FEMA program for migrants grows along with border crisis -- from over... The city of Atlanta received $4.85 million in funding in 2023, the first year of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Shelter and Services Program for migrants. New York Post

FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program is another indicator of the growing impact of the arrival of millions of foreign nationals in the US since President Joe Biden took office.

Disaster planning for older adults: What to know this hurricane and wildfire season When Hurricane Ian struck southwestern Florida in 2022, it led to the deaths of more than 150 people—the majority of whom were older adults who had heart-related problems, power outage-related accidents, ... Laura Williamson Medical Xpress

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The deaths drove home the importance of evacuating when natural hazards threaten homes and highlighted the complicated nature of doing so for the growing population of adults aging in place.

Landfills belch toxic ‘forever chemicals’ into the air An analysis of samples from three Florida landfills shows that landfill gas can carry more PFAS than the liquid that leaches from the waste. nikkogasa Science News

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Preparing schools for the H5N1 bird flu they're likely to face Schools shouldn't be caught off guard if H5N1 jumps from animals to humans. To protect children, they need to begin preparing now. Patrick Skerrett STAT

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More ER patients in Florida test positive for COVID. The surge is different this time What to know about variants and vaccinations. Yahoo News

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As of July 5, the seven-day “moving average” of emergency room patients diagnosed with COVID in Florida has risen to 3%, putting the state just behind Hawaii for the highest percent of ER patients testing positive for the disease, CDC data show. A moving average is a way to look at trends over time by averaging data across a seven-day period. Hawaii leads the nation, with a seven-day moving average of slightly more than 4% for ER patients testing positive for COVID.

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GAO report critical of FEMA's handling of pandemic A new report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has yet to identify lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic.  CIDRAP

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The report examined the status of obligations and expenditures related to COVID-19 and how FEMA estimated spending from January 2020 to March 2024. For fiscal years 2020 through 2024, Congress passed both annual and supplemental appropriations for the Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) totaling $97 billion, the GAO said.

Urban Heat Hot Spots in 65 Cities | Climate Central New Climate Central analysis shows where urban heat is most intense in 65 major cities that account for 15% of the U.S. population. climatecentral

• The urban heat island (UHI) index was calculated for every census block group within each city to estimate how much hotter these areas are due to the characteristics of the built environment.  

Extreme heat waves broiling the US in 2024 aren’t normal: How climate change is heating up weather around the world Global temperatures have averaged at least 1.5 degrees Celsius warmer than preindustrial times for over a year. Two scientists explain what that means and what humanity can do. The Conversation

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NATO releases 2024 Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment Report NATO released the Secretary General’s annual Climate Change and Security Impact Assessment on Tuesday (9 July 2024). It notes that accelerating climate change has “a profound impact on Allied security,” and stresses the need for NATO to remain fit for purpose in a rapidly changing environment. NATO NATO

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Why the Election May Slow Plans to Replace Lead Pipes - KFF Health News Lead in drinking water is a known danger. But how many of the country’s estimated 9 million lead service lines need to be replaced — and how quickly — is subject to debate. The clock is ticking on two competing plans as the election looms. khnkytjaw KFF Health News

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With the Environmental Protection Agency’s latest — and strictest — plan to minimize the risk of Americans drinking lead-contaminated water on the horizon, the debate over whether the rules go too far or not nearly far enough is reaching a tipping point.