Articles tagged with Floods
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University of Washington experts are using the physics behind rain-on-snow flooding to better predict risks. They found that warm, humid air surrounding raindrops is most to blame for melting snow, and that tree cover can reduce flood risk by slowing storm winds.
A powerful storm system, known as the Pineapple Express, brought intense precipitation to the western US, causing flash flooding, landslides, and damage. The satellite imagery captured by NOAA's GOES-West satellite showed a stream of clouds associated with the moisture from Hawaii, leading to violent rain storms in California.
Researchers at the University of Iowa found that North Atlantic tropical cyclones significantly affect the Midwest, causing flooding in states hundreds of miles inland. The study used USGS stream gauge data to show a strong correlation between inland flooding and tropical cyclone passage.
A CU Denver study reveals that upgrading bridges, roads and infrastructure can help mitigate flood damage. The researchers suggest using scour control methods and improving construction materials to increase resilience against future flooding.
Desert streams have surprisingly simple topography despite being shaped by flash flooding, according to researchers from UCSB's Earth Research Institute. The stream's form is maintained by complex interactions among rainstorms, sediment flows, and sediment grains present on the riverbed.
A new forecasting method uses complex networks analysis to predict extreme rainfall events in the South American Andes. The approach, developed by an international team of scientists, can accurately forecast 90% of extreme rainfall events under El Niño conditions and 60% under other conditions.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured infrared data on the thunderstorms expected to bring flash flooding to parts of Arizona and other desert regions in the US Southwest. The National Weather Service warned of up to an inch of rainfall possible across Arizona, leading to potential flash flooding.
In September 2013, Colorado experienced massive flooding triggering over 1,100 debris flows across a 3,400 square kilometer area. The floods were initiated on steep slopes with high areal concentrations of colluvial soils on sedimentary rocks.
Tropical Storm Odile continues to affect the US Southwest, bringing heavy rainfall and flash flood watches. The storm is predicted to weaken and potentially become a tropical depression by early Wednesday.
Engineers used tweets from the 2013 Colorado floods to study infrastructure damage, providing insights into damage distribution, geographic scope, and time progression. This study demonstrates the potential of social media for reconnaissance by non-emergency professionals after disasters.
Hurricane Marie, over 400 miles in diameter, brings rough surf to southern California's coastline. The storm is expected to weaken and become a post-tropical cyclone as it moves northwest.
A comprehensive review examines potential influences on recent UK winter floods, including the role of global oceans and wind patterns. The study suggests that natural fluctuations may be responsible for extreme weather events, but also notes the importance of understanding the impact of climate change.
A study published in Nature Geoscience suggests that intermediate vegetation growth is key to stabilizing river deltas. This 'just right' amount of vegetation slows water flow and promotes sediment deposition, helping prevent sea-level rise from damaging sensitive marshlands.
Researchers propose a new method of flood risk assessment that starts with the null hypothesis of 'no trend' but explicitly assesses statistical uncertainties. This approach could help water managers better estimate future flood risks and avoid wasting money on unneeded infrastructure.
Researchers at Indiana University have successfully demonstrated the self-assembly of large, symmetrical molecules in 3D crystalline solids and 2D crystals. The 'bricks-and-mortar' approach shows promise for organic electronic devices such as field-effect transistors and photovoltaic cells.
A new NOAA study finds nuisance flooding is increasing on all three US coasts, with major increases in cities like Annapolis and Baltimore. Rising sea levels, land subsidence, and lost natural barriers are causing more frequent and severe flooding, especially during high tides.
A moisture stream from the remnants of Tropical Storm Wali caused early morning flash flood watches on July 19 and 21 for all Hawaiian Islands. Heavy rainfall generated by thunderstorms in the eastern half of the island resulted in a flood advisory, posing a threat to residents and visitors.
Tropical Storm Wali formed in Central Pacific Ocean as NASA's Terra satellite passed overhead, with maximum sustained winds initially at 35 mph. The storm is expected to maintain tropical storm status until Saturday before weakening to a depression.
The US National Flood Insurance Program is facing affordability issues, particularly in flood-prone areas. A proposed voucher and mitigation loan program aims to address this by requiring homeowners to invest in flood loss reduction measures.
Researchers found that global climate models fail to accurately represent the characteristics of airborne African dust, which influences Atlantic Ocean hurricanes. Surface waves in the central Beaufort Sea also play a role in energy and nutrient transport, contributing to ice retreat and potentially exacerbating coastal erosion.
Researchers at UCI used NASA satellite data to predict river basin overflow, increasing flood warning lead times from two months to five months. This could help save lives and property by providing earlier evacuation strategies.
A QUT study found that flood fear had a minimal on-going effect on property prices, with low-value suburbs being the exception. Middle and high-value homes in Brisbane experienced price rebounds within 12 months after the 2011 floods.
A new report by the European Commission's Joint Research Centre analyzes the impacts of climate change in 9 sectors, predicting significant economic losses, heat-related deaths, and coastal damage. The study finds that the northern Europe region would experience the lowest welfare losses, while southern Europe would bear the most burden.
Researchers link massive flooding in China to human-caused environmental degradation and flood-mitigation efforts dating back 3,000 years. The Yellow River's levee system was built over 2,900-700 years ago to control erosion, but it ultimately made periodic floods worse.
System 90L, a tropical low pressure area, never formed into a tropical depression but dropped heavy rainfall on eastern and southeastern Mexico. The system eventually dissipated after making landfall, resulting in gusty winds and life-threatening flash flooding.
Climate change impacts vary widely across Africa, with specific regions at high risk due to drought and flooding. The study identifies hotspots in Sudan, Ethiopia, Lake Victoria, and South Africa, requiring adaptive measures to mitigate damage.
Recent Minnesota projects demonstrate how communities can protect themselves from worsening storms through practical and affordable plans. The programs show that portions of existing drainage systems are already undersized, but significant portions should be adequate for even pessimistic mid-21st century projections.
Remnants of Tropical Depression Peipah continue to bring scattered thunderstorms and moderate to heavy rain showers across the southern Philippines. The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) has issued flood advisories for several regions due to the lingering storm system.
Researchers are studying the Amazon ecosystem's response to extreme weather events like droughts and floods to predict its impact on climate change. They will analyze data from NASA satellites, field observations, and fishery activities to understand how changes in water levels affect aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
A new study by Virginia Institute of Marine Science demonstrates the ability to predict a hurricane's storm tide at neighborhood and street levels. The team's high-resolution computer model was able to simulate water levels within 6-8 inches of those observed in New York City during Hurricane Sandy's approach and landfall.
The Landsat satellite helps track urban change, which impacts a community's flood risk, using data from NASA and the US Geological Survey. Urbanization increases flood risk as impermeable surfaces absorb water, leading to more frequent and severe flooding.
NASA's Earth-observing satellites provide detailed images of flood-affected areas, enabling better mapping of flood extent and risk assessment. The agency's new missions, such as GPM and SMAP, will further enhance flood monitoring and forecasting by providing unprecedented data on precipitation rates and soil moisture.
Researchers have discovered detrital pyrite and uraninite grains in sedimentary rocks, which constrain the rise of oxygen to younger than 2.415 billion years ago. A new model also reveals an ancient atmosphere with less than ~10^-5 atm of O2 at 2.4 billion years ago.
Current flood losses in Europe are likely to double by 2050, with socioeconomic growth accounting for two-thirds of the increased risk. Climate change is also expected to contribute to this increase, as changing rainfall patterns affect river flow and flood frequency.
A swirling Eastern Pacific Ocean storm system is heading towards California, bringing heavy rainfall and strong winds to the drought-stricken state. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the region, warning of potential flash flooding and debris flows in areas that recently burned from wildfires.
Researchers observed that worker ants and broods were extremely resistant to submersion during floods. The ants protected the queen by placing her in the center of the raft, with workers using the brood's buoyancy and their own recovery ability to minimize injury or death.
Researchers mapped landscape vulnerabilities ahead of time to help communities prepare for extreme flooding. The study used high-resolution data and computer modeling to analyze erosion, deposition, and soil characteristics, finding that areas with certain vegetation patterns were more vulnerable to flooding.
The recent Ohio River flood of 2011 caused significant agricultural land damage, with approximately 1,000 acres flooded. However, due to the timing of the flood, cultivated soils were not severely impacted, resulting in minimal loss of soil productivity and yield reduction. The study highlights the need for reevaluation and implementat...
Geophysicist Seth Stein warns that humans are often outsmarted by nature during disasters, causing unnecessary damage despite expensive mitigation measures. Stein advocates for a thoughtful approach to disaster preparedness, integrating science, economics, and policy formulation to make informed decisions.
Global average storm surge damages could increase from $10-$40 billion to up to $100,000 billion per year by the end of century if no adaptation action is taken. Investing in coastal protection measures can reduce projected damages to below $80 billion per year.
Researchers have successfully implemented a 'natural' flood management scheme in Belford Burn, Northumberland, reducing the risk of flooding and pollution. The scheme, costing £200,000, uses soft engineering solutions to restrict water flow and increase soil infiltration.
NASA's Terra satellite tracked System 94S, a tropical low, moving inland from the Northern Territory into Western Australia. The system brought heavy rainfall to the region, exceeding 50mm at Sturt Creek in the Interior Region.
The TRMM satellite has provided critical data on the devastating floods and landslides triggered by System 91W in the Philippines. The analysis revealed extremely high rainfall totals of over 1,168mm near northeastern Mindanao, causing 34 reported deaths.
System 91W continues to bring floods and heavy rainfall to the central and southern Philippines, causing 31 deaths and 36 injuries. The Joint Typhoon Warning Center predicts a high chance of System 91W becoming a tropical depression within 24 hours.
Researchers suggest that megafloods created the unique amphitheater-headed canyons in Idaho and on Mars, replacing traditional theories of groundwater sapping. The team analyzed rock samples and scour marks to support their claims, pointing to much larger water discharges and shorter flow durations.
A Virginia Tech engineer is studying the impact of the recent Colorado flood on antibiotic resistance genes. The researcher aims to understand how floodwaters can transport and disseminate these genes, which could have significant implications for human and animal health.
Research teams compared climate simulations to assess drought, water scarcity and river flooding impacts. The study found that frequency of drought may increase by over 20%, while 40% more people are at risk of absolute water scarcity without reduced greenhouse-gas emissions.
Researchers say sea-level rise will become the dominant driver of flooding and coastal damage, even if storm activity changes. The study suggests a holistic approach to manage coastal systems to mitigate this threat.
A new review finds that sea level rise and shoreline retreat are the two most certain factors expected to increase future flood risk from tropical cyclones. Accelerated sea level rise will significantly intensify flooding by these storms.
The EASAC report highlights a 60% rise in extreme weather events in Europe over the last 30 years, including heatwaves, floods, and storms. The report emphasizes the need for immediate EU-driven action to adapt to future climate disruption and reduce uncertainties in regional climate models.
A new study by UCSB researcher Michael Singer shows that sediment-absorbed mercury is being transported from the Sierra Nevada mountains to the Central Valley lowlands through major floods. This process poses a huge risk to the region's ecosystems and human population, as mercury-laden sediment is carried into ecologically sensitive re...
The Geological Society of America is presenting a late-breaking session on the 2013 Colorado flood event, which was triggered by unprecedented heavy rainfall. Speakers will discuss causes, processes, and effects of the flood, including its impact on dams, infrastructure, and lives.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding how burned landscapes respond to rainfall, enabling the development of treatments to mitigate damage. Debris flow models have helped explain where these events are most likely to occur and how large they might be.
Researchers predict that future storms could cause even more damage to New York City's barrier islands, such as Staten Island and Long Island. To mitigate this risk, the scientists propose building parks on these areas instead of rebuilding homes in flood zones.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Raymond is causing widespread flooding along Mexico's Pacific Ocean coast, with precipitation rates reaching up to 153 mm/hour. The National Hurricane Center warns of hurricane-force winds, storm surges, and coastal flooding due to the storm's stationary motion.
The new field guide delves into the geological history of the Rocky Mountains, spanning over 1.7 billion years. The book also examines the effects of unprecedented heavy rains and catastrophic flooding that hit the region in 2013, causing widespread destruction and altering the landscape.
Tufts University geologist Andrew Kemp warns that rising sea levels make coastal areas vulnerable to flooding from smaller storms. He cites glacio-isostatic adjustment and ocean thermal expansion as factors contributing to sea-level rise.
A University of Illinois survey found that homeowners are willing to pay for storm-water runoff management to reduce flooding in their basements. The study also showed a strong demand for water quality improvements and environmental benefits, with residents willing to pay for low-impact development approaches.
The NJIT Flood Mitigation Engineering Resource Center will investigate alternative measures for flood mitigation in the Hackensack/Moonachie/Little Ferry area. The project aims to enhance existing efforts and provide a comprehensive strategy for protecting citizens from future floods through innovative engineering measures.
Tropical Storm Manuel dropped heavy rains causing widespread flooding and landslides that claimed the lives of 21 people. The TRMM satellite's data showed rain totals exceeding 350mm along Mexico's Pacific coast, with some areas experiencing extreme rainfall that forced the closure of Acapulco airport.