Articles tagged with Floods
The editorial highlights the need for disaster preparedness tailored to older adults' unique circumstances, including chronic health conditions and social supports. It suggests interventions that integrate disaster planning into routine clinical care and build organizational capacity in assisted living communities and nursing homes.
Researchers found that anti-flooding infrastructure can sometimes make floods worse, especially during lighter rain. The study used computer simulations to analyze the impact of modern terrain modifications on flood hazards and exposure.
A new study from Dartmouth College found that droughts in the Northeastern US have decreased due to increased precipitation, outpacing water loss from the surface. The research team analyzed changes in drought frequency, intensity, and duration from 1901 to 2022, comparing their results to the US Drought Monitor.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict areas with high rescue needs, prioritizing search efforts and expediting recovery operations. The tool uses socio-demographic data and machine learning to identify areas at risk of flooding and population vulnerability.
A new study identifies five recurring themes in European flood events: urbanization, climate-induced extremes, and inadequate governance. The research emphasizes the need for rethinking urban development in flood-prone areas and integrating flood-risk information into urban planning.
Research highlights advances in global weather modeling, sea ice convergence, and changes in seasonal drought patterns. Tornado emergencies are also explored, with a focus on Latinx communities and the importance of building trust and partnerships.
A survey from the Annenberg Public Policy Center finds that climate change is increasingly affecting Americans' daily lives, from electricity bills to outdoor activities and sleep. The survey also reveals that 76% of respondents report that extreme outdoor heat affected their daily activities at least sometimes in the past year.
A global analysis of catchments reveals complex behavior in 87% of rivers, with rainfall rhythm and water availability playing key roles in determining runoff responses. Simple catchments with consistent behavior are rare, concentrated in areas with steep terrain.
Researchers will develop AI-powered tools to examine cascading wildfire impacts, including flash floods, debris flows, and infrastructure disruptions. The project aims to bolster public safety and community resilience by combining AI, infrastructure modeling, and social science.
A new study found that forests with greater tree species diversity show smaller declines in productivity during compound climate extremes and recover more effectively afterwards. Biodiversity acts as a form of biological insurance, helping forests maintain stability in an increasingly unpredictable climate.
Scientists propose a colossal cliff across ancient North America may have exposed Grand Canyon's oldest rocks nearly a billion years before it was carved by the Colorado River. The study suggests the 'great escarpment' of steep rocky cliffs formed when the supercontinent Rodinia broke apart 800 million years ago.
Researchers from NUS and Tsinghua University developed an AI framework to complete missing US flood maps, revealing an estimated 11 million people and 4.1 million buildings were omitted from mapped zones. The framework generated a spatially complete 30-metre flood hazard map, highlighting the potential of AI to strengthen public access...
A PSU study finds that historically underinvested neighborhoods with lower median incomes and higher racial diversity are most vulnerable to multiple climate hazards. These areas, including East Portland, face the highest risk from landslides, wildfires, flooding, and extreme heat.
Historical data analyzed reveals the famous flood of 1342 was part of a 16-flood event series lasting almost two years. This study provides insights for modern flood protection strategies, highlighting the need to anticipate multiple major floods in quick succession.
Researchers argue that policymakers in Colombia can adopt a similar cooperative strategy to solve the country's current water management crisis. The pre-Hispanic field systems of La Mojana cover an astonishing 500,000 hectares and were likely built by local communities in a short period of time through cooperation.
The 36th annual State of the Climate report reveals record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea level, and ocean heat content. Greenhouse gas concentrations reached a 53% increase from preindustrial levels, with fossil fuel emissions reaching a record high in 2025.
A Virginia Tech team analyzed over 1,000 storm surge events to identify distinct patterns that depend on both storm characteristics and coastal geography. The findings could help engineers design infrastructure to withstand unique flood timelines and support better planning and decision making for coastal communities.
Researchers found that the Agulhas Current supplies heat and moisture that strengthen weather systems, causing severe floods in the Western Cape. In contrast, the Benguela Upwelling System has a minor role in intensifying rainfall.
Two Lehigh University AI projects have been selected for funding from the Department of Energy's Genesis Mission. The RIVER-AI project will improve flood- and water-level prediction, while the REACT project aims to accelerate reactor-scale fusion energy by developing an AI-enabled digital twin. These awards strengthen Lehigh University...
A new digital mapping project has created a comprehensive dataset to safeguard UNESCO World Heritage sites along coastlines at risk of flooding and erosion. The Global Coastal Heritage (Glo-CoH) dataset includes 1250 individual heritage sites, spanning over 235 million hectares across the globe.
A pioneering study reveals that by 2100, 13% more areas in the UK will be at risk of coastal flooding due to rising sea levels. By 2300, this number triples, with over 1.7 million people exposed to the risk of coastal flooding.
Researchers analyzed the 2025 Texas Hill Country floods, which killed at least 135 people, including 28 at Camp Mystic. Experimental models showed they could have predicted extreme flows with greater lead time.
A study by Penn State researchers found that severe flooding in rural Appalachia can lead to a significant increase in opioid overdose deaths, persisting up to 10 years after the event. The study suggests that decreased access to treatment services, increased trauma, and persistent stigma are key contributing factors.
A simple outdoor flood alarm is being developed by a UT Hydrology professor to detect life-threatening floods as water rises on individual properties. The low-tech alarm triggers a loud warning and light when water reaches a preset height, making it reliable during emergencies.
A new study reveals that temperature changes in the Indian Ocean can significantly influence winter weather thousands of kilometers away in the Eastern Mediterranean, offering new opportunities to predict damaging dry spells months before they occur. Positive phases of the Indian Ocean Dipole are linked to large-scale shifts in atmosph...
A study analyzing 60,000 records of flooding, waterlogging, flash floods, landslides, storms, and droughts in Brazil reveals regional impacts. The Northeast had the most affected cities, with landslides and droughts affecting this region the most.
A recent study found that people with a strong connection to place are more likely to take protective actions and heed local officials' recommendations during hurricanes. The study also revealed that maps can be misleading, with participants judging their own risk lower even if their home is located just outside the forecasted flood zone.
Research Scientists Edward Vizy and Professor Kerry Cook analyzed a storm that caused catastrophic flooding in Central Texas. They found that warmer-than-average sea surface temperatures weakened the Great Plains low-level jet, resulting in weaker storms and less intense rainfall.
Climate change is projected to increase frequency and intensity of hydroclimatic whiplash events, with regions experiencing both floods and droughts. This may lead to increased flash flooding, water quality deterioration, and soil erosion, as well as challenges for flood and drought planning.
A new study by Tulane University researcher Sönke Dangendorf found that human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. Coastal flooding events expected once every 100 years now occur on average about 12 times more likely to occur globally.
New degradable sensors developed by Lancaster University researchers track biological activity in soil using a biodegradable substrate nibbled on by microbes. This technology offers insights into soil's response to climate events and storage of carbon, providing a better understanding of soil health and microbial processes.
The project aims to shape future international engineering guidance for coastal infrastructure as climate change increases storm surge risk. Researchers will gather environmental data on saltmarsh systems and work with international partners to develop practical hybrid green-grey infrastructure solutions.
Climate change is accelerating Himalayan river migration rates by nearly doubled, with increased risk of flooding, erosion, and damage. The study reveals that thawing frozen ground and glacier melt are driving these changes, posing implications for water security and infrastructure planning.
Researchers found two distinct growth patterns in river deltas, uniform and composite, which can help engineers estimate land build-up based on channel length. This insight will aid coastal restoration and flood protection efforts by directing limited resources to areas where they can make the most impact.
A new study reveals how responsive Greenland's ice sheet is to climate change, with widespread methane release linked to an episode of warming around 4,000 years ago. The findings highlight the role of recent ice margin fluctuations on subglacial carbon cycling, with implications for global methane budget assessments.
Field inundation causes widespread problems across the food system, including economic issues, biological changes, and human health impacts. Illinois scientists are working with farmers to develop a customizable toolbox of solutions suited to specific contexts.
New research from the American Meteorological Society explores AI forecasting limits, the impact of climate change on hurricane trends, and simplifies the heat index. The studies find that machine learning can outperform numerical physics-based models in certain conditions, but not universally.
A new study reveals that natural disasters lead to a 69% spike in public protests across Latin America. Smaller communities tend to face the longest economic recoveries, with damage persisting for up to four months.
A new perspective in Nature Water highlights how urban flooding measures often exacerbate environmental injustices for society's most vulnerable groups. The study identifies two main reasons for this unequal distribution of risk: higher exposure to climate hazards and limited resources, leading to a lower capacity to bounce back.
A new AI model has been developed to predict floods with greater accuracy than traditional methods. The knowledge-guided approach combines elements of physics-based models with machine-learning techniques to automatically learn the state of a river's watershed, eliminating the need for manual recalibration.
Researchers investigated the Mississippi River's hydrological trends, ocean carbon storage, and gender dynamics in flood mortality. A study found that precipitation increases, but soil moisture decreases, while high-resolution models reveal stronger Southern Ocean carbon absorption. Additionally, data showed men are overrepresented in ...
New research from FAMU-FSU College of Engineering proposes a way to integrate different flood models, improving predictions and supporting critical decision-making. The study suggests four key directives for future research, including hybrid frameworks, enhanced physical representation, and bridging science and practice.
Researchers discovered temperate trees, including oak, elm, and hazel, in Doggerland over 16,000 years ago, revealing a surprisingly hospitable environment. The study suggests that Doggerland may have supported early Mesolithic communities prior to flooding, shedding light on the region's ecological history and human settlement patterns.
Research shows glacial lakes in Alaska expanding 50% faster than previously recorded, posing significant hazards and altering ecosystems. The study identifies areas where lakes may form and grow, helping with infrastructure planning and predicting changes to ecosystems, hazards, and recreation.
A research team analyzed 2.2 million thunderstorm events to identify a physical explanation for their formation. The study found that differences in soil moisture generate near-surface winds, leading to intense thunderstorms. High-resolution satellite measurements of soil moisture were crucial for this analysis.
Researchers found interactions between soil moisture patterns and wind in the lowest atmosphere influence where storms develop, providing clues to forecasters about location. The study aims to improve certainty about upcoming storms on hot days and save lives, livestock, and property.
The FAU project will integrate high-resolution modeling, observational data, and advanced machine learning to improve understanding of regional sea-level variability in the Gulf of America. The team aims to produce decision-relevant scenario outputs and empower stakeholders with actionable information for future-oriented decisions.
A new Concordia research study refutes the notion that beaver dam failures can cause river flooding, arguing that failed dams had only a small effect on water levels downstream. The study found that natural conditions such as steep slopes and intense rainfall were more likely to cause damage.
Researchers from the University of British Columbia argue that forests can alter the frequency and probability of floods, including major events. They call for a shift in how flood impacts are evaluated, moving away from single event comparisons and toward assessing how forests affect flood risk over time.
A German nationwide study uses a new simulation approach to map hospital vulnerability to flood-driven traffic disruptions. 75 hospitals across Germany are identified at risk of patient surges beyond their regular capacity due to an increase in demand by more than 30 percent.
A study by Newcastle University found that UK winters are becoming significantly wetter, with a 7% increase in rainfall per degree of global warming, driven by rising temperatures from anthropogenic warming. The experts warn that this trend will continue to worsen, increasing the risk of flooding and economic damages.
A new study by Tokyo University of Science found that floods are the biggest drivers of plastic pollution in rivers, increasing microplastic and mesoplastic concentrations by orders of magnitude. The research highlights the need to include high-flow events when assessing plastic emissions.
Researchers at Newcastle University and the UK Met Office identified a three-layered atmospheric structure associated with heavy rainfall developing within minutes. The findings help explain record-breaking rainfall and flash floods in the UAE and Oman in April 2024, and may aid future improvements in identifying risk.
New research reveals that land subsidence caused by humans is the main culprit behind delta sinking, posing increased flooding risk to 236 million people. The study identifies groundwater extraction as the dominant cause of subsidence, highlighting the need for urgent local interventions.
A new study at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities investigates how floodwaters transport and bury animal bones to understand fossil formation. The research provides clues for understanding animal extinction and environmental changes.
Researchers have found that El Niño and La Niña are driving total water storage extremes globally, with a synchronizing effect on water storage across continents. The study uses gravity data from NASA's GRACE and GRACE Follow-On satellites to track water extremes and their connections.
Nature-based solutions can significantly reduce flood impacts by slowing and absorbing runoff, offering added benefits such as improved air quality and biodiversity. Public awareness and education are key to expanding support for these approaches, with communities needing clear communication about flood risks and benefits.
A new study found that popular AI tools for predicting river flow often misinterpret how heat and evaporation affect water, raising concerns for flood and drought planning. The researchers developed a hydrology-specific 'explainable AI' framework to uncover these issues.
A recent study recreated the July 4 flood conditions and found multiple spots upstream where local communities could have placed water level monitors to give early warnings about rising water. The research aims to make those sensors cheap, easily accessible, and open source so anyone can use them.
The 106th Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society will focus on the intersection of technology and human decision-making in weather, water, and climate sciences. The meeting will feature keynote presentations, Presidential Sessions, and named symposia highlighting key Earth science topics.