By Juliet Porter.
At the start of April, devastating storms swept across parts of the Midwest and Southeastern United States, bringing tornadoes, violent winds, and catastrophic flooding. Millions of Americans were affected as rivers overflowed, homes were damaged or destroyed, and lives were lost. The National Weather Service warned early on that this would be a “multi-day catastrophic and potentially historic” event, with a “barrage of life-threatening” conditions, including powerful tornadoes and widespread flash flooding.
The Kentucky, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers rose to historic levels, inundating communities and dismantling local economies. In Frankfort, Kentucky, the Buffalo Trace Distillery, America’s oldest operating distillery, was forced to shut down as the Kentucky River crested at nearly 48.5 feet. Floodwaters swallowed traffic signs, submerged cars, and damaged buildings, pausing operations at a cornerstone of the region’s economy. The long-term clean-up ahead reflects the broader challenges that communities across the region are now facing.
This incident is not isolated, nor is it simply the result of bad luck. It’s a powerful example of how climate change-fueled weather events collide with existing social inequalities, often with devastating consequences. The communities hit hardest by storms like these are frequently those with the fewest resources to recover.
Looking ahead, experts are warning of an especially intense Atlantic hurricane season. A recent report from Colorado State University estimates there could be 17 named storms and 9 hurricanes, roughly 125% higher than the average season from 1991 to 2020.
This pattern of increasingly frequent and extreme weather is a direct result of global warming. But while the threat is real, so are the solutions. Action can and must be taken now to protect vulnerable communities and build long-term climate resilience.
First, infrastructure investment is essential. Maintaining and upgrading levees and flood control systems can prevent or reduce the worst impacts of future flooding.
Second, community engagement must be prioritized. At the heart of environmental justice is the principle that those most affected must have a say in the decisions that impact their lives. Involving residents in planning, preparedness, and recovery efforts ensures that policies are shaped by those who know their communities best.
Finally, policy reform is needed at every level of government to address the systemic inequalities that make marginalized communities more susceptible to climate disasters.
As we approach Earth Day on April 22, this moment serves as a sobering reminder of the work ahead. But it also underscores why organizations like the Center for Health, Environment & Justice (CHEJ) exist. For over four decades, CHEJ has supported grassroots efforts to build healthier, more resilient communities in the face of environmental threats. Through advocacy, organizing, and education, CHEJ continues to empower those on the frontlines of the environmental justice movement, especially when the waters rise.
Sources:
NPR- https://www.npr.org/2025/04/02/nx-s1-5349304/storms-tornadoes-flooding-midwest-south
Associated Press- https://apnews.com/article/kentucky-whiskey-bourbon-buffalo-trace-2a386bc74dfbcde223cfa157d8d6da1b
CBS- https://www.cbsnews.com/news/2025-atlantic-hurricane-season-forecast/