Rebecca Hersher

Rebecca Hersher (she/her) is a reporter on NPR's Science Desk, where she reports on outbreaks, natural disasters, and environmental and health research. Since coming to NPR in 2011, she has covered the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, embedded with the Afghan army after the American combat mission ended, and reported on floods and hurricanes in the U.S. She's also reported on research about puppies. Before her work on the Science Desk, she was a producer for NPR's Weekend All Things Considered in Los Angeles.

The Upper Midwest is grappling with devastating river flooding after record-breaking rain. Climate change makes heavy rain and severe floods more frequent in that part of the country.

Beryl made landfall as a hurricane in Texas , and there are forecasts that as the storm breaks apart it will drive deeper into Midwestern states like Missouri Illinois Indiana Michigan – even Ontario , Canada.

The financial cards are stacked against many renters who survive hurricanes, floods, wildfires and other major weather disasters. The long-term effects can be devastating.

Storm surge pushes water past wind swept palm trees along the Gulf of Mexico, Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, in Horseshoe Beach, Fla.

Hurricane Debby is trundling across the Southeast, dropping massive amounts of rain. The storm formed over abnormally warm ocean water.

High tide floods – when water collects in streets or even seeps into buildings on days without rain – are increasingly common in coastal areas as sea levels rise, a new report warns.

Surf from Tropical Storm Debby breaks over a sea wall in Cedar Key, Fla., in August 2024. Abnormally hot ocean water is contributing to a very active Atlantic Hurricane season. Climate change is the main driver of record-breaking ocean temperatures, but scientists are trying to figure out what other causes may be at play.

Coastal flooding from high tides is getting more common in most parts of the United States, as climate change causes sea levels to rise.

Storms usually form between the end of August through October, but this August and early September have been oddly quiet. That's changing as conditions in the Atlantic become more conducive to storms.