Episode
The California Floods
26:49
Published: Thu Jan 12 2023
Description
For weeks, a string of major storms have hit California, causing extreme flooding. While it might seem as if rain should have a silver lining for a state stuck in a historic drought, the reality is far more complicated.Today, how California’s water management in the past has made today’s flooding worse and why it represents a missed opportunity for the future of the state’s water crisis.Guest: Christopher Flavelle, a climate reporter for The New York Times.Background reading: In the wake of recent storms, California is facing questions about whether its approach to handling crippling storms is suited to 21st-century climate threats.For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.
Chapters
California is experiencing extreme flooding with 60,000 households without power, evacuation orders in seven counties, and numerous road closures.
00:01 - 04:08 (04:07)
Summary
California is experiencing extreme flooding with 60,000 households without power, evacuation orders in seven counties, and numerous road closures. The current situation has been worsened by previous failures in California's water management system, and more heavy rainfall is expected in the coming days.
EpisodeThe California Floods
PodcastThe Daily
This podcast explores the history of water management in California that has led to the state's overreliance on big dams to capture runoff and the failure to recharge the state's all-important aquifers.
04:08 - 14:13 (10:04)
Summary
This podcast explores the history of water management in California that has led to the state's overreliance on big dams to capture runoff and the failure to recharge the state's all-important aquifers. The aquifer is California's most important resource, but the state's current water management approach doesn't take advantage of excess water to recharge it.
EpisodeThe California Floods
PodcastThe Daily
Farmers in California are struggling to cope with reduced groundwater while surface water is slowly disappearing, which is causing flooding and a water crisis.
14:13 - 23:56 (09:42)
Summary
Farmers in California are struggling to cope with reduced groundwater while surface water is slowly disappearing, which is causing flooding and a water crisis. Even if the state can fix its rivers, it still won't solve the issue of access to water for irrigation and drinking, and the process would be costly and unpopular.
EpisodeThe California Floods
PodcastThe Daily
U.S. Rep. George Santos of Long Island faced calls for resignation from Republican officials and inquiries into his finances, campaign spending, and campaign trail fabrications.
23:56 - 26:17 (02:20)
Summary
U.S. Rep. George Santos of Long Island faced calls for resignation from Republican officials and inquiries into his finances, campaign spending, and campaign trail fabrications. Santos refused to resign, sparking outrage among party members and intensifying Republican attacks on President Biden.