Articles tagged with Floods
Climate change poses unprecedented flood risk unless timely adaptation measures are taken in Europe. Coastal defense structures need to be installed or reinforced to withstand increasing extreme sea levels.
Heavy rainfall caused flash floods and power outages in Virginia and Texas, while NASA's IMERG program estimated rainfall totals of over 8 inches in some areas. The analysis was based on satellite data from the GPM mission and used algorithms developed by NASA's PMM science team.
Researchers found elevated E. coli levels in Houston's major bayous immediately after Harvey, decreasing over two months. Fecal bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes were highest in homes with stagnant floodwater inside. Residents should exercise caution when handling post-Harvey floodwaters.
Climate change is projected to double rain-on-snow flood risk in the Sierra Nevada, Colorado River headwaters, and Canadian Rocky Mountains by the end of this century. This could lead to a 200% increase in localized flood risk and strain existing infrastructure.
Research from UTSA Assistant Professor Vikram Kapoor confirms high levels of fecal contamination in Texas waterways following Hurricane Harvey. The study found elevated levels of E. coli and enterococci concentrations above regulatory levels, posing risks to human health and environmental quality.
A landmark study by Newcastle University researchers finds that heavy, short rain storms are intensifying rapidly in Australia, leading to increased flash flood and urban flooding risks. The study, published in Nature Climate Change, shows that these extreme events are substantially larger than expected under climate change.
A study by researchers at the University of Waterloo found that flood losses in the Halifax, Nova Scotia area could increase by up to 300% if steps are not taken to address climate change. The study suggests that governments need to plan for rare but high-impact flood events and warn citizens about growing flood risks.
A £340,000 research project is examining the history of farming in the Amazon region. Dr Bronwen Whitney and her team are reconstructing the long-term agricultural history of Llanos de Mojos using palaeoethnobotany and landscape archaeology.
The model uses mathematical equations to translate incompatible data streams into a neutral format, enabling comparison and analysis of satellite imagery and social media posts. Researchers tested the model using data from a 2013 flood in Colorado, resolving incompatibility issues and accurately estimating flooding locations.
Researchers at Tohoku University have identified a key gene responsible for deepwater rice's ability to thrive in flood conditions. The SD1 gene enables the plant to increase its height and accumulate ethylene, allowing it to ride out lengthy floods.
A new study identifies the SD1 gene as responsible for the deepwater rice adaptation, which enables plants to rapidly grow taller to keep above floodwaters. This discovery highlights the intrinsic complexity of plant adaptation strategies and could offer solutions for breeding modern rice varieties to cope with climate change.
A team of researchers has found a connection between seasonal sea level fluctuations and Rossby Waves, which can escalate the risk of nuisance flooding. This discovery may lead to a new tool for coastal communities to anticipate and prepare for rising tides.
A tropical disturbance brought extremely heavy rainfall to southern Texas, resulting in record-breaking flood levels. Over 15 inches of rain fell in Hidalgo County, with IMERG estimates indicating 21 inches fell in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico.
A multidisciplinary team at UC Santa Barbara found that immediate responses to disasters like wildfires and floods can have unintended consequences. By prioritizing long-term planning and adaptation strategies, decisionmakers can mitigate the risks of climate change-mediated disasters.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured extreme rainfall rates of up to 3.5 inches per hour in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Heavy flooding is expected along the coast of Texas into Louisiana, with a high risk of rip currents and minor coastal flooding.
Researchers analyzed historical hurricane scenarios to model potential grid disruptions and identified clusters of businesses and community resources that could be outfitted with microgrids to improve resilience. Microgrids, also known as resilience nodes, enable enhanced adaptation and response to electric grid disruptions.
Researchers reconstruct Boston Harbor's water level record for 1825-2018, finding a nearly a foot rise in relative sea level and tidal trends driving increased flood risk. The study highlights the importance of combining historical data with modern measurements to understand extreme weather events.
Subtropical Storm Alberto brought heavy rain to the southeastern US, with IMERG estimates showing up to 8 inches of rain over central Alabama. The storm's passage also led to flash flood watches for several states, causing 6 deaths in total.
Subtropical Depression Alberto's center has been located near latitude 38.7 degrees north and longitude 87.4 degrees west, approximately 80 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Indiana. The depression is moving toward the north-northeast at 17 mph, with maximum sustained winds near 30 mph and higher gusts.
Alberto has weakened to a subtropical depression with strongest storms circling its low-level center, producing heavy rainfall and flash flooding concerns.
A new study assesses the economic impact of intensifying river floods on a global scale, finding that China's flood damages could affect EU and US industries. The US economy may be particularly vulnerable due to its unbalanced trade relation with China, while stronger trade relations could mitigate losses.
Research reveals a significant rise in postpartum haemorrhage in Victoria, with one in five women experiencing primary blood loss after childbirth. The study highlights the need for improved monitoring and treatment protocols to address this concerning trend.
Research in South Africa's Kruger National Park has shown that climate change is destroying sensitive and valuable riverine habitats due to extreme floods. The study found that cyclone-driven floods removed almost 1.25 million tonnes of sediment from the river bed, leading to patches of mature riparian forest being destroyed.
Heavy seasonal rainfall caused by NASA's Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) revealed severe flooding in Kenya, displacing over 244,000 people. The estimated death toll from flooding and mudslides has been increased to about 100 people.
A recent study published in Environmental Research Letters found that limiting global warming to 1.5°C would reduce flood hazards globally by 21%, whereas a 2°C limit would increase flood risks by an average of 11% across 21% of the world's land area.
Sea-level rise and wave-driven flooding will make freshwater resources non-potable, threatening human populations on low-lying atoll islands. The tipping point for unavailability of potable groundwater is projected to be reached by the middle of the 21st century.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences found that drowning caused 80% of Harvey deaths, with most fatalities occurring outside the 100-year floodplain. The researchers suggest improving flood maps and communication to reduce risk during future floods.
In April 2018, a weather system caused destructive flooding and mudslides in Hawaii. The NASA GPM satellite provided detailed data on the heavy rainfall, showing that Kauai received over 478 mm of rain, with some areas experiencing even higher totals.
Tropical Cyclone Keni caused widespread damage and flash flooding in Fiji, especially on the island of Kadavu. Rainfall totals exceeded 200 mm over southwestern Viti Levu and reached 430 mm southwest of Viti Levu.
A new study reveals that restoring coastal wetlands and oyster reefs can significantly reduce flood risks on the US Gulf Coast, with potential benefits exceeding $7 in direct flood-reduction benefits for every $1 spent on restoration. Nature-based solutions can be more cost-effective than traditional 'gray' measures like seawalls.
The study highlights how natural disasters can disrupt industries and regions, causing significant economic losses. Intersectoral and interregional linkages contribute to these losses, which can be up to 50-70% of standard estimates for major metropolitan areas.
Tropical Cyclone Keni has formed in the South Pacific Ocean, with NASA's Global Precipitation Measurement mission (GPM) detecting heavy rainfall. The storm is tracking southeastward at 25 knots, expected to weaken and begin extratropical transition by April 11.
Tropical Cyclone Keni has intensified into a tropical cyclone after consolidating over Vanuatu in the Southern Pacific Ocean. NASA's Suomi NPP satellite captured its true-color image on April 9, showing the storm's center surrounded by thunderstorms.
A recent study revealed a dramatic rise in extreme floods on the Mississippi River over the past century, largely due to human modifications such as artificial levees. The research also uncovered a link between flooding and natural fluctuations in Pacific and Atlantic Ocean water temperatures.
NASA analyzed Tropical Cyclone Josie's heavy rainfall using Integrated Multi-satellitE Retrievals for GPM (IMERG) data, revealing extreme rainfall totals of over 450 mm in some areas. The study showed that Josie's clockwise circulation caused flooding leading to at least four deaths in Fiji.
A new study reveals the Mississippi River Delta is experiencing seafloor erosion at an alarming rate, threatening marine ecosystems and infrastructure. The research, published in Marine Geology, found that sediment deposition has stopped, leading to land loss and degradation of wetlands and seafloors.
A study by David Casagrande explores the attitudes and perception of flood risk in US coastal communities. Residents employ rationalizations such as scapegoating and social comparison to avoid making difficult decisions, rather than taking steps to mitigate damage. This research highlights the importance of addressing individual belief...
Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have found a dramatic increase in flooding on coastal roads along the East Coast, with 90 percent more frequent high tide floods occurring over the past 20 years. The study estimates that tidal nuisance flooding will cause over 3.4 billion hours of delays by 2100.
NASA analyzed satellite data to calculate Tropical Cyclone Nora's heavy rainfall in Queensland, revealing over 433 mm of rain in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The analysis also indicated significant precipitation along Nora's track into northwestern Queensland, causing flooding and landslides.
An international team of geoscientists has discovered an extensive buried mass of material on the seafloor, thought to have been eroded by the Zanclean flood. The mass covers an area equivalent to the island of Crete and is up to 900m thick in places.
A mathematical economist has developed conceptual models to describe economic decisions for long-term flood protection strategies. The study highlights the importance of central government investment in infrastructure and private sector responsibility, with calculations showing that government investment is better than direct subsidies.
A 2015 flood in south central Oklahoma led to a 93% decrease in invertebrate abundance, a 60% decrease in species presence, and a 64% decrease in biomass among insects and other invertebrates. Only well-adapted creatures were quick to return.
A study published in Environmental Research Letters found that a 1.5C temperature increase could lead to the permanent inundation of lands home to about 5 million people by 2150. The research team used global tide gauges and sea level projection frameworks to explore differences in storm surge events across three scenarios.
A single gene, LGF1, has been discovered to control the surface properties of rice, making it superhydrophobic and enabling survival during flood events. The gene also confers drought tolerance by reducing evaporation from leaf surfaces.
A new study warns that subsidence, combined with rising sea levels, will increase the flood-risk area around San Francisco Bay by doubling it. The study found that areas at risk of inundation could be twice what had been estimated from sea level rise only.
New research reveals sections of the San Francisco Bay shoreline are sinking at rates of nearly half an inch a year. This subsidence exacerbates flooding risks from rising sea levels, increasing areas at risk from 20 to 166 square miles by 2100.
The Global Precipitation Measurement mission captured intense rainfall rates exceeding 5.1 inches per hour in southwestern Arkansas. Life-threatening flood conditions resulted from over 10 inches of rain, with storm tops reaching heights above 5.6 miles.
Recent heavy rainfall and melting snow have caused widespread flooding across the central and southern US, from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes. NASA's rainfall analysis found above-normal precipitation in parts of the upper Midwest, exacerbating the flood threat.
New research finds that high workloads and targets lead to psychological stress, demotivation, and reduced initiative among healthcare staff. This exposes healthcare services to major risk of staff shortage and inoperability during disasters.
Researchers found a unique deposit in upper meter of marsh sediments, suggesting the 1861-62 storm season was erosive enough to remove coastal barriers. The team used sediment cores and analyzed European crop pollen and spheroidal carbonaceous particles to confirm the deposit's age.
A new study reveals that European cities will experience more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, and flooding due to climate change. Southern Europe will see the biggest increases in heatwave days and temperatures, while central Europe will face the greatest temperature increases during heatwaves.
A study published in PLOS One compared pre- and post-Hurricane Harvey pollution levels in Houston's Manchester neighborhood, finding that flooding redistributed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Baseline data is crucial for understanding disaster-related public health issues.
A new UTSA study reveals that the 2015 Wimberley floods were exacerbated by flash flooding due to urbanization and heavy rain seasons. The researchers also found that recent years have seen record-breaking floods in Texas, prompting calls for improved storm preparations.
Researchers at Clemson University aim to fortify computers and devices against cyberattacks using GPS spoofing, with potential effects on cell phones, power grids, and scientific data. The team plans to create a secure timing solution by securing GPS receivers and Network Time Protocol.
Scientists warn of increased river flood risks worldwide due to global warming, with the need for adaptation greatest in the US, parts of India and Africa. The study finds that without additional measures, millions will be exposed to severe flooding, with devastating impacts on communities.
A new mathematical model, developed by Colorado State University researchers, integrates a community's infrastructural, social, and economic features to quantify resilience. The 'hazard-agnostic' model, tested in the fictional city of Gotham, provides a framework for predicting long-term effects of disasters and disruptions.
Scientists analyzed various natural hazards like earthquakes, space weather events, and floods to understand their impact on power grid recovery time. The report highlights the importance of integrating risk assessment and management efforts across policy areas and improving cross-jurisdictional emergency management capabilities.
Tropical Storm Kai-Tak is expected to bring heavy rainfall to the southern and central Philippines due to its very cold cloud top temperatures. The storm has slowed down, increasing the likelihood of inland flooding in the Eastern Visayas region.
The Mississippi River's course is shaped by sediment and floods, but accumulating sediment downstream of the Old River Control Structure poses a risk to its current path. Research finds that sediment has caused the river floor to elevate and sandbars to grow in volume, diminishing the river's capacity to carry water.
Researchers found that controlled dam pulses and flood magnitudes significantly impact fisheries. The study suggests prolonged drying followed by sudden flooding could increase fish yields by a factor of 3.7, offering a promising solution to sustainable fisheries.