Articles tagged with Floods
New satellite data shows that 45% of urban areas in China are sinking, with 16% experiencing rapid subsidence. The affected cities could experience catastrophic flooding if left unchecked, with Shanghai's urban area potentially tripling in size by 2120.
The year 2023 saw unprecedented extreme weather events globally, with a record-breaking temperature increase of 1.45°C above pre-industrial times. Emerging features include earlier onset of heatwaves and increased simultaneous events in different parts of the world.
A recent study by University of Hawaii at Manoa researchers highlights the hidden threat of global underground infrastructure vulnerability to sea-level rise. Shallow and saltier groundwater exacerbates corrosion and failure of critical systems such as sewer lines, roadways, and building foundations in cities worldwide.
Researchers found that salt marsh restoration can reduce flood risk, preserve habitats, and provide recreational opportunities. The study also emphasizes the importance of integrating nature-based solutions into comprehensive climate resilience strategies to mitigate future climate change impacts.
Urban flooding is increasing due to climate change and urbanization, posing a significant threat to pedestrian safety. Researchers found that building configurations can significantly impact flood vulnerability; staggered layouts provide more danger zones, while rounded or circular footprints reduce high-floodwater areas.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in flash flood forecasting by studying rainfall patterns in China's mountainous regions. The study found that advanced hydrological models can accurately simulate water balances and flash flood behavior indices under uniform rainfall conditions, but struggle with short, intense bursts of rainfall.
A UK feasibility study suggests that a carbon credit scheme could support private investment in saltmarsh restoration, providing vital habitat for wildlife and addressing the climate crisis. The introduction of a Saltmarsh Code would pave the way for projects with public financing to contribute to restoration efforts.
Researchers analyzed over 3,500 river basins worldwide, finding that precipitation was the sole determining factor in only 25% of flood events. Soil moisture and air temperature were decisive factors in around 10% and 3% of cases, respectively. The study suggests that more extreme floods are caused by multiple factors interacting.
Researchers develop hypothetical extreme flooding scenarios by shifting precipitation events, showing regions previously spared could have been hit hard. The approach aims to motivate society to prepare for exceptional flooding events in a warming world.
Engineers have developed a modular artificial reef structure made of concrete voxels that can dissipate wave energy more effectively than natural coral reefs. The design, optimized through hydrodynamic modeling and experimental testing, has been confirmed by tests at the MIT Towing Tank.
A new MIT-derived algorithm corrects coarse climate model predictions by 'nudging' them toward more realistic patterns, leading to more accurate forecasts of extreme weather events. The approach uses machine learning and dynamical systems theory to improve the resolution of large-scale climate models.
Researchers at Lehigh University found that low- to mid-level flooding events are the most vulnerable to cyber attacks, which can overwhelm the system and cause a flood downstream. The study developed a mathematical framework to identify vulnerabilities in stormwater systems, allowing municipalities to assess their risks.
The rapid assessment of the Kakhovka Dam breach has estimated that half a million hectares of protected habitats have been exposed to hazards, including nutrients and pollutants. The study will support international action to restore a biodiversity hotspot in southern Ukraine.
A study estimates that global ecosystems provide USD 112-197 trillion to the economy, with forests and wetlands accounting for nearly 80% of this value. Strong synergies are found among oxygen release, climate regulation, and carbon sequestration services, while trade-offs occur between flood regulation and other services.
Increased frequency and intensity of western disturbances, fueled by Tibetan Plateau warming, threaten India's water supplies. The loss of winter snowpack and late-season storms exacerbate the risk of catastrophic flooding.
Experts from the University of Birmingham have devised a blueprint for efficient evacuation of elderly people in flood-threatened cities. The study highlights significant differences in evacuation patterns between Shanghai and New York City, emphasizing the need for risk-informed planning to protect vulnerable populations.
A new study projects that as many as 500,000 people could be affected and 1 in 35 properties damaged by flooding in 32 US coastal cities by 2050. The research highlights racial and socioeconomic demographics of those potentially affected.
Scientists create detailed models of the terrestrial water cycle using high-resolution satellite data to predict floods, droughts, and other extreme events. The Digital Twin Earth Hydrology Platform allows for interactive simulations and visualizations to enhance flood and landslide prediction and optimize water resource management.
A recent study found that rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones (RI) are already more hazardous than normal TCs and will worsen coastal flooding under future climate warming. RI events may increase by 10-30% for each degree of global mean temperature increase, posing a significant threat to coastal communities.
A major research programme found that climate change risks to human and natural systems greatly increase with global warming, leading to droughts, flooding, crop yields decline, and loss of biodiversity. Limiting global warming to 1.5 ºC could reduce these risks by up to 61% in some countries.
A study reveals that consecutive atmospheric river events lead to significantly higher economic losses in California, tripling expected damages compared to standalone events. This is crucial for emergency and water managers balancing flood risks with water shortage needs.
A recent study examines the frequency of compound drought and pluvial flooding, as well as their reverse patterns, finding that 15.46% of meteorological droughts are succeeded by a pluvial the following season globally, with regional variability existing in Eurasia, western North America, South Asia, and Australia.
Researchers urge shift towards more sustainable forestry practices and policy to manage global growing flood risk. A probabilistic approach can better understand the effects of deforestation on floods, considering multiple factors like climate change, land use, and logging.
A new study finds that NFIP insurance adoption leads to a significant increase in population growth in high-flood-risk areas. The authors estimate that the program contributes to 5% more population per standard deviation increase in historical flood risk, resulting in higher damages from disasters like Hurricane Katrina and Harvey.
A new compound flooding model predicts that New York City will experience historic and devastating floods every 30 years by the end of this century, a fivefold increase from the present climate. The tool helps city planners prepare and protect against future disasters by providing detailed flood forecasts.
Researchers have created a lightweight, portable antenna that can switch between two operating states to communicate with satellites or devices on the ground. The antenna's unique design allows it to be compact and foldable, making it ideal for disaster-struck areas or underdeveloped regions.
A modelling study published in Scientific Reports predicts that EU and UK economies will suffer significant economic losses, with the majority concentrated in coastal regions. Targeted investment in certain sectors is expected to reduce regional losses, but overall economic impact remains substantial.
Researchers at Lancaster University found that tidal range schemes can protect estuaries and coastal areas from sea level rise by harnessing high tides and maintaining low tide levels. These barrages can provide jobs, reliable power, and reduced costs while conserving habitats.
Researchers at UH are expanding research knowledge and building a new curriculum for students to address climate change impacts on food crops. They aim to improve plant growth and build resistance against extreme weather events, such as droughts and heat waves.
A new study reveals that accelerating sea level rise will exacerbate existing social inequality in coastal areas, with minority populations facing the most severe burdens. Rising sea levels disrupt transportation networks and roads, leading to increased isolation and reduced access to essential services.
Researchers propose integrating smart-city technologies to boost flood resilience in coastal cities. They argue that emerging technologies like IoT, 5G, and big data can enable real-time data collection, analysis, and decision-making, leading to more responsive and resilient urban environments.
Researchers found local rivers and streams to be the source of Salmonella enterica contamination after Hurricane Florence, contradicting assumptions about pig farms. The study has critical implications for disease control and prevention in coastal regions affected by tropical storms.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals the Third Pole is vulnerable to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) due to climate change, with 1,499 lakes at high risk. The research estimates that 190,000 lives are directly exposed to GLOF paths and $55 billion worth of infrastructure is threatened.
Native Americans in Oklahoma have approximately five times increased risk of heavy rainfall, with two-year floods projected to be 632.6% higher than the general population. The study aims to help Native American leaders develop disaster risk reduction plans and protect vulnerable communities.
A new study of 600 years of tree rings from the San Joaquin Valley reveals that climate extremes have been more severe and lasted longer than modern records, highlighting flood and drought risks in California. The research combines paleo information with synthetic weather generation to help understand and anticipate these risks.
Researchers evaluated global water models using new approach, finding inconsistencies in climate regions and water extremes, with implications for agriculture and groundwater use. The study highlights the need for improved model evaluation methods to inform decision makers and improve model development.
A recent study published in the Journal of Climate confirms that global warming is increasing the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall extremes exponentially. The study's findings suggest that extreme rainfall will be heavier and more frequent, impacting social welfare, economies, and social stability.
A team of researchers used trail cameras and GPS collars to track the effects of Cyclone Idai on Gorongosa National Park's mammal community. They found that body size was a key predictor of survival, with smaller animals more vulnerable to the storm's impact.
A new research project uses data from over 8,000 gauging stations across Europe to predict mega-floods, reducing the surprise factor of their occurrence. By considering hydrologically similar areas, flood disasters can be anticipated and mitigated, saving lives.
A new land change model simulates interactions between urban growth, increased flooding, and human adaptation, offering deeper insights into adaptive capacities and identifying communities with limited resources. The model reduces projected developed land exposed to flooding by 5-24% depending on flood hazard zone.
A study of 110 Colorado facilities found that 74.5% are at risk of climate-related hazards, including wildfires, heatwaves, and floods. Incarcerated individuals from marginalized communities face added risk due to poor infrastructure and lack of agency.
Researchers created a rapid assessment tool, FAST, to estimate the depth of flooding and population exposure. The analysis estimated adaptation costs between $1.5-$3.6 billion for 7.4 million people affected by 1-2 meters of flood depth.
A research project involving citizens in flood-prone areas improves data collection and increases resilience. The methodology shows a combination of digital technologies, participatory methods, and co-production of new understandings to enable just and sustainable transformations.
A new study finds that four out of five Miami-Dade County residents may face disruption or displacement due to sea-level rise, with lower-income people bearing the brunt. As habitable areas shrink and housing prices rise, only a small number of affluent residents can relocate, while many others are trapped in low-lying properties.
A new study confirms the presence of deadly Vibrio bacteria in Florida's coastal waters following Hurricane Ian. The research, led by University of Maryland senior author Rita Colwell, found high levels of pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus, particularly in oyster samples from Lee County.
Researchers found that flooding led to subsidence, with areas flooded experiencing hotspots of subsidence exceeding 3 inches over a few years. The study used satellite data from 2015-2019 and found that subsidence was most pronounced in flooded locations, particularly those with high ice content.
A new study from the University of Kansas found that mandated disaster plans have mediocre quality and modest improvements over time. Despite regular updates, the plans fail to address key issues such as public engagement and land use policies, leading to repeated mistakes in areas prone to natural disasters.
A global decade-long study found that people impacted by floods are at significantly increased risk of dying between three and six weeks after the event. The risk of death increases by up to 4.9% for respiratory deaths and persists for up to 60 days, with peak mortality rates reached around 25 days.
A new study finds that global warming will lead to an increase in compound climate extremes such as heavy rainfall and heatwaves, which will have devastating impacts on communities. The regions most affected are already prone to geologic hazards and produce many of the world's crops.
A new study finds that most coastal communities will experience 100-year floods annually by the end of the century, even under a moderate carbon emission scenario. Rising sea levels will lead to an increase in extreme flood events worldwide.
River water quality is deteriorating during extreme weather events, such as droughts, heatwaves, rainstorms, and floods. The study found that water quality tends to decline during these events due to increased contaminant transport and reduced dilution.
Researchers at the University of Melbourne have developed a new simulation model that can predict flooding during an ongoing disaster more quickly and accurately. The Low-Fidelity, Spatial Analysis and Gaussian Process Learning (LSG) model can produce predictions as accurate as advanced models but at speeds 1000 times faster.
A recent study uncovered the facts behind the 1931 Yangtze River flood, which affected 25 million lives and claimed over 2 million lives. The research found that tropical El Nino-related sea surface temperature forcing and extratropical wave activities over the Eurasian continent combined to cause the disaster.
A University of Texas at Arlington study estimates human destruction of natural floodplains on a global scale for the first time. The research found that between 1992 and 2019, the world lost 600,000 square kilometers of floodplains due to human disturbances.
The State of the Climate report confirms record highs in greenhouse gas concentrations, global sea levels, and ocean heat content. Scientists from over 60 countries contributed to the annual review, providing a comprehensive update on Earth's climate indicators and notable weather events.
Historically underserved communities are more likely to live behind subpar levees with fewer resources to maintain infrastructure. The study highlights the need for targeted funding to address these disparities and reduce the risk of catastrophic levee failure.
A survey of 10,981 US adults found that toxic molds, fossil fuels, and antibiotics are common causes of chemical intolerance. The study suggests that reducing exposure to mold, pesticides, and other contaminants may help prevent future cases.
A new study suggests that emphasizing the need for energy independence and environmental stewardship could change people's minds about climate change. The research found that those who deny climate change often focus on personal experiences and local issues, but may not be aware of the scale of the problem.
Researchers found 27 million cubic meters of sediment moved through Houston waterways, equivalent to 40% of the Mississippi River's annual discharge. The study suggests river straightening can exacerbate sediment bypass, decreasing reservoir holding capacities by up to 1.6%
The University of Cambridge team warns that Africa's lack of hydromet infrastructure will lead to a surge in climate-related disasters and deaths. The continent has just 6% of the number of radar stations as Europe and North America, making it vulnerable to floods, droughts, and heatwaves.