Weather Heroes
Weather Heroes explores the world of planning for and responding to disasters. We visit with key weather players from a wide range of backgrounds and industries and look at how they do their jobs before and after extreme weather strikes.
The cost of weather disasters can have a significant impact on the economy, environment, and people’s lives. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in 2023 there were 28 weather disasters that caused at least $92.9 billion dollars in damage. This record setting number exceeded the previous record of 22 in 2020. Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained 376 major events to exceed over two and a half trillion dollars! Of course, there are many disasters that are not “major” yet have serious impacts on peoples lives and property. Every weather event has it's own story, impacting people and their communities. We talk with the people that help rebuild those lives...the Weather Heroes.
Weather Heroes
The Bug Man Cometh!
Hurricanes, heavy storms, tornadoes, floods, and similar disasters can lead to problems with a variety of insects and other creepy crawlies. With two broods of cicadas emerging and bugs in the news we talk with Paul Bello -entomologist extraordinaire. Paul has been battling bugs and creepy crawlies for decades. As the rains and flood waters abate, these pests become unwelcome guests in and around our homes and disrupt the response and recovery to the event. It’s fascinating how nature’s smallest creatures can become such significant challenges.
Paul’s insights are invaluable for dealing with these post event pest issues and his stories provide both practical advice and a touch of humor - some of these insects can be very persistent and invasive…but, hey, don’t let that “bug” you. Listen on!
Paul J. Bello ACE, BCE, MBA Author, Consultant, Speaker, & Educator (pjbpestconsultant.com)
Pest Problems After Storms and Other Disasters | NC State Extension (ncsu.edu)
2024 cicada map: Emergence updates; where to find Brood XIII, XIX (usatoday.com)