Rainfall

Floods

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  • Damp spaces and buildings are more susceptible to mold contamination which causes air quality problems.
  • These environments can lead to problems related to asthma and trigger pneumonia and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
  • Since standing water is one of the necessary environmental habitats for mosquitoes, floods could increase the diseases transmitted by mosquitoes such as dengue, malaria, and West Nile Virus.
Droughts

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  • Wildfires and dust storms lead to lower air quality values due to increased particulate matter in the air.
  • Droughts can aggravate extreme heat events.
  • Dry conditions can also lead to flash floods due to heavy rainfall and the inability for the soil to absorb runoff.
  • Lack of rainfall can cause an increase in certain water-borne disease within ground and surface water supplies, such as E. coli and Salmonella.