The campaign focuses on the risks of climate change and urges community members to advocate for restored federal funding and expanded preparedness efforts at the local level. <\/p>\n
Christa Kelleher, a hydrologist and assistant professor at Lafayette College<\/a>, noted that climate change is making intense rainfall events more common in the Northeast.<\/p>\n \u201cOur conclusively warming climate is making extreme events like flooding, as well as droughts and hurricanes worse here in the Northeast,\u201d Kelleher said. \u201cThe things that we need to combat flooding and other extreme events, like more data, more experts, more warning systems, and resilient infrastructure, are being taken away from us.\u201d<\/p>\n Rachel Hogan Carr, executive director of the Nurture Nature Center<\/a>, echoed concerns about preparedness. She emphasized the need to not only improve forecasting and technology, but also ensure information reaches people who need it.<\/p>\n State Rep. Bob Freeman called attention to recent severe flooding in Texas<\/a>. He emphasized the mounting risks posed by climate change, particularly in communities like Easton where flooding is frequent.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s no denying that climate change is real and that it is making extreme weather events more frequent and more severe,\u201d Freeman said. \u201cUpgrading our infrastructure to be more resilient can mitigate stormwater damage, saving lives and money.\u201d<\/p>\n Speakers warned that federal rollbacks in emergency and environmental protections have made communities more vulnerable. Freeman pointed to significant staffing cuts at the National Weather Service<\/a>, along with proposed rollbacks to power plant pollution standards, as contributing factors to the worsening situation.<\/p>\n Neal Fehnel, former owner of Bushkill Park<\/a>, shared his experience navigating floods at the amusement park.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had a strategy to deal with when there\u2019s a flood coming, and then we had a strategy for how to go after the flood so that we could restore Bushkill Park and be open again as quickly as possible,\u201d Fehnel said. <\/p>\n Current park managers John and Sue Klein described how they adapted the park\u2019s operations to deal with flooding by installing removable motors and monitoring nearby water levels. Their preparation allows the park to reopen within days after a flood.<\/p>\n \u201cWe just pick up the pieces, move on, and start all over again,\u201d Sue Klein said.<\/p>\n Speakers urged the public to engage with congressional representatives by writing letters and calling on them to address climate change. They also urged others to learn about local climate action plans, such as Easton\u2019s Climate Action Plan. <\/p>\n Chelsea McClure can be reached at cmcclure@lehighvalleylive.com<\/a>. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement<\/a> and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and\/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n![\"State](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/WL2JPWTUMZCJHCKRK7XV47DO2I.jpeg\")
State Rep. Bob Freeman speaks about climate change at the Extreme Weather Emergency Tour at Scott Park in Easton.Chelsea McClure | For Lehighvalleylive.com<\/p>\n![\"Extreme](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/AI7JE62JGBF3TONU2DFECAADZA.jpeg\")
Former owner and operator of Bushkill Park Neal Fehnel speaks about climate change at the Extreme Weather Emergency Tour at Scott Park in Easton, PA.Chelsea McClure | For Lehighvalleylive.com<\/p>\n