We have been telling these stories for as long as we’ve been telling stories; there have always been storms. But there seems to be a special angst and urgency in the way that we receive them today. There are those who believe that the singular story of our time is—or will be—a flood saga.

Avi Steinberg on the return of the flood saga.

The Much Resounding Sea, by Thomas Moran, 1884. Courtesy of the National Gallery of Art.

This week, Steve Coll writes about the challenges facing the U.S. and Pakistan in the wake of the floods. Coll will take questions from readers today at 3 PM ET, or you may leave a question for him now. An excerpt from his piece:

“So far, the Obama Administration has displayed all the right instincts, by rushing relief to civilians, affirming the primacy of the country’s elected leaders, and galvanizing other governments to pitch in. As the waters recede, and the immediate crisis passes, however, the challenge will be to muster international investment to repair Pakistan’s infrastructure and catalyze its economic recovery.”