CHARLOTTE, N.C. — An environmental expert is addressing concerns about climate change impacts on severe weather conditions frequently hitting North Carolina. What You Need To Know A North Carolina expert at Catawba College says climate change plays a role with weather events in our state This comes after North Carolina is continuing to experience severe weather in areas some feel were unexpected for the events A Catawba College staff member shares what makes these recent weather events so unique Dr. Lee F. Ball serves as vice president of sustainability and executive director for the Center for the Environment at Catawba College . The college is well known for its sustainabilit y efforts on campus. “I love being able to work outside and with great people,” Ball said. “We have a strong commitment to the environment and to supporting climate. This is a great place for students to come and learn.” Ball says climate change is contributing to some of the weather events we’re experiencing in recent times. “It’s something we’re having to adapt to,” Ball said. Over the last six months, the state has been hit with severe weather in areas some feel were unexpected. Ball and others believe climate change is leading to more powerful weather patterns like Helene and other storms in Western North Carolina. “Hurricane Hugo came to the mountains so this isn’t unheard of, but the intensity seems to be getting stronger,” Ball said. Recently, wildfires spread in the mountain areas, especially in the Black Cove Complex in Polk County. Fire officials confirmed two of the larger fires were caused by downed power lines. But they say drier, windy conditions contributed to the flames quickly spreading. “The weather events are just getting more extreme. So, when it’s super dry, it’s super dry and there’s risk […]
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