Governor Healey’s Mass Ready Act is an essential step in the right direction. But two key areas need to be improved.

FEMA’s maps are essential tools for identifying flood risks, but they have significant gaps that limit their effectiveness.

More than 15 inches of rain have fallen on Columbus since May 1, nearly 5 inches above normal, and double what fell during last year’s drought (June-October).

"The science behind it is so basic you can see it in daily life," one researcher said. "Warm water drives more evaporation — the bathroom gets much steamier after a hot bath than a cold one." ...