Articles tagged with Floods
Researchers found that urbanization decreases 'flashiness' -- rise and fall rates of water flow in streams -- in arid urban watersheds. This is the opposite pattern observed in wetter regions like the East. The study suggests lessons for better stormwater management everywhere.
Researchers will conduct baseline studies on stream morphology and aquatic habitats before bridge construction and develop predictive models for Texas Department of Transportation. They aim to determine the downstream ecological impacts of bridge construction on freshwater mussels and assess floodwater's force on typical bridges.
Experts from the University of Surrey have found that nature-based solutions (NBS) can effectively combat climate-related natural disasters. NBS were used to combat floods and heatwaves, with hybrid solutions being the most frequently used method in Europe.
Researchers are investigating strategies to mitigate coastal flooding in Santa Monica Bay and Humboldt Bay using natural and nature-based features, as well as artificial structures. The study aims to understand the effectiveness of these approaches in controlling local flood hazards and improving quality of life for nearby communities.
Typhoon Hagibis brought damaging winds, rough surf, and heavy rainfall to Japan, causing widespread flooding and landslides. Rainfall totals reached as high as 994 mm in Hakone, with at least 31 deaths reported and over 186 people missing.
A new report by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology reveals that Edinburgh is losing around 15 football pitches of green land each year. Urban creep and expansion are major contributors to this loss, with homeowners adding features like conservatories and driveways that harm vegetation.
Researchers analyzed FEMA's property buyout program, finding it concentrates in lower-income neighborhoods with greater social vulnerability. The study aims to inform revised buyout practices and climate adaptation policies to support managed retreat in response to climate change.
A recent study analyzed FEMA-funded voluntary property buyouts, finding they tend to target poorer neighborhoods in wealthier counties. The researchers emphasize the need for increased transparency in reporting to fully evaluate program efficacy.
A team of researchers found that Peruvian glaciers have retreated by 30% since 2000, with the rate of retreat accelerating since 2013. The increased melting is linked to El Niño events and has significant implications for water supply, agriculture, and natural hazards.
NASA's Terra satellite captured a visible image of Post-tropical Cyclone Lorenzo as it neared Ireland on Oct. 3, showing frontal features and cloud-filled center of circulation west of Ireland. Met Eireann has issued rainfall and wind warnings for Ireland due to the storm's heavy rains and high winds.
Researchers developed a more efficient statistical model to analyze extreme weather events globally, identifying regions with high precipitation levels and predicting their frequency. The model can handle vast amounts of data from multiple locations, providing valuable insights for disaster planning.
A new satellite mission, SWOT, will enhance flood modeling globally, even in extensively studied regions. It will provide more accurate floodplain maps and predictions for areas affected by snowmelt, hurricanes, and ice jam breakup.
NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) estimated heavy rainfall totals of 16-24 inches between Freeport and Beaumont, Texas, and 6 inches in southwestern Louisiana. The IMERG product provides near-real-time rain estimates every 30 minutes, combining satellite observations with other data sources.
Researchers have discovered that certain plant species, including wild tomato and alfalfa, share common genes with rice that enable them to survive flooding. The study aims to improve crop resilience to flooding by activating these genes in other plants.
Compound flooding events are projected to occur more than once every six years along the UK and Dutch coastlines. The probability of high sea levels and heavy precipitation occurring simultaneously will heavily increase in Northern Europe under a warmer future climate.
The 'Flying Fish' robot uses a water-reactive chemical reaction to create gas, which propels it out of the water and into a glide of up to 26 meters. The robot can travel long distances without additional power, making it suitable for collecting water samples in hazardous environments.
Research found that people experiencing storm and flood damage are about 50% more likely to experience poorer mental health, even when the damage is minor. The study suggests that climate change will increase the frequency and intensity of storms and floods in the UK, highlighting the need for mental health support.
A large international study led by TU Wien demonstrates climate change's influence on river flood magnitude. Regional patterns show changes in flood severity and frequency, with northwestern Europe experiencing increasing floods and southern Europe seeing decreasing flood levels.
A multinational study has shown that flood events are becoming increasingly severe in north-western Europe, while decreasing in southern and Eastern Europe. The research, which analyzed river flow data from thousands of locations over a 50-year period, provides clear evidence of the link between climate change and flooding.
A large international research project found that climate change is impacting the severity of flood events across Europe. Floods are increasing in central and north-western Europe due to rising precipitation and soil humidity, while decreasing in southern Europe where warmer temperatures lead to increased evaporation.
A $2 million NSF grant will support the study of nature-based strategies to prevent urban flooding and manage stormwater in cities like Pittsburgh and Chicago. The project aims to develop engineering tools that integrate green infrastructure with existing built systems to improve water quality and ecological health.
Research finds that a warming planet will alter ocean waves along more than 50% of the world's coastlines, leading to significant implications for coastal flooding and erosion. The study projects changes in wave patterns under different climate scenarios, with some areas experiencing increases in mean wave heights and others decreases.
Researchers at Princeton University have created new maps that predict coastal flooding for every county on the Eastern and Gulf Coasts. The study finds that 100-year floods could become annual occurrences in Northern coastal towns, primarily due to sea level rise. In more southern latitudes, storms are expected to increase in strength...
West Virginia University research predicts a 10-degree spike in average temperature by the end of the 21st century, leading to more frequent droughts, heat waves, and flooding. Increased evaporation due to warmer air temperatures exacerbates these extremes, threatening water security and ecosystem health.
Researchers analyzed a 120-year data set to confirm climate change's impact on precipitation events and floods. The study found six of seven highest precipitation events occurred within the last 20 years, with three storms resulting in abnormally large floods.
NASA's GPM core satellite analyzed Barry's rainfall rates several hours after it made landfall on the coast of Louisiana. Heavy rain bands were revealed by the data, with rainfall rates exceeding 10 mm/hour in some areas. The storm brought heavy rains and flooding to the mid-Mississippi Valley as it moved through the region.
Tropical Storm Barry moved slowly north through Arkansas and Louisiana, causing widespread flooding along the Mississippi River. The storm dropped up to 15 inches of rain in some areas, with local flash flooding remaining a likely threat.
NASA analyzed cloud top temperatures in Tropical Storm Barry, indicating the storm's strength. The Aqua satellite found coldest cloud tops with temperatures near minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit, indicative of strong storms capable of generating heavy rainfall.
NASA's ARIA team created a flood proxy map using satellite data from the ALOS-2 satellite, depicting areas of Louisiana likely flooded due to heavy rain and Tropical storm Barry. The map can be used as guidance to identify potentially flooded areas, but its reliability is limited over urban and vegetated regions.
Researchers found that the 2014 SR530 (Oso), Washington landslide traveled over 1 km due to rapid extension of the landslide and liquefaction of the flood plain. Basal liquefaction mechanism likely occurred at the site, hypothesized to enhance mobility of other landslides in similar settings.
A team of engineers is investigating the risk of coastal flooding in three Sri Lankan communities due to cyclones, incorporating the impact of rainfall and climate change. The project aims to develop compound flood hazard maps that will help local communities understand the threat and take action to minimize risks.
Nick Fang is analyzing regional drainage and proposing recommendations to prevent future flooding in nine southeast Texas counties. His research has the potential to change not only an area but the entire state, saving property and improving flood warning systems.
A low-pressure system in the Gulf of Campeche brought heavy rainfall to southeast Texas and southern Louisiana, with flash flooding reported throughout the Houston area. The National Weather Service predicts a high risk for flash flooding across parts of the region, with rainfall totals expected to reach 3-7 inches.
Research led by the University of Saskatchewan found a significant increase in extreme downpours globally over the past 50 years, coinciding with intensifying global warming. The study used thousands of rain records to analyze precipitation extremes, revealing a clear upward trend in torrential rain events across various regions.
A recent study by Duke University researchers found that how a community or neighborhood fares in an extreme storm or flood has a stronger and more lasting effect on climate beliefs than individual losses. Damage at the zip-code level was positively associated with stronger climate change beliefs even three or four years after the event.
Researchers discovered that low oxygen concentrations provide essential conditions for plant growth, promoting the stability of protein ZPR2 responsible for cell proliferation and differentiation. This finding has significant implications for breeding crop varieties and understanding stem cell maintenance in plants and animals.
Researchers at Indiana University created a powerful new molecule for extracting salt from liquid, with potential to increase drinkable water on Earth. The molecule is designed to capture chloride using carbon-hydrogen bonds, providing greater efficacy and versatility than previous designs.
A new study of UK lake sediment records has found that recent floods in Northern England were the largest in 600 years, highlighting the impact of climate changes. The research uses lake sediment records and river flow data to establish long-term flood frequency models, aiming to improve flood risk management in the UK.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Ann is moving west into the Gulf of Carpentaria, causing warnings for strong winds and flooding potential. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued a Strong Wind Warning and Flood Watch for coastal catchments in Queensland.
Researchers found that Texas' major rivers produce enough water to store almost two-thirds of the state's flow capacity. Capturing this water could partially mitigate floods and droughts. The study's discovery fills a niche in understanding the potential for aquifer storage projects across the state.
A new methodology for building computer models has been developed at Oregon State University, enabling better prediction of coastal flooding risk. The research used statistical techniques and 'emulation' to reduce complexity and improve performance, allowing for nearly instantaneous use of the model for future flooding scenarios.
Researchers analyzed wind speed and wave height measurements from satellites and ocean buoys to find extreme winds increasing by 8% and waves by 5% in the Southern Ocean over the past 30 years. This increase has significant implications for rising sea levels and coastal flooding.
Dr. Kellie Flood, an Associate Professor at UAB, is recognized for her outstanding geriatric care, research, and leadership. She has expanded geriatrics expertise in Alabama and beyond through various programs, including the UAB Geriatric Scholar Program.
A new study finds that Hurricane Maria's extreme rainfall was due to human-caused climate warming, making a storm of its magnitude nearly five times more likely to form now than during the 1950s. The research analyzed Puerto Rico's hurricane history and found that Maria produced the largest maximum daily rainfall of those 129 storms.
Researchers used satellite radar data to map the extent of standing water and measure land subsidence in the Houston-Galveston area, revealing large flooded areas fell outside FEMA designated flood zones. The study highlights the need for revising flood hazard zone maps and resilience plans in coastal regions.
Researchers find that severity of wildfire and rainfall intensity affect stability and destruction of step-pool units, impacting habitats and benthic organisms. Management strategies vary from 'leave alone' to active channel management based on burn severity.
Researchers at Stanford University found that adopting diverse agricultural lands can provide flood control, water purification, and climate stabilization, while also doubling farmers' incomes. The 'Ecological Development Strategy' aims to support both economic growth and environmental health in rural regions like Hainan Island.
Researchers at Newcastle University found that balancing sustainability objectives is a complex challenge. The 'best case' scenario for London involves concentrating development in central areas to reduce flood risk, transport emissions, and urban sprawl, but this comes at the cost of exposing more people to extreme temperatures.
Tropical Cyclone Veronica weakened due to strong vertical wind shear, causing its center to clear of clouds. The storm rapidly deteriorated and is expected to dissipate by the end of March 26.
A new study from Stockholm University finds that climate changes are affecting weather forecasting accuracy, particularly with predicting summer rain volumes. Meanwhile, temperature and air pressure forecasts are expected to become more accurate.
A new Portland State University study found that East Portland's low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately exposed to floods and urban heat islands. The research team mapped winter flood and summer heat hazard potential, testing it against sociodemographic and physical variables at a neighborhood scale.
Researchers found that soil treatments mimicking floods led to the highest woolly star survival rate, while no treatment favored invasive grasses. The study suggests that restoring natural flood pulses can help reestablish the plant species in degraded habitats.
A recent study found that flood mapping information in Canada is inadequate, incomplete and hard to locate, leaving homeowners exposed to significant financial risk. The study highlights the need for better information availability to help homeowners determine if their homes are at risk from flooding.
Researchers find evidence suggesting an asteroid/comet impact reignited massive volcanic eruptions in India, coinciding with the worldwide extinction at the end of the Cretaceous Period. The eruptions, known as the Deccan Traps, produced climate-altering gases that may have played a role in the mass extinction.
Researchers from Canada and Germany used a supercomputer to simulate climate trends in Quebec and Bavaria from 1950 to 2100, providing insights into severe flooding dynamics under changing climate conditions. The study's results showed good agreement with historical climate data, confirming the predictive power of the simulations.
Tropical Cyclone Oma continued to intensify in the Southern Pacific Ocean, posing a significant threat to Vanuatu. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured an image of the storm, showing a large area of thunderstorms wrapping into the center.
A new study found that high-tide flooding is already impacting businesses' experiences and profits, with downtown Annapolis losing 3,000 visits in 2017 due to flooding. Rising seas are expected to increase flooding days by 2035, affecting 170 coastal communities.
Tropical Cyclone Oma has been located northwest of the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean, prompting heavy rainfall and flash flooding warnings for several provinces. The satellite imagery revealed a large area of powerful thunderstorms wrapping into the low-level center.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Cyclone Oma, showing a circular center with thunderstorms wrapping into it. Gale force winds are expected to affect provinces in Vanuatu, with heavy rainfalls and flash flooding forecasted.
Tropical Cyclone Oma formed northwest of Vanuatu, with maximum sustained winds near 45 knots (52 mph/83 kph). The cyclone is forecast to strengthen slightly over the next two days before weakening, bringing damaging gale force winds and heavy rainfall.