Powerful storms hit the US, Supreme Court Rejects Missouri Maps, Mortgage Rates Rise
- Length
- 14 min
- Published
- 26 September 2026
- Language
- English
- Text from
- the audio
- Transcribed
- 27 September 2026
Summary
This episode of NPR's Up First covers three major stories: two powerful storms affecting Hawaii and the Northeast, the Supreme Court's rejection of Missouri's Republican-favored congressional maps, and mortgage rates rising above 7%. The storms are linked to a powerful El Nino pattern fueling Pacific hurricanes while suppressing Atlantic ones. The Missouri ruling means the 2024 map will be used in November's election, boosting Democrat Emanuel Cleaver's re-election chances. Rising mortgage rates are tied to a jump in 10-year Treasury yields and the Federal Reserve's ongoing fight against inflation.
Key points
- A nor'easter is expected to bring coastal flooding, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour to the East Coast through the weekend.
- A powerful El Nino is fueling Pacific hurricanes while suppressing Atlantic storms; there have been no full-blown Atlantic hurricanes this season for the first time in more than a century.
- Hurricane Polo intensified from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in less than 24 hours, something researcher Gabriel Vecchi says he has never seen.
- The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Missouri's Republican-drawn congressional map for the third time, meaning the map used in 2022 and 2024 will apply in November.
- Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver is now the heavy favorite to win re-election in his Kansas City-based district.
- The average 30-year mortgage rate rose above 7%, the highest since President Trump returned to the White House.
- Mortgage rates are pegged to the 10-year Treasury yield, which has jumped sharply as the resilient economy keeps inflation above the Fed's 2% target.
- About half of homeowners with mortgages pay rates below 4%, so many are staying put rather than trading for a 7% loan.
Questions it answers
00:00Storms and headlines preview
What stories are covered in this episode?
The episode previews Hurricane Nolo approaching Hawaii, a powerful nor'easter hitting the Northeast, the Supreme Court rejecting Missouri's congressional maps, and mortgage rates climbing above 7%.
- Two major storm systems are affecting different parts of the country.
- The average 30-year mortgage rate rose above 7% this week.
01:23The nor'easter
What can people expect from the nor'easter hitting the East Coast?
Millions face coastal flooding, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour, with the worst impacts in Massachusetts, Long Island, and Connecticut. It is unusual for September mainly because of its long 48-hour duration.
- Flights have been canceled and power outages are already occurring.
- Fully leaved trees raise the risk of power outages in southern New England.
02:13El Nino and Pacific hurricanes
Why is Hawaii being hit by hurricanes while the Atlantic is quiet?
A powerful El Nino is heating eastern Pacific waters and fueling hurricanes, while creating wind shear in the Atlantic that tears storms apart. There have been no full-blown Atlantic hurricanes this season for the first time in more than a century.
- The Big Island could see up to 16 inches of rain.
- Hurricane Polo intensified from a tropical storm to Category 5 in under 24 hours.
- 18 Pacific hurricanes have formed so far, above average.
05:08Missouri redistricting
What does the Supreme Court's rejection of Missouri's maps mean for the midterms?
The Republican-drawn map that split Kansas City into three rural districts cannot be used because citizens petitioned to subject redistricting to voter approval until November 3rd. The map used in 2022 and 2024 will be used in November, making Democrat Emanuel Cleaver the heavy favorite for re-election.
- It is the third time the Supreme Court has blocked the map.
- Republicans nationally now have about eight tilted seats instead of nine.
- Local officials are relieved absentee ballots already sent out will count.
09:12Mortgage rates above 7%
What is driving mortgage rates above 7%?
Mortgage rates are pegged to the 10-year Treasury yield, which has jumped sharply because the resilient economy is keeping inflation above the Fed's 2% target, meaning the Fed may raise interest rates further.
- Rates briefly dipped below 6% in February before the Iran war began.
- About half of mortgage-holding homeowners pay under 4% and are staying put.
- Buyers who can afford the rates have more homes to choose from.
Notes
Weekend of Wild Weather
- Millions along the East Coast face a nor'easter with coastal flooding, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 50 to 60 miles per hour; the worst impacts are expected in Massachusetts, Long Island, and Connecticut.
- Meteorologist Francis Tarazowicz notes the storm is unusual for September mainly because of its long 48-hour duration, though nor'easter season (October through May) is not far off.
- Fully leaved trees in late September raise the risk of power outages across southern New England.
El Nino Driving Pacific Storms
- A powerful "super El Nino" is heating eastern Pacific waters, fueling hurricanes; 18 Pacific hurricanes have formed so far, above average, with the season running through the end of November.
- Hurricane Polo went from a tropical storm to a Category 5 hurricane in under 24 hours; Princeton's Gabriel Vecchi has never seen such rapid intensification.
- The Big Island of Hawaii could see up to 16 inches of rain; the Atlantic, by contrast, has had no full-blown hurricanes this season for the first time in more than a century due to wind shear.
- Scientists are unsure whether El Nino is connected to the nor'easter.
Missouri Redistricting Ruling
- The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a Republican-drawn map that split Kansas City into three largely rural districts, imperiling Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver.
- The map can't be used because citizens gathered petitions to put redistricting to a voter referendum until November 3rd; the 2022/2024 map will be used instead.
- Republicans nationally hold about eight more tilted seats instead of nine without Missouri; GOP Secretary of State Denny Hoskins had used the new map in the primary before the Missouri Supreme Court ruled it was never in effect.
Mortgage Rates Above 7%
- The average 30-year mortgage rate rose above 7%, the highest since President Trump returned to office; rates briefly dipped below 6% in February before the Iran war began.
- Rates track the 10-year Treasury yield, which has jumped sharply as the resilient economy keeps inflation above the Fed's 2% target.
- About half of mortgage-holding homeowners pay under 4% and are staying put, leaving more inventory for buyers who can stomach high rates.
Transcribed automatically from the audio. Summary and notes written by AI from the transcript, so check anything important against the recording.
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