people are doing in terms of going after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and what that may mean for our science and weather and climate situations.

Well, and just to push on what you just said about the fact that it's under attack, you're worried about what Elon Musk and his people are doing in terms of going after the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and what that may mean for our science and weather and climate situations.

Yeah, we already know, for example, that this administration is openly hostile to climate science and climate scientists. They would disregard the threat of global warming and diminish it, and with a drill baby, drill agenda, charge forward in a world where they can pretend to deny the science of climate change. And it doesn't care who's in the White House, It's going to march forward. It represents a clear and present danger to every single American to our health and well being, in safety, to our economy, into our national security. And so I think we need to recognize that these incredible federal servants who have been saving so many lives across these suite of horrific extremes we've all writtenessed in recent years, and they deserve a prominent shout out and they deserve the credit that we all take. So for granted, let's.

Yeah, we already know, for example, that this administration is openly hostile to climate science and climate scientists. They would disregard the threat of global warming and diminish it, and with a drill baby, drill agenda, charge forward in a world where they can pretend to deny the science of climate change. And it doesn't care who's in the White House, It's going to march forward. It represents a clear and present danger to every single American to our health and well being, in safety, to our economy, into our national security. And so I think we need to recognize that these incredible federal servants who have been saving so many lives across these suite of horrific extremes we've all writtenessed in recent years, and they deserve a prominent shout out and they deserve the credit that we all take. So for granted, let's.

Go to John, who's in Kansas City. John, welcome to the middle Are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

Go to John, who's in Kansas City. John, welcome to the middle Are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

I am now, but I definitely wasn't five years ago when I was hit by e F three tornado in the middle of the night in Nashville. What happened and well, I had about five minutes to get the kids to the hallway before it literally was on top of us, and I was laying on top of my seven year old daughter as it tried to suck us out of the house. And luckily there wasn't a scratch on us, but all the walls were gone, roof was gone, and it was just it was like a movie scene and just something you never thought you would go through. And I wasn't ready, and so now you know I've made steps to be ready this time.

I am now, but I definitely wasn't five years ago when I was hit by e F three tornado in the middle of the night in Nashville. What happened and well, I had about five minutes to get the kids to the hallway before it literally was on top of us, and I was laying on top of my seven year old daughter as it tried to suck us out of the house. And luckily there wasn't a scratch on us, but all the walls were gone, roof was gone, and it was just it was like a movie scene and just something you never thought you would go through. And I wasn't ready, and so now you know I've made steps to be ready this time.

Well, just tell me quickly, what kind of steps have you made to be ready this time?

Well, just tell me quickly, what kind of steps have you made to be ready this time?

So when I went to bed that night, I didn't even look at the weather. I didn't pay attention to the weather or anything like that. So now before I go to bed, I pay attention to the weather. I have an app on my phone that would wake me up, because you get that little notification from the Weather Service saying there's a tornado, but it's it's not very loud, and it won't necessarily wake you up unless you get one.

So when I went to bed that night, I didn't even look at the weather. I didn't pay attention to the weather or anything like that. So now before I go to bed, I pay attention to the weather. I have an app on my phone that would wake me up, because you get that little notification from the Weather Service saying there's a tornado, but it's it's not very loud, and it won't necessarily wake you up unless you get one.

Of those apps.

Of those apps.

So I'd get one of those apps. And I'm just a lot more like knowledgeable about what tornadoes are and when they may occur, so I can get my family to safety sooner. And now we have a basement. That's good too.

So I'd get one of those apps. And I'm just a lot more like knowledgeable about what tornadoes are and when they may occur, so I can get my family to safety sooner. And now we have a basement. That's good too.

Yeah, always good to have a basement in a tornado situation. John, thank you very much. Bill, we are We've now just heard from two people who do not live a long the coasts and have been dealing with real disasters. Nobody would say to them, well, you shouldn't build your house there again, because the tornado might head at a second time, or you know, the flooding might come one hundred miles inland.

Yeah, always good to have a basement in a tornado situation. John, thank you very much. Bill, we are We've now just heard from two people who do not live a long the coasts and have been dealing with real disasters. Nobody would say to them, well, you shouldn't build your house there again, because the tornado might head at a second time, or you know, the flooding might come one hundred miles inland.

That's interesting. You hear that a lot about managed retreat on the coast. Why are we paying to rebuild these you know beach towns. Well, it's everywhere now, you know, it's in the heartland. The science on tornadoes around climate change is the spottiest because they don't spend a lot of time on the ground the way hurricanes you can study them for a long time. But it seems like the tornado alley is shifting from the Great Plains.

That's interesting. You hear that a lot about managed retreat on the coast. Why are we paying to rebuild these you know beach towns. Well, it's everywhere now, you know, it's in the heartland. The science on tornadoes around climate change is the spottiest because they don't spend a lot of time on the ground the way hurricanes you can study them for a long time. But it seems like the tornado alley is shifting from the Great Plains.

Sort of towards the southeast.

Sort of towards the southeast.

There so people in regions that we would never thought about that before. It's just something to loom from the wisdom of those folks who have been through it before. And you know, I did a story recently on where are the climate havens? I actually wrote a book to my son about how to live on this planet we broke by accident.

There so people in regions that we would never thought about that before. It's just something to loom from the wisdom of those folks who have been through it before. And you know, I did a story recently on where are the climate havens? I actually wrote a book to my son about how to live on this planet we broke by accident.

For him, it starts like where do you live? What are the places?

For him, it starts like where do you live? What are the places?

And there's science that's you know, scientists who said forty seventh parallel like the north the line that goes like through Buffalo and Duluth and across to.

And there's science that's you know, scientists who said forty seventh parallel like the north the line that goes like through Buffalo and Duluth and across to.

The course West, the sweet.

The course West, the sweet.

Spot up there, and there's plenty of middle fresh water and the Great Lakes and all of that. But then there's but that is, that's no guarantee of what could happen in any of these places. And so it's it's it's the boy scout motto, you know, be prepared wherever.

Spot up there, and there's plenty of middle fresh water and the Great Lakes and all of that. But then there's but that is, that's no guarantee of what could happen in any of these places. And so it's it's it's the boy scout motto, you know, be prepared wherever.

I had a quick question for you, Jeremy. I'm sorry I keep jumping because I want to get to zecles, but I wanted to ask you. So we're talking about Hurricane Alley, what are some things like infrastructurally that the government can do to prepare people for hurricanes. I know, like a lot of these things already happening, but I just don't know personally, so I would like to know.

I had a quick question for you, Jeremy. I'm sorry I keep jumping because I want to get to zecles, but I wanted to ask you. So we're talking about Hurricane Alley, what are some things like infrastructurally that the government can do to prepare people for hurricanes. I know, like a lot of these things already happening, but I just don't know personally, so I would like to know.

Yeah, So I think when we think about the landscape for preparedness, we have to think about the many different layers that have to go into that. So, you know, first you're talking about zoning. You know, where are we building, how are we leveraging this science of what we know about extremes and the fact that they're getting work into that infrastructure planning. Again, we can talk about the water resources and out west, or we could talk about floodplaine regions in the southeastern United States. So that goes to zoning. Then you go to code, which is often set you know, could be set by state or local officials. What standards are we building too? We see, we see some incredible striking examples. We all saw about Hurricane Michael ripping through the Panhandle of Florida. Some houses left perfectly intact because they were built to a beyond code in recognition of that particular owner being concerned about wind thrust and storm search survived, So that goes to code, and then we can go to insurance.

Yeah, So I think when we think about the landscape for preparedness, we have to think about the many different layers that have to go into that. So, you know, first you're talking about zoning. You know, where are we building, how are we leveraging this science of what we know about extremes and the fact that they're getting work into that infrastructure planning. Again, we can talk about the water resources and out west, or we could talk about floodplaine regions in the southeastern United States. So that goes to zoning. Then you go to code, which is often set you know, could be set by state or local officials. What standards are we building too? We see, we see some incredible striking examples. We all saw about Hurricane Michael ripping through the Panhandle of Florida. Some houses left perfectly intact because they were built to a beyond code in recognition of that particular owner being concerned about wind thrust and storm search survived, So that goes to code, and then we can go to insurance.

My goodness, how much does that?

My goodness, how much does that?

Yeah? Yeah, forest store emerging from the palisades of course in Altadena, people left under insured by the shifting landscape under their own feet. And so, mark my words, we're going to see more of these kinds of storre worries. It's going to be a fever pitch. It already is in some of these devastated communities. People are going to be pushed out of generational homes. This is still going to be recalibrating for quite some time. There's a federal rolehill to play, of course, there's also state and local roles here. To play to keep community safe and keep people house.

Yeah? Yeah, forest store emerging from the palisades of course in Altadena, people left under insured by the shifting landscape under their own feet. And so, mark my words, we're going to see more of these kinds of storre worries. It's going to be a fever pitch. It already is in some of these devastated communities. People are going to be pushed out of generational homes. This is still going to be recalibrating for quite some time. There's a federal rolehill to play, of course, there's also state and local roles here. To play to keep community safe and keep people house.

Frankly, one of my favorite stories if I could JOm ahead and Jeremy, I'm sorry. The one of my favorite stories of somebody turning anxiety into action. Because Kim brought up Hurricane Michael. Was a woman named Annette Rubin who was an NFL wife. She met her husband, who played for the Seahawks and Seattle had never been through a hurricane, was a new mom. When Michael came, it shook her up so much that the next day she says, I can't do this six months a year.

Frankly, one of my favorite stories if I could JOm ahead and Jeremy, I'm sorry. The one of my favorite stories of somebody turning anxiety into action. Because Kim brought up Hurricane Michael. Was a woman named Annette Rubin who was an NFL wife. She met her husband, who played for the Seahawks and Seattle had never been through a hurricane, was a new mom. When Michael came, it shook her up so much that the next day she says, I can't do this six months a year.

What are you guys crazy? You guys went to bed, what is the you know?

What are you guys crazy? You guys went to bed, what is the you know?

She was googling what is the building code hurricane strength that my house can take and she realized it was not up to code even though she was in this brand new house. So with no experience in construction, she went down a rabbit hole looking for what houses survived and what were they made of. And she ended up starting a company that she imported this technology from Italy that uses sprayable stone basically the kind of you know, gunite that you would use to make a swimming pool. You put it on these insulated panels, and the thing is it can stand two hundred and fifty mile on hour winds. It's bomb proof, it's earthquake proof. And she's trying to spread the gospel of preparedness in you know, the Gulf Coast of Florida, where people don't think about this, don't think about shelter in these ways.

She was googling what is the building code hurricane strength that my house can take and she realized it was not up to code even though she was in this brand new house. So with no experience in construction, she went down a rabbit hole looking for what houses survived and what were they made of. And she ended up starting a company that she imported this technology from Italy that uses sprayable stone basically the kind of you know, gunite that you would use to make a swimming pool. You put it on these insulated panels, and the thing is it can stand two hundred and fifty mile on hour winds. It's bomb proof, it's earthquake proof. And she's trying to spread the gospel of preparedness in you know, the Gulf Coast of Florida, where people don't think about this, don't think about shelter in these ways.

But insurance is sure thinking about it this way.

But insurance is sure thinking about it this way.

So market forces are going to force these sorts of ideas.

So market forces are going to force these sorts of ideas.

The houses I saw in the Palisades that.

The houses I saw in the Palisades that.

In the middle of a burned out block look like they're right out of architectural Digest because they're designed in the fireroom specific, right, And it's so striking when you see that. And one of the more people see that, boy, that architect's phone is ringing off the hook.

In the middle of a burned out block look like they're right out of architectural Digest because they're designed in the fireroom specific, right, And it's so striking when you see that. And one of the more people see that, boy, that architect's phone is ringing off the hook.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Although I will say one of the things I've been reading is that if you outfed a house to be kind of fireproof, it might actually be the opposite of what you want to deal with earthquakes in the exact same location. Just that's what is good for earthquakes and bad for fires.

Although I will say one of the things I've been reading is that if you outfed a house to be kind of fireproof, it might actually be the opposite of what you want to deal with earthquakes in the exact same location. Just that's what is good for earthquakes and bad for fires.

And let's go to exactly.

And let's go to exactly.

Let's get to a call. Aaron is in Longmont, Colorado, Aeron Welcome to the middle go ahead.

Let's get to a call. Aaron is in Longmont, Colorado, Aeron Welcome to the middle go ahead.

Yeah. Yeah. So I'm a disaster volunteer also the author of How to Prepare For Everything, and I'm definitely not prepared, mainly because you disasters are by their nature overwhelming. It wasn't overwhelming, We'd call it an inconvenience, not a disaster. One of the frustrations that I experience is the politicians over promising what FEMA can do. FEMA is designed by public policy to write checks that are too small to too few people, too late, and they do a pretty good job of that and not even being tried. I mean, like really truly, it's arguably bad public policy to make the federal government be insure of all things. But from a humanitarian standpoint, that kind of stinks.

Yeah. Yeah. So I'm a disaster volunteer also the author of How to Prepare For Everything, and I'm definitely not prepared, mainly because you disasters are by their nature overwhelming. It wasn't overwhelming, We'd call it an inconvenience, not a disaster. One of the frustrations that I experience is the politicians over promising what FEMA can do. FEMA is designed by public policy to write checks that are too small to too few people, too late, and they do a pretty good job of that and not even being tried. I mean, like really truly, it's arguably bad public policy to make the federal government be insure of all things. But from a humanitarian standpoint, that kind of stinks.

So what would be your one piece of advice erin to people listening to this about how they can be more prepared as an emergency volunteer yourself.

So what would be your one piece of advice erin to people listening to this about how they can be more prepared as an emergency volunteer yourself.

So, number one, stop preparing for disasters. There are an endless number of disasters, and when we focus on disasters, it creates fear. We can't control the bad things that happen. If we could, we make sure bad things didn't happen. Instead, we can prepare for the disruptions they caused. Prepare for the power outage. It doesn't matter what caused it, just prepare for the disruptions. And the second is prepare together. Having a strong social connections. Strong social connections is a better indicator of both short term survivability and long term resilience in any other single factor, including working infrastructure of a seventy two hour.

So, number one, stop preparing for disasters. There are an endless number of disasters, and when we focus on disasters, it creates fear. We can't control the bad things that happen. If we could, we make sure bad things didn't happen. Instead, we can prepare for the disruptions they caused. Prepare for the power outage. It doesn't matter what caused it, just prepare for the disruptions. And the second is prepare together. Having a strong social connections. Strong social connections is a better indicator of both short term survivability and long term resilience in any other single factor, including working infrastructure of a seventy two hour.

Kit erin Thank you, Kim Cobb. What do you think about that?

Kit erin Thank you, Kim Cobb. What do you think about that?

I think that's very wise, so you know, you can think about what does it take to have a successful plan. We heard one of the callers talk about the importance of communication network that are established ahead of time, thinking about how you're going to manage charging devices that may be critical to hearing the latest information, to helping people in your community that need your assistance. So that is that kind of thing. Is that social network really rings true from what we've heard of regards to the callers here already. So I think that's a very important take home for folks here.

I think that's very wise, so you know, you can think about what does it take to have a successful plan. We heard one of the callers talk about the importance of communication network that are established ahead of time, thinking about how you're going to manage charging devices that may be critical to hearing the latest information, to helping people in your community that need your assistance. So that is that kind of thing. Is that social network really rings true from what we've heard of regards to the callers here already. So I think that's a very important take home for folks here.

You know, one thing I read that I think is a great piece of advice is if you have to leave your house in a hurry, grab your laundry basket, because you know you like those clothes you were wearing them before the laundry cat and your cat.

You know, one thing I read that I think is a great piece of advice is if you have to leave your house in a hurry, grab your laundry basket, because you know you like those clothes you were wearing them before the laundry cat and your cat.

Yes.

Yes.

Actually I was talking to somebody about the fires who said she brought the dog, but the cats could survive on their own if they had to. Then figure it out that the dog probably wouldn't. Okay, Sally is calling from Ashville, North Carolina. There we go, Sally. I assume you went through Helene.

Actually I was talking to somebody about the fires who said she brought the dog, but the cats could survive on their own if they had to. Then figure it out that the dog probably wouldn't. Okay, Sally is calling from Ashville, North Carolina. There we go, Sally. I assume you went through Helene.

I did.

I did.

I did.

I did.

Yep, we went through the whole eighteen days, no life, tricity, two weeks, snow water. It was a big surprise, but I was Uh. I just wanted to say, I really agree with a previous speaker that, I mean, folks here that that, at least that I know, have been so thankful for FEMA. There were when the National Guard came finally you know we're able to come in the power trucks. I mean, people were crying with tears, just so thankful. And I know that we had a pretty good experience with FEMA. But I do agree with the person who said that I think the expectations are too high. I think FEMA has done a great job. I think it would be a huge mistake nationally too. And FEMA and.

Yep, we went through the whole eighteen days, no life, tricity, two weeks, snow water. It was a big surprise, but I was Uh. I just wanted to say, I really agree with a previous speaker that, I mean, folks here that that, at least that I know, have been so thankful for FEMA. There were when the National Guard came finally you know we're able to come in the power trucks. I mean, people were crying with tears, just so thankful. And I know that we had a pretty good experience with FEMA. But I do agree with the person who said that I think the expectations are too high. I think FEMA has done a great job. I think it would be a huge mistake nationally too. And FEMA and.

Because you just.

Because you just.

Don't know where these things are going to happen. And Ashwell was a place where people came for a climate refuge, I mean this whole area. So yeah, I just I think that people have to have realistic expectations for FEMA. But I know that everybody was so appreciative of all the help that came, and it there's you know, there's not a lot of money in some of the areas and communities, and they would not have survived without all that help.

Don't know where these things are going to happen. And Ashwell was a place where people came for a climate refuge, I mean this whole area. So yeah, I just I think that people have to have realistic expectations for FEMA. But I know that everybody was so appreciative of all the help that came, and it there's you know, there's not a lot of money in some of the areas and communities, and they would not have survived without all that help.

Yeah, Sally, thank you. You know Bill where it's interesting to hear so many people call in and talk about FEMA because this is not the conversation that it seems like is going on in Washington about this issue, which could change very fast.

Yeah, Sally, thank you. You know Bill where it's interesting to hear so many people call in and talk about FEMA because this is not the conversation that it seems like is going on in Washington about this issue, which could change very fast.

Well that's the thing.

Well that's the thing.

The problem, you know, when one of our major parties really a plank, it seems in their platform, is to mistrust governments, you know, don't trust these agencies, that's their deep staters or whatever the case may be. You don't want to think about that when your roof is just blown off or you're you know, the River Arts District in Nashville is just washed away, and most people are I have to remind myself in these days that the book Lord of the Flies, which was required reading through us in junior high.

The problem, you know, when one of our major parties really a plank, it seems in their platform, is to mistrust governments, you know, don't trust these agencies, that's their deep staters or whatever the case may be. You don't want to think about that when your roof is just blown off or you're you know, the River Arts District in Nashville is just washed away, and most people are I have to remind myself in these days that the book Lord of the Flies, which was required reading through us in junior high.

It was written by a manic.

It was written by a manic.

Depressive racist, Okay, And when a real group of kids were took a boat out and were abandoned on a desert island or discovered a year later, they had a fully functioning society because we are wired to cooperate and people want to help. In these and the outpouring, you see the best of human nature. So some of the worst come out, but that gets the headlines. But the best of human nature is what I like to focus on. Look for the helpers, like mister.

Depressive racist, Okay, And when a real group of kids were took a boat out and were abandoned on a desert island or discovered a year later, they had a fully functioning society because we are wired to cooperate and people want to help. In these and the outpouring, you see the best of human nature. So some of the worst come out, but that gets the headlines. But the best of human nature is what I like to focus on. Look for the helpers, like mister.

Rodd, Look for the helpers, Taliver. We've been talking about disaster preparedness, but sometimes people don't listen to the warnings.

Rodd, Look for the helpers, Taliver. We've been talking about disaster preparedness, but sometimes people don't listen to the warnings.

Yeah.

Yeah.

In the case of the tornado they ripped through Jappla, Missouri and twenty eleven, many people ignored them. Here's a clip from a CBS news report.

In the case of the tornado they ripped through Jappla, Missouri and twenty eleven, many people ignored them. Here's a clip from a CBS news report.

The sirens sounded, but many people took no action.

The sirens sounded, but many people took no action.

That is destroyed.

That is destroyed.

It was tornado season after all, and residents were apparently decent ties to warnings. It's among the distressing findings from a government panel investigating the two hundred mile an hour twister that leveled entire neighborhoods.

It was tornado season after all, and residents were apparently decent ties to warnings. It's among the distressing findings from a government panel investigating the two hundred mile an hour twister that leveled entire neighborhoods.

Winn just took it like that and me and just turned me about one hundred and eighty degrees and set me down on the concrete.

Winn just took it like that and me and just turned me about one hundred and eighty degrees and set me down on the concrete.

Those interviewed felt the warnings didn't pertain to them or sought clarification for fore taking action losing precious minutes.

Those interviewed felt the warnings didn't pertain to them or sought clarification for fore taking action losing precious minutes.

Wow.

Wow.

And of course there were two times during the La Fires when residents got an accidental evacuation alert on their fire.

And of course there were two times during the La Fires when residents got an accidental evacuation alert on their fire.

I sure did.

I sure did.

Yeah, We'll be right back with more of the Middle. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. We're also available as a podcast in partnership with iHeart Podcasts on the iHeart Apple wherever you listen to podcasts, and this hour we're asking you whether or not you're prepared for the next natural disaster or whether our country is You can call us at eight four four four Middle that's eight four four six four three three five three, or you can reach out at Listen to the Middle dot com. My guests are CNN Chief Climate Responded, Bill Weir and Kim Cobb, director of the Institute A Brown for Environment and Society. And let's go to Hayden, who's in Cape Coral, Florida. Hayden, Welcome to the middle Go ahead.

Yeah, We'll be right back with more of the Middle. This is the Middle. I'm Jeremy Hobson. We're also available as a podcast in partnership with iHeart Podcasts on the iHeart Apple wherever you listen to podcasts, and this hour we're asking you whether or not you're prepared for the next natural disaster or whether our country is You can call us at eight four four four Middle that's eight four four six four three three five three, or you can reach out at Listen to the Middle dot com. My guests are CNN Chief Climate Responded, Bill Weir and Kim Cobb, director of the Institute A Brown for Environment and Society. And let's go to Hayden, who's in Cape Coral, Florida. Hayden, Welcome to the middle Go ahead.

Oh, Hayden, I'm from Cape Coral.

Oh, Hayden, I'm from Cape Coral.

Awesome and tell us are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

Awesome and tell us are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

I feel that my family is well prepared. We've been through about four or five living where we're at, and we just went through two ur three just this year with Ian and Helene. I think our family is well prepared because our fare. We just bought new hurricane proof windows for our house, even though our house is twenty years old.

I feel that my family is well prepared. We've been through about four or five living where we're at, and we just went through two ur three just this year with Ian and Helene. I think our family is well prepared because our fare. We just bought new hurricane proof windows for our house, even though our house is twenty years old.

Wow, and you're talking about your family, are you you're are?

Wow, and you're talking about your family, are you you're are?

How old are you?

How old are you?

I just turned eighteen?

I just turned eighteen?

Wow?

Wow?

Okay, so and you've already been through that many hurricanes in your life. That's amazing.

Okay, so and you've already been through that many hurricanes in your life. That's amazing.

Yep.

Yep.

My brother was born like five or six days after Trina.

My brother was born like five or six days after Trina.

Wow. Wow uh so.

Wow. Wow uh so.

And but you feel like you're more prepared now with your with the kind of the upgrades that your parents have put on the house.

And but you feel like you're more prepared now with your with the kind of the upgrades that your parents have put on the house.

Yes, And I feel that like we have more experience now because we've been through multiple different hurricanes. Even though each hurricane is different, we know what to expect.

Yes, And I feel that like we have more experience now because we've been through multiple different hurricanes. Even though each hurricane is different, we know what to expect.

Do you feel like you're gonna stay once you are out of the house? Are you going to stay in a place that's so prone to hurricanes.

Do you feel like you're gonna stay once you are out of the house? Are you going to stay in a place that's so prone to hurricanes.

I love Florida, so probably, but if I do decide to stay, I'm probably gonna buy a house or a place that's up to code.

I love Florida, so probably, but if I do decide to stay, I'm probably gonna buy a house or a place that's up to code.

Yeah, all right, Hayden, thank you very much for that call, Kim Cobb. You know, that just brings up a lot of things. One of them is that we just hear about how parents are supposed to talk to their kids when there's a disaster that's happening. Obviously, Hayden is eighteen there, but yeah, what do you what do you make of that? And his is attitude about this.

Yeah, all right, Hayden, thank you very much for that call, Kim Cobb. You know, that just brings up a lot of things. One of them is that we just hear about how parents are supposed to talk to their kids when there's a disaster that's happening. Obviously, Hayden is eighteen there, but yeah, what do you what do you make of that? And his is attitude about this.

Well, you know, it certainly reminds me of my four children at home this evening and the fact that they've inherited this world. I would that it weren't so. I would that we had listened to the science back when it was clear, crystal clear in the nineteen nineties that fossil fuels were driving warming that would drive this set of climate extremes to worse. And here we are. So that's my first and foremost sentiment. And it pains me greatly to think that over the next twenty years, over their lives as young adults, they're going to be witnessing an escalation in these kinds of disasters. But it also reminds me that they actually have been born into this. This is part of their lived experience. We can remember and talk about when we were small, it wasn't like this, and how much that challenges our ability to imagine what's possible with climate change. This generation they get it because they've lived it, and they've lived those headlines and that's all they know, and so it it does give me hope that we can come together lean into the science of resilience and all that it means for saving lives and protecting our economy today as well as buttressing for some of those worst case scenarios that may come to be by mid century. So that's really just my hope, and that caller helps me understand what's at risk, but also the fact that this generation is ready and that we owe it to them to do all we can to leverage the vastrobe of treasure of science that we have to protect them in our economy and our security.

Well, you know, it certainly reminds me of my four children at home this evening and the fact that they've inherited this world. I would that it weren't so. I would that we had listened to the science back when it was clear, crystal clear in the nineteen nineties that fossil fuels were driving warming that would drive this set of climate extremes to worse. And here we are. So that's my first and foremost sentiment. And it pains me greatly to think that over the next twenty years, over their lives as young adults, they're going to be witnessing an escalation in these kinds of disasters. But it also reminds me that they actually have been born into this. This is part of their lived experience. We can remember and talk about when we were small, it wasn't like this, and how much that challenges our ability to imagine what's possible with climate change. This generation they get it because they've lived it, and they've lived those headlines and that's all they know, and so it it does give me hope that we can come together lean into the science of resilience and all that it means for saving lives and protecting our economy today as well as buttressing for some of those worst case scenarios that may come to be by mid century. So that's really just my hope, and that caller helps me understand what's at risk, but also the fact that this generation is ready and that we owe it to them to do all we can to leverage the vastrobe of treasure of science that we have to protect them in our economy and our security.

Let's go to Nate, who's in Milwaukee. Nate, welcome to the middle Go ahead, Are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

Let's go to Nate, who's in Milwaukee. Nate, welcome to the middle Go ahead, Are you prepared for the next natural disaster?

Oh?

Oh?

Hi?

Hi?

Thank you for having me. I would say that, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I'm lucky enough not to be in the line of a lot of hurricanes. I was out in boy Scouts there an the final cloud went over the campsite poles. So that was certainly an interesting experience to live through. And you've got to work with people in order to get through that. One of the things I would say, And I appreciate that she mentioned fossil fuels, considering that global warming is partly their fault each of these disasters it happens, fossil fuels should be paying to help clean up, or fossil fuel companies.

Thank you for having me. I would say that, living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I'm lucky enough not to be in the line of a lot of hurricanes. I was out in boy Scouts there an the final cloud went over the campsite poles. So that was certainly an interesting experience to live through. And you've got to work with people in order to get through that. One of the things I would say, And I appreciate that she mentioned fossil fuels, considering that global warming is partly their fault each of these disasters it happens, fossil fuels should be paying to help clean up, or fossil fuel companies.

Interesting point, Nate bill Weir, what about that?

Interesting point, Nate bill Weir, what about that?

Well, he is not alone, and Nate's you're in my hometown of Milwaukee, so good to hear.

Well, he is not alone, and Nate's you're in my hometown of Milwaukee, so good to hear.

Ascani.

Ascani.

There are dozens of lawsuits wanting their way through courts, tribals, courts, cities, states, counties for just that, seeing big oil in some cases for basically false advertising, for hiding the hidden dangers of their products while claiming that they didn't know any better. And the idea is to use those those settlements the way tobacco settlement was used for education and health public health that those settlements would be used to fortify the city of Charleston, South Carolina, is the one sort of spot in the red state that is suing with the hope that they'll help pay for the billion dollar sea wall they want to build to protect the historic quarter of that city there. So that could be the next big I mean, because it doesn't look like it's happening in the legislator. And the hope that the private sector was going to take this on that's kind of blown up in the last couple of weeks. So now there's a lot of hope. The Supreme Court sort of indicated that they might take up this Hawaii case that is in this space, and if they had killed it, it would kill all the rest of them, would set a precedent. Then that's what big oil is hoping for, but so far all of those motions have been denied.

There are dozens of lawsuits wanting their way through courts, tribals, courts, cities, states, counties for just that, seeing big oil in some cases for basically false advertising, for hiding the hidden dangers of their products while claiming that they didn't know any better. And the idea is to use those those settlements the way tobacco settlement was used for education and health public health that those settlements would be used to fortify the city of Charleston, South Carolina, is the one sort of spot in the red state that is suing with the hope that they'll help pay for the billion dollar sea wall they want to build to protect the historic quarter of that city there. So that could be the next big I mean, because it doesn't look like it's happening in the legislator. And the hope that the private sector was going to take this on that's kind of blown up in the last couple of weeks. So now there's a lot of hope. The Supreme Court sort of indicated that they might take up this Hawaii case that is in this space, and if they had killed it, it would kill all the rest of them, would set a precedent. Then that's what big oil is hoping for, but so far all of those motions have been denied.

Ruth is calling from Cincinnati. Ruth, welcome to the middle Go ahead.

Ruth is calling from Cincinnati. Ruth, welcome to the middle Go ahead.

Thank you all right. I I am old, and I was nervous, and in where I live we have something called crisis and resilience is a whole way to do things. The first thing told you, I'm old. The first thing is that I have a two bad bag that I've been putting together so he has enough food and water. I grab all the meds that I have too. Don't want to forget the meds when you're old or when you're young, food, water, clothing, probably I haven't gotten it yet, but something too that if there were a fire, I could just put one of those little blankety things on. Yes, it costs a bit of money, you put that together. I want to have the little pills so that if the water gets contaminated, I can make the water so I could drink it. Because you can't, I couldn't have enough anyway. Then the other thing we do is we have ways to communicate. A ham radio. We got to know who in the neighborhood he has one or walkie talkie. We also want to work together and know who's old and who needs help, or who is who's got animals that get them out of here. I mean not that animals, or certainly children or young people, any kind of people that need help. And the thing that happens with all of those things work together is I don't feel anxious that I used to. I don't have to think about the disaster. I mean I'm getting prepared. I haven't gotten it together yet. That makes me feel more calm and more like I can do something, and it helps tremendously. We need not to feel so I'm just one other thing. If you have an electric car, an electric car charger on your land, on your little property, and I live in I live in the city. But if you have that, you can use your electric car somehow, there's a way to connect to that charger together electricity to.