Under Water

Surveying the damage from the winter storm. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( December 19, 2023 Good morning! We hope you’re staying dry amid this winter storm. We’ve got more on the damage, plus [the cities that will be most impacted by severe weather]( in the future. Then, we’re [unpacking the crisis in the classroom]( and why students are falling behind. All that, plus [how to fix a dreaded travel mistake]( and [the best type of workout for longevity](, up ahead!   In the News [Cars stranded in standing water]( Cars stranded on a street in Paterson, New Jersey. (Getty Images) Under Water A storm hammered the Northeast yesterday, dumping heavy rain across the region, cutting off power lines, and killing at least four people. Here’s the latest: Several fatalities: Robert Horky, 89, was killed after his trailer in Hanover, Mass. was crushed by a tree. Nancy Morrow, 72, died after she became stuck in a vehicle underwater in Mount Pleasant S.C., as did a 73-year-old man in Pennsylvania. A 40-year-old man was killed when a tree fell on him as he was trying to clear debris from his roof in Windham, M.E. Torrential rain: Charleston, S.C., which was hit over the weekend before the storm moved north, saw record rain and surging floodwaters. More than 9 inches of rain fell in Georgetown. Over 635,000 people on the East Coast were without power last night, and the Passaic River in New Jersey is expected to crest a potentially record-breaking 12 feet this afternoon. A wet winter: Forecasters are predicting a lot more rain from Maine down to the Gulf Coast of Texas from December through February. You guessed it: Climate change is at least partly to blame. We took a deep dive at [the U.S. cities most vulnerable to extreme weather]( —not just flooding, but also wildfires, super-charged hurricanes, and other natural disasters that are becoming more and more common in our warming world. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Flifestyle%2Fbest-worst-us-cities-for-climate-change%2F   More Stories [A local resident watch smoke billow as the lava colour the night sky orange from an volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes peninsula 3 km north of Grindavik, western Iceland on December 18, 2023]( Getty Images Eruption in Iceland: After weeks of seismic activity, a volcano erupted last night on the Reykjanes peninsula of southwest Iceland. The 10:17 pm eruption split the earth in a 2.5 mile fissure, and was preceded by an earthquake swarm an hour earlier. Bursts of lava and smoke lit up the night sky about 2 miles north of the town of Grindavík. Though there's no immediate threat to life, locals have been warned to avoid the area. Parting ways: Marvel Studios has cut ties with Jonathan Majors following the actor's conviction yesterday of assaulting and harassing his former girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. Majors, 34, has played the Marvel supervillain Kang the Conquerer twice already, and was slated to appear in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in 2026. He now faces a potential year in prison. "Unfit for office": Christian Ziegler, chairman of the Florida GOP and husband of the co-founder of Moms for Liberty, has been censured as he faces a sexual assault investigation. The complaint claims that he and his wife Bridget had arranged a threesome and when Bridget couldn't make it, Ziegler arrived alone and assaulted the other woman. Moms for Liberty is a right-wing organization best known for [banning books they deem “inappropriate” for children](. In November, news broke that a Philadelphia-based outreach leader for the organization was a registered sex offender. A new era: Pope Francis will allow priests to bless unmarried and same-sex couples, marking a major shift in the Catholic church. A report from the Vatican outlined a few conditions alongside the news, stressing that blessings must occur "without any type of ritualization or offering the impression of a marriage.” It added that “the doctrine regarding marriage does not change, and the blessing does not signify approval of the union.”   Must-Reads [Profile of Erin Andrews]( Opening Up In an exclusive interview, Erin Andrews speaks candidly about her 10-year struggle with fertility and her surrogacy journey. [Read More »]( [Exercise equipment like dumbbells, resistance bands, and sneakers on a light blue floor]( Get Moving If you're looking to maximize longevity, there's one type of workout you should prioritize. Here's what it is and why it's important. [Read More »]( [Classroom desk in disarray, with laptop, notebook, pen falling off]( Not All Right Teachers are sounding the alarm about a widespread problem: Students have fallen behind on learning. We've got a closer look. [Read More »](   In Focus [Heidi Johnson with her arms around her daughter Katrina]( KCM When Heidi and Chris Johnson adopted their daughter Katrina from foster care, she joined their family with a scarcity mentality about food, thanks to a history of not knowing when she'd get her next meal. But as she aged into adolescence, she started eating less and less, and it soon became clear she was battling an eating disorder. We've got more on [the innovative treatment that helped her](overcome it and what their lives look like today. [SEE THEIR STORY]( [Sponsored by Equip](   Extra Credit Listen up: What could be better than inviting one of Hollywood's biggest names directly into your ears? You can do just that with [this must-hear podcast from Kevin Bacon]( — and a few more of our favorite star-studded shows. Crisis averted: Losing your passport abroad has got to be one of the biggest travel nightmares, right? Never fear — here's [how to deal with that mishap]( without derailing your entire vacation. Counting down: Take a moment to check the last few gifts off your list from our friends at lululemon before [their shipping cutoff](tomorrow. We have our eyes on this [wintery take on a fan-favorite belt bag](. Sale away: When it comes to high-quality staples, Madewell sure does live up to its name. No matter who you're buying for, take [40% off your purchase]( with code GETGIFTING.   Close-Up Did you know that the contestants on Survivor aren't just wearing whatever they threw in their suitcase? [This interesting NYT piece]( explains how the wardrobe choices are carefully planned out by professionals. It reminded me of the time I connected with Jeff Probst and he revealed [what he's learned from hosting Survivor](over the last few decades.   Soft Launch These Wake-Up Caller picks from J.Crew make great gifts — because who doesn't like cashmere? [This]([versatile wrap]( can be worn as a scarf or used as a blanket, and [this silky sweater]( comes in a slew of hues and patterns. [J.Crew cashmere wrap and sweater]( [SHOP HERE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.]( Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community. If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.