Articles tagged with Floods
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.
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 have proposed a mathematical formula to balance power generation with food security and fish catch in the Mekong River basin. The algorithm recommends long low-flow periods punctuated by pulses of flooding, allowing dam operators to co-manage their priorities and protect livelihoods.
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.
Assistant Professor Nick Fang will receive $150,000 to help the Corps produce highly accurate hydrologic and hydraulic models. The project aims to create models that can map floodplains and aid in planning construction and maintenance of infrastructure.
Research at Oregon State University shows that flooding rivers is necessary for maintaining healthy ecosystems and biodiversity. Minor changes in flow patterns can harm plant communities, while severe effects occur when cyclical flooding is removed from the equation.
A study published in Climate of the Past found that climate changes played a significant role in triggering immigration from Southwest Germany to North America during the 19th century. The researchers identified major migration waves linked to extreme weather events, such as the 'year without summer', and found that climate was a major...
New research from the University of Birmingham suggests that rapid global warming could result in more extreme rainfall and flood events. The study found a four-fold increase in sediment delivery from land to the deep ocean during a 56 million-year-old event, likely caused by increased rainfall intensity.
A major research project, HELIX, found that some climate impacts are unavoidable, while others can still be mitigated. Global warming of 1.5°C to 2°C could lead to sea level rise of 0.5m, affecting 2.5 million people in Bangladesh, and increased flood risk in parts of Asia, Europe, and America.
Researchers from the University of Houston are studying the impact of rainwater surging into Galveston Bay, estimating 34 trillion gallons fell along the Texas-Louisiana coast. They will survey the sea bottom and collect sediment samples to understand extreme event sedimentation patterns.
A new study estimates that future flood risk to New York City from tropical cyclones will be driven primarily by sea-level rise, with storm surges also playing a significant role. The researchers project mean overall flood heights to increase by 0.7-1.4 m by the end of the current century and 2.4-13 m by 2300.
A new field guide from the Geological Society of America explores the geological history of the Pacific Northwest, focusing on the Seattle area. The guide reveals details about catastrophic flooding, tsunami deposits, and past glaciations that have shaped the region over millions of years.
A Washington State University study reveals that salmon's mating habits alter stream bed profiles, leading to erosion and changes in the landscape over time. Different salmon species have varying effects on the ecosystem, with some creating new habitats for emerging species.
Researchers discovered a possible reason for Ptolemy III's sudden return home: massive volcanic eruptions. These events cooled the planet's atmosphere, disrupting the Nile River's flow and leading to food shortages and heightened tensions. The study links eruptions to violent uprisings and other upheavals in ancient Egypt.
A recent study has reshaped the understanding of climate change's impact on early societies, focusing on ancient Egypt. The research, published in Nature Communications, explores how large volcanic eruptions affected Nile river flow, reducing summer flood heights and causing social stress that could trigger unrest.
A recent study published in Geoderma suggests that high-intensity forest land use like grazing can counteract the positive effect of tree planting on reducing flood risk. Researchers found that infiltration rates were higher under trees when the forest was undisturbed, but decreased when sheep grazed underneath
UTA researchers are using a $50,000 grant to build models and test software that will help the Trinity River Authority make a decision on converting flood storage to water supply. The conversion could allow TRA to store treated wastewater in wet years and sell it during droughts.
D.J. Seo, a UTA professor, will use a $281,790 grant to implement hyper-resolution modeling in the National Water Model, allowing for street-resolving details and more accurate flooding predictions. The resulting model will enable officials to pinpoint specific neighborhoods impacted by flooding.
Seongjin Noh, a UTA civil engineer, has received a two-year grant to improve the quality of forecasts based on the National Water Model. He will use data assimilation to create a streamflow data assimilator that can predict floods and droughts more accurately.
Rivers need more space, diversity, and freedom to protect species and prevent devastating floods. Floodplain landscapes are crucial for sediment retention and natural flood protection.
A growing movement in higher education is launching a global effort to educate health professionals on the health impacts of climate change. The Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education aims to build expertise among health workers to integrate knowledge into daily practice, enhancing public health while mitigating climate change.
The ForPAc project aims to improve drought and flood forecasting in Kenya through weather-climate forecasts and identify barriers to acting on that knowledge. The project will put in place effective early warning systems to save lives and reduce long-term progress setback due to severe droughts.
NASA-NOAA's Suomi NPP satellite provided a thermal image of Hurricane Maria, revealing the strongest sides of the storm. The National Weather Service reported heavy rain causing flooding in eastern Puerto Rico, with flood warnings issued until 5:45 p.m. EDT.
NASA used a fleet of satellites to measure Hurricane Maria's rainfall, estimating totals greater than 10 inches (254 mm) along its track. The storm caused catastrophic flooding in Puerto Rico, with extreme flooding reported in San Juan and the capital city.
Professor Matthias Scherer and his team at TUM discovered new facts about Gumbel's life, including his statistical analyzes of court proceedings and newspaper articles. The researchers found that 326 out of 354 political murders by right-wing factions went unpunished, highlighting Gumbel's pioneering work in modern data journalism.
Citizen scientists will help VIMS researchers map the reach of this year's King Tide using a smartphone app, providing critical data for improving coastal flooding models. The project aims to better understand the risk of recurrent flooding in Hampton Roads and lay the groundwork for a volunteer data-collection network.
Indiana University scientists have developed a new method to predict the effectiveness of molecules that extract toxic elements from the environment. The discovery could significantly reduce the volume of nuclear waste, as well as improve water purification and soil remediation techniques.
Irma dropped extremely heavy rain, up to 20 inches, across Cuba and Florida, causing severe flooding. The post-tropical cyclone weakened over Georgia, but its remnants produced additional 1-3 inch rain accumulations across the southeastern US.
Researchers warn that US East Coast cities are under threat from more frequent and severe flooding due to the region's slow subsidence into the Atlantic Ocean. Human activities such as groundwater extraction and reservoir creation have accelerated this process, with some areas sinking at a rate of up to three millimeters per year.
A Rice University and Texas A&M-Galveston study found that FEMA's 100-year flood plain maps failed to capture 75 percent of flood damages from five serious floods. The research suggests that innovative computational tools can build more predictive maps, improving flood risk assessments.
A new study models the impact of changing precipitation patterns in northern European and North American cities, finding that urban runoff is strongly controlled by built-up versus vegetated surfaces. The research also highlights the importance of wintertime climate for northern cities' flood risks.
Post-Tropical Cyclone Harvey is spreading into the Ohio Valley, bringing heavy rain and flash flooding to parts of Texas, Louisiana, Kentucky, and Indiana. The system's minimum central pressure is 1002 millibars, and it is expected to weaken by Saturday, Sept. 2.
Hurricane Harvey's rainfall caused widespread saturation in southeastern Texas, which already showed signs of moisture levels near 20-40% before the storm made landfall. NASA's data also revealed exceptionally wet conditions in southwest Houston after Harvey's arrival, exacerbating the flooding issue.
IMERG data show over 30 inches of rainfall in the Houston metro area, while Harvey dropped over 40 inches in southeastern Texas. The storm is expected to produce catastrophic flooding and life-threatening conditions in parts of Texas and Louisiana.
NASA's Aqua satellite and International Space Station provided critical data on Tropical Storm Harvey, illustrating growing flood threats along the Texas coast. The storm is expected to produce heavy rainfall accumulations of 7-13 inches, with isolated totals reaching 50 inches in some areas.
A new study predicts shorter flood intervals for US coastal cities when considering both ocean water level rise and river flow, increasing overall flood risk. Researchers warn that as sea levels continue to rise, compound effects will further exacerbate coastal flooding.
Tropical Storm Harvey is expected to produce heavy rainfall accumulations of 15-25 inches over the upper Texas coast and into southwestern Louisiana. The storm's center is located near Port O'Connor, Texas, with maximum sustained winds near 40 mph and slight re-strengthening possible later today.
Using satellite data, NASA calculated Tropical Storm Harvey's accumulated effects of rain, with totals reaching on the order of 20 inches near Galveston Bay and over 10 inches in western Louisiana. The analysis shows widespread massive flooding across the region, similar to Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.
Tropical Storm Harvey showed powerful storms that could produce heavy rainfall, with cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The storms were detected by NASA's Aqua satellite and identified areas extending from southeastern Texas into southeastern Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Harvey continues to generate significant rainfall over southeastern Texas, with forecasters predicting catastrophic flooding. NASA satellite imagery shows the storm's elongated center of circulation and extensive thunderstorms stretching into Louisiana.
Researchers discovered four major outburst floods at Lake Catalina, releasing up to 240 Hiroshima-bombs' worth of energy. The next flood is predicted to occur soon, possibly in 2018-19, with scientists attributing the increase to global warming and glacier melt.
A new study across Austria, England, and Romania finds that both public and private schemes can improve risk reduction behaviors and reduce losses in future disasters. The study suggests that insurers and governments need to better coordinate their efforts to design efficient, socially just, and politically feasible solutions.
Scientists from UC Santa Cruz and the Nature Conservancy released a report identifying lands in Florida that are potential targets for projects with multiple benefits, such as reduced flood exposure, conservation, and remediation of social vulnerability. The study proposes prioritizing property buyouts based on these factors to support...
A global analysis of rainfall and rivers reveals more intense flooding in cities and smaller catchments, coupled with a drier countryside. This is attributed to rising local temperatures causing more evaporation from moist soils, leading to reduced water flows in rural areas.
A study by Vienna University of Technology reveals that climate change has a real impact on flood events in some regions, causing them to shift in timing. The magnitude of the flood does not provide enough information to detect the impact of climate change, whereas the timing provides valuable insights into its effects.
An analysis of 50 years' worth of data reveals that climate change is causing rivers to flood earlier in the spring in western and northeastern Europe. This shift is largely attributed to changes in soil moisture retention and increased snowmelt due to warmer temperatures.
The study reveals that ancient China experienced four warm epochs, including the 20th century, with temperatures comparable to current levels. This challenges the idea that modern warming is unprecedented in recent history.
A global study concludes that building dikes to reduce flood damage yields economic benefits, outweighing initial costs. The researchers found that some regions can even avoid higher flood damages by 2080 with effective investment in flood protection measures.
A global framework study shows that new dikes can effectively address flood risk, with benefits outweighing costs. The research provides critical information for policymakers, identifying regions where efficient investment in flood protection is needed.
LSU researchers are awarded grants from the National Academies of Sciences and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to study inland-coastal environmental conditions, community health, and adaptive capacity. The projects aim to improve resilience in Gulf Coast communities, with a focus on building a Culture of Health.
Heavy rain caused significant flooding in the US Midwest from July 7 to 14, 2017. NASA's satellite data showed parts of Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio received over 6 inches of rain.
A University of Illinois study concludes that the Missouri River requires a multi-state cooperation plan to manage its dynamics and mitigate damages from flooding and erosion. Human activities such as dam construction have altered the river's course, causing sedimentation and increasing flood risks.