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- Currently in Miami — August 31, 2023: Idalia's impact slight in South Florida
Currently in Miami — August 31, 2023: Idalia's impact slight in South Florida
Plus, an American train renaissance is underway
Eric Holthaus & John Morales
August 31, 2023
Idalia has departed the state
The weather, currently.
There were no major impacts in South Florida from Hurricane Idalia on Wednesday as the storm passed well to the northwest, striking Keaton Beach, FL on the northern Gulf coast at 7:45 AM. Feeder bands sparked a few thunderstorms in the afternoon, but ultimately, rain totals were less than 2 inches and gusts stayed below 50 mph. In fact, a similar day in terms of rain activity is expected on Thursday as moisture levels will remain high due to a southwesterly breeze. This will make for a typical afternoon of scattered showers and thunderstorms. Heat index values will likely reach Heat Advisory Criteria across the east coast metro area again..
El tiempo, actualmente.
Los impactos del huracán Idalia no fueron nada graves en el sur de Florida el miércoles, ya que la tormenta pasó bastante hacia el noroeste, azotando Keaton Beach, FL en el norte de la costa del Golfo a las 7:45 a.m. Bandas de lluvia provocaron algunas tormentas eléctricas por la tarde, pero al final, los totales de lluvia fueron menos de 2 pulgadas y los vientos se mantuvieron por debajo de las 50 mph. De hecho, se espera un día similar en términos de lluvia el jueves ya que los niveles de humedad se mantendrán altos debido a una brisa del suroeste. Esto producirá una tarde típica de aguaceros y tormentas eléctricas dispersas. La alta humedad también impulsará la sensación térmica a criterios de Advertencia de Calor en el área metropolitana de la costa este..
What you need to know, currently.
The Washington Post has a new engrossing feature story (gift link) on the privatized future of high speed rail in America. It brings up some interesting scenarios about the near-term future of trains in the world’s most car-dependent country.
Transportation (specifically, by car) is the largest source of energy use in the United States, so any displacement of cars for trains is a big deal for the climate. Amtrak has been strategic about this in announcing its expansion plans, focusing on car-centric routes like Dallas-Houston, Miami-Orlando, Colorado Springs - Fort Collins, and Los Angeles - Las Vegas.
A newcomer to America rail is the private high speed rail company Brightline, which to me sounds like the train version of the Megabus displacing Greyhound back in the early 2000s.
From the article:
Fifty million trips are made between Southern California and Las Vegas each year, mostly via private vehicles, according to project ridership studies. Brightline wants to capture 11 million of those trips annually.
An interactive map of Amtrak’s proposed expansion shows that, thanks in part to Amtrak Joe, by 2028 the US will have a vastly improved rail system, and it’s about time.
Take a look at the *proposed* US passenger train map.
If all (or most of it) happens, the US will finally start to have a pretty decent passenger train system. Faster travel times. More connected cities. Even some private service in Florida...
washingtonpost.com/transportation…— Heather Long (@byHeatherLong)
7:32 PM • Aug 30, 2023
What you can do, currently.
One of my favorite organizations, Mutual Aid Disaster Relief, serves as a hub of mutual aid efforts focused on climate action in emergencies — like Hurricane Idalia. Find mutual aid network near you and join, or donate to support networks in Florida:
