BEFORE IT'S GONE

A raw look at the climate disasters wreaking havoc on small-town America.

In four sections—fire, water, air, and Earth—Emmy and Murrow Award–winning CBS News correspondent Vigliotti takes readers on a harrowing journey into a variety of natural disasters across the U.S., which are becoming increasingly frequent and dangerous. The author zooms in on the impact of these disasters on the ordinary Americans living in their paths. From uncontrollable wildfires to massively destructive tornadoes, Vigliotti examines the conditions of each event, as well as the systemic failures of both local and national governments playing catch-up after those life-changing minutes. The author asks a host of relevant questions: What does life mean in a disaster-prone area? Who can afford—both financially and emotionally—to remain in these areas? How can a small town survive the onslaught of storms that often cost more than $1 billion to clean up? Vigliotti lucidly breaks down his time covering these calamities and shares the stories of those who have been displaced by Mother Nature as recently as the Lahaina wildfire of August 2023. “Yes, Lahaina will rebuild again, just like every other American town lost before it,” he writes. “But unless changes are made, another countdown clock will turn on and it’s anyone’s guess when time will run out. Because before every ‘unprecedented’ explosion in the cities and towns of a nation now under siege from an environment it spent too long taking for granted, there is a history of missed opportunities.” The author also chronicles the important work of notable scientists who have fought against apathy and misunderstanding in order to ensure that we are better prepared for the inevitable.

A powerful story of surviving, adapting, and making the changes needed to save our home before it’s too late.