Articles tagged with Floods
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
A new scale has been developed to characterize the strength and impacts of atmospheric rivers, which can deliver heavy precipitation to the Western United States. The scale assigns five categories to atmospheric rivers based on the amount of water vapor they carry and their duration in a given location.
The study focuses on two coastal regions in Thailand, assessing the impact of climate change on erosion and flooding. The Thai-coast project will enhance coastal community resilience through multidisciplinary research.
Researchers at VTT developed a new and more accurate method for estimating the probability of extreme events, such as storms, floods, and earthquakes. The new method improves estimation accuracy, especially when data is limited, and contributes to economically optimal safety in natural hazard preparation.
Research suggests that smaller snowstorms will decrease in number, but the most powerful nor'easters will remain frequent and crippling. The study's findings have significant implications for transportation, economy, and infrastructure along the Eastern Seaboard.
DJ Seo, a civil engineering professor at UTA, is working on a project to merge forecasts and metrics from multiple sources into a single, integrated forecast. This will provide emergency management officials with more accurate and understandable information to make informed decisions during major weather events.
University of Texas at Arlington researcher Yu Zhang has earned a $515,565 grant from NOAA to develop a method that combines inputs from the joint polar satellite system with the National Water Model. The goal is to enhance snow product accuracy and predict spring melt and runoff more effectively.
A new study by Michigan State University found that hundreds of dams planned for the Mekong River basin could disrupt the region's flood dynamics, threatening food security and ecosystem balance.
Research found that global water supplies are shrinking as soils dry out due to climate change, leading to drought-like conditions. Despite intense rain, large rivers are drying out, and urban flooding is becoming more common.
A study found that homes in hurricane-hit areas of the US are being rebuilt with larger footprints, often exceeding pre-storm sizes. This trend increases coastal risk and puts strain on subsidized insurance funding for properties in at-risk areas.
A new study uses citizen science to enhance flood forecasting by integrating water level data into models. The Hydrological Alert Model with Participatory Basis (HAMPB) model has shown promising results in improving forecast accuracy.
Recent studies highlight the need for updated adaptation plans to address severe weather events, with hard-adaptive measures like seawalls increasing long-term vulnerability. Increasing hazard awareness through education can reduce vulnerability, while effective communication strategies can mitigate flood damages.
New research found that overflowing crater lakes on Mars carved canyons rapidly, possibly in weeks, using high-resolution satellite images. This process likely played a major role in shaping Mars' surface without plate tectonics.
Researchers recreated Hurricane Harvey using computer models and weather data, finding that urbanization led to a wetter hurricane with higher flood peaks and more damage. The study highlights the need to consider urban development when calculating hurricane risk and preparing for hurricane damage and recovery.
A recent study by Michigan State University found that floods significantly transport large amounts of organic carbon through ecosystems, contrary to the traditional view of the carbon cycle as vertical. The research analyzed over 1,000 watersheds across the US and found that wetlands play a crucial role in storing and releasing carbon.
Researchers found that increases in diarrheal disease cases were closely tied to periods of rainfall, flood recession, and changes in surface water quality. The study suggests that adapting water treatment facilities to handle rapid shifts in surface water quality is crucial to mitigate the risk of waterborne disease.
A Kiel-based study reveals that 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Mediterranean are at risk due to sea-level rise and storm surges. The sites face increased flood risk of up to 50% and erosion risk of up to 13% by 2100, according to a spatial database and model simulations.
Researchers will integrate citizen science data from CrowdHydrology into the National Water Model to improve predictions of flooding. The project aims to enhance communication about flooding during emergencies and connect first responders with accurate, near real-time data.
A recent study found that glacial lake outbursts can trigger massive erosion and landslides, causing widespread damage to infrastructure. The research, published in Science, suggests that non-climatological drivers such as earthquakes and climate change may play a significant role in shaping fluvial erosion rates.
Tropical Depression Rosa's remnants brought heavy rainfall potential to east central Arizona on Oct. 2, with the strongest storms located over the region according to NASA's infrared view.
A team of researchers found that land area in Hawai'i vulnerable to future sea level rise may be double previous estimates. The 'bathtub' model underestimates the full extent of potential damage due to sea level rise, particularly on Hawaii's high-energy coasts.
Researchers found that residents and property owners are more likely to adopt green stormwater infrastructure practices if they have experienced flooding or erosion. The study suggests a flexible approach to encourage effective stewardship of these practices across diverse populations and landscapes.
Princeton University researchers have discovered a precise timeline for the Columbia River flood basalts, which they believe caused ancient global warming. The team's use of tiny zircon crystals has provided an unprecedented level of precision, revealing that 95% of the eruptions occurred within a 750,000-year window.
A recent study reveals a significant increase in the frequency and severity of floods on the Amazon River, with extreme floods occurring every four years. The research attributes this change to changes in the surrounding seas, particularly the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Florence brought massive rainfall to the Carolinas, exceeding 30 inches in some areas, causing record or major flooding along many rivers. The storm's heavy rainfall caused widespread damage and at least 20 fatalities.
Hurricane Florence made landfall near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, bringing estimated maximum winds of 90 mph and a minimum central pressure estimate of 958 millibars. The storm's infrared imagery showed the power and extent of its massive storm system.
A new study suggests that global coastal wetlands can migrate further inland to secure their future and avoid catastrophic losses. The research finds that with enough space, coastal wetlands could gain up to 60% in elevation, mitigating the impact of sea level rise on global warming and coastal flooding.
A Stanford University study found that lack of transparency in US home buyout programs leads to lower participation rates and perpetuates social inequality. The research suggests increasing clarity on decision criteria, community involvement, and emphasis on equitable relocation can improve the program's effectiveness.