Articles tagged with Floods
Researchers at the University of Bonn have developed a cost-effective method to measure river levels around the clock using a GNSS antenna and Raspberry Pi microcomputer. The device is capable of transmitting data continuously via mobile communication, making it suitable for area-wide flood warning systems.
Researchers used satellites with radar imaging sensors to map flooding and assess flood impacts in Queensland. The technique combines images from optical satellites with information from imaging radar satellites, providing faster update times and more accurate data.
Researchers found that summer rainfall and autumn-winter dry days are increasing, leading to fluvial discharge and sediment load in rainy seasons and water deficits in dry seasons. The Pantanal's complex geomorphology, including mega-fans and self-affine landforms, makes it susceptible to anthropic interference.
Researchers at Cornell University found that FEMA's federal home buyout policies are inaccessible and inequitable due to bureaucratic hurdles. By studying regional and state programs, the team suggests that coordinating local strategies can make these buyouts more effective and equitable for all communities.
A new study by UNSW and the University of Melbourne found that estimates of Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) for large dams in Australia are expected to increase by 14-38% on average over the next 80 years. This is due to climate change and outdated modelling, which has not been updated since at least 20 years ago.
Using 1980s environmental inventories, researchers found that disaster risk assessment could have predicted the damage from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The study compared composite risk maps from the 1980s with post-2011 hazard maps to show a significant increase in high-risk areas.
Researchers analyzed human characteristics, path risk elements, and path network configuration in flood evacuation route choices. Their findings suggest that residents rely on safety perception rather than spatial logic when selecting evacuation routes.
A study by Linköping University finds that current measurement methods are insufficient for reducing emissions and meeting the Paris Agreement's 2°C target. The researchers highlight the need for cheap and easy-to-use methods to track all types of greenhouse gas emissions at a local level.
A new study warns that climate change will negatively impact mountain landscapes and human activity, increasing risks of natural hazards like avalanches and river floods. Mountain communities are also affected, with traditional practices like transhumance and agriculture dying out due to changing weather patterns and water scarcity.
A new Concordia University study reveals that extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and heatwaves, have failed to drive government climate action. Despite the devastating economic and human costs of these disasters, governments have remained slow to enact meaningful reforms.
A new high-resolution flood modeling platform assesses risks every 10 feet across the Greater Los Angeles basin, revealing heightened risk and disparities. The framework connects hazards with demographic data, exposing household exposure and inequalities.
Researchers from Singapore University of Technology and Design show that restoring natural water availability to the Mekong's floodplains is possible through coordination among hydropower producers. By altering dam release decisions and production plans, key components of hydrological variability can be restored, leading to improved ec...
Scientists warn that climate change is at the door and pounding hard due to rising global temperatures, natural disasters, and infectious diseases. The report highlights urgent need to protect nature, eliminate fossil fuel emissions and support socially just climate adaptations.
Researchers highlight climate-sensitive dermatological manifestations initiated or exacerbated by floods, wildfires, and extreme heat events. These events disproportionately affect marginalized populations, exacerbating existing health disparities.
A team of WVU researchers is studying how people bounce back after disastrous flooding, using lessons learned from the 2016 West Virginia flood. The project aims to create a more effective framework for flood response and community recovery in West Virginia, with a focus on identifying gaps in organizational capacity and improving floo...
The editorial urges wealthy nations to step up support for Africa and vulnerable countries in addressing past, present, and future impacts of climate change. The climate crisis has destroyed a fifth of the GDP of the most vulnerable countries.
A comprehensive review of ocean warming reveals that global ocean heat content has increased by over 90% since the 1950s. The study predicts that if greenhouse gas emissions are not reduced, ocean warming will continue to accelerate, leading to more intense storms, droughts, and sea-level rise.
A new study reveals that flooding can have both detrimental and beneficial effects on food security in Africa. Over 12% of those experiencing food insecurity had their status affected by flooding, with impacts varying by time period and regional scale.
Researchers found that conventional engineered solutions are limited in their ability to adapt to climate change, while nature-based solutions can help coasts absorb impacts of coastal floods and storm surges. The study suggests a shift towards resilience strategies such as living shorelines, constructed wetlands, and strategic retreat.
A study published in Remote Sensing has found substantial subsidence in Katy, Spring, The Woodlands, Mont Belvieu, with groundwater and oil extraction identified as primary causes. Severe subsidence poses a risk of flooding and exacerbates negative feedback loops.
A new study from the University of Kansas reveals that media coverage of Hurricane Harvey in 2017 perpetuated racial biases in image presentation, showing people of color as displaced migrants, women as damsels in distress, and white men as saviors. The study highlights how these representations reinforce cultural narratives and stereo...
A workshop on flood risk governance in Brazil and the UK identified research gaps, including local data, integration systems, and visualization tools. Innovative initiatives are being developed using tools such as an app that empowers citizens to input data and improve disaster prevention.
A Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study found that hundreds of hospitals on the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts are at risk of flooding from Category 1-4 storms, with sea level rise expected to increase this risk by 22% this century. The study highlights the need for coastal hospitals to prepare for greater risks in the future.
The global survey highlights intense exposure to extreme heat, water scarcity, and flooding due to climate change, with cities in developing countries facing significant infrastructure gaps. City leaders also report challenges related to private automobiles, biking, and walking, as well as budgetary concerns and mental health issues.
The six interdisciplinary studies will explore effective ways to expand UK trees, hedgerows, woodlands, and forests in rural and urban settings. Researchers aim to improve understanding of treescapes' value to people and the planet, supporting the Government's ambition to increase tree cover.
A team of international scientists found that many densely populated coastal cities worldwide are at risk from sea level rise due to land subsidence. The study used satellite images to estimate the rate of land sinking in 48 cities, with median speeds ranging from 16.2mm/year to 43mm/year.
A new study examines the impact of sea level rise on building foundations and proposes a method for inspection and repair to lower costs. The researchers estimate that the annual repair cost for foundations in Mobile, Alabama, could total $90 million by 2100.
The University of Missouri has received a $25 million grant from the USDA to help farmers adapt to climate change through climate-smart practices. The five-year project aims to improve crop and livestock resilience on up to 500,000 acres of Missouri farmland.
Researchers from Hiroshima University have identified two types of genes that are upregulated in both rice and thale cress when exposed to oxygen deprivation. The study suggests distinct molecular mechanisms under hypoxia in plants and animals, with potential applications for creating flood-tolerant crops.
A WVU professor is developing advanced software and a simulation lab to enhance power grid crisis response. The research aims to create flexible, precise, and rapid responses from both network infrastructures and human grid operators.
A study published in Nature found that floods and droughts are becoming more frequent and intense, despite improvements in risk management. The international research team identified two successful cases of flood management: Barcelona and Central Europe.
New research from the University of East Anglia finds that hydropower developments lead to flooding forests, driving biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruptions. The study reveals widespread species extinction, especially among large-bodied species, highlighting the need for sustainable energy security and biodiversity conservation.
New research shows that up to 50% of residences in Houston's Harris County would not have been flooded by Hurricane Harvey if it weren't for climate change. This equates to about 50,000 fewer homes damaged and billions of dollars saved.
New research from the University of Waterloo suggests that relying on stormwater management ponds to restore wetlands is unsustainable and lacks critical ecosystem services. The study found a low proportion of wetlands left in areas with high pond creation rates, posing an environmental challenge.
A team of researchers developed a unified model to predict human movement during large-scale extreme events. The model reveals 'spatiotemporal decay' and 'temporal decay,' showing people limit their mobility near disaster zones and exhibit faster changes in lower income areas.
Researchers have discovered that reactive oxygen species (ROS) can serve as a communication signal to indicate plant stress, which is critical for crop survival and can significantly decrease with multiple stressors. By monitoring ROS levels, farmers can identify plants under stress and take corrective measures to prevent crop loss.
Researchers at the University of Tsukuba found that allowing cross-border evacuations can reduce evacuation time by 14% and improve public safety. However, intermunicipal cooperation is required to make this approach effective.
A new resilience sensing system can identify areas in danger of collapse and measure the success of conservation efforts. Global average resilience has declined over the last 20 years, with regions such as the Amazon rainforest showing signs of loss of resilience.
Researchers recover data from sensors swept away by massive underwater avalanche in Congo Canyon, providing new insights into sediment flow and seabed cable breakages. The study reveals the hazards of powerful turbidity currents and their impact on global communications.
A new national study found that households led by women, those with children under age 18, renters, low-income individuals, and minority groups are less likely to be minimally prepared for disasters. The researchers recommend targeting these vulnerable groups with disaster preparedness resources.
A new study by Oregon State University found that Houston residents experienced a significant increase in chemical exposure after Hurricane Harvey, with 75% of chemicals detected at higher concentrations. The study used silicone wristbands to measure exposure to hazardous chemicals, including pesticides and industrial compounds.
A new computer model developed by Louisiana State University oceanographer Giulio Mariotti shows that barrier island retreat will accelerate by 50 percent within a century due to rising sea levels. The model challenges the common assumption that barrier islands respond instantly to sea level rise, revealing a lag between the two.
Researchers analyzed the catastrophic failure of Japan's Misasa Railroad Bridge, revealing that flood hydrodynamic forces exceeded seismic design standards by nearly double. The study recommends increasing space under bridges to reduce submersion and designing structures to withstand overflow.
A new approach to developing flood maps uses confidence intervals to capture the uncertainty in flood predictions, providing a more realistic depiction of flood zones. This simplified method is more accessible and cost-effective than traditional methods, producing acceptable results with less effort and lower costs.
New research finds that limiting global warming to 1.5°C could reduce human exposure to water scarcity, heat stress, and vector-borne diseases by 10-44% globally. The study also identifies West Africa, India, and North America as regions with projected increased climate change risks.
Researchers studying Mexico City's 700-year history highlight the need for democratic adaptation decisions and prioritizing climate justice over technological innovation. The city's complex water management system, built on an island in a saline lake, demonstrates trade-offs between flood control and urban development.
A new analysis demonstrates that mangrove and coral reef restoration can be a cost-effective solution for coastal flood reduction. The study found that the benefits from reduced flood damage exceed the costs of restoration, making nature-based solutions an attractive option for funding.
Researchers warn policymakers that inadequate charging networks can derail EV adoption efforts, particularly if floods disrupt charging infrastructure, affecting not just the immediate area but also farther away. Strong public confidence in the network is crucial for long-term adoption and meeting carbon reduction targets.
Climate-related events and air pollution disproportionately affect socially and economically disadvantaged children, exacerbating health issues such as preterm birth, respiratory illness, and malnutrition. The authors emphasize the need for simultaneous adaptation and mitigation strategies to protect children's health.
A new study found that conventional methods for calculating flood risk underestimate frequencies, especially at the 100-year flood, due to neglecting unique roles of each flood type. Researchers from DRI, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Colorado State University investigated historic floods in 308 watersheds.
A study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that extreme weather events exacerbate gender-based violence by creating socioeconomic instability, structural power inequalities, and mental stress. This can lead to physical injury, unwanted pregnancy, and long-term consequences for victims.
Researchers have found a signaling molecule that helps plants survive flooding by triggering a molecular emergency power system. Pretreating plants with ethylene improves their chances of survival. The study could lead to the development of resistant plant varieties to combat waterlogging and flooding in agriculture.
A new study reveals that Nor'easters produce flood levels just as severe as hurricanes, but occur much more frequently in the Mid-Atlantic region. The intense storms can cause significant damage and disruption along the coastline, with some events surpassing those from tropical cyclones.
A recent study found that global warming is likely to increase the frequency of strong Western Pacific Subtropical High events, leading to enhanced flood risk in East China. This is due to increased sensitivity of rainfall and atmospheric convection to sea surface temperature variability under warmer climates.
A multidisciplinary project aims to develop a decision-making tool to estimate the risk of water contamination in flooded areas. The research team will collect public data and conduct field work to test their approach in small study areas, ultimately enabling Québec to reduce health risks by better protecting water quality.
A new study proposes designing permeable pavements to reduce flood impacts in Australia, with the potential to store up to 50% of rainfall and reduce urban flooding by up to 50%. The proposed system takes into account local soil types and rainfall intensity, and has been tested on 107 towns and cities across Australia.
Researchers have identified a cork-like substance called suberin that helps protect rice roots from floods and drought. By understanding how suberin is produced, they hope to use gene editing or selective breeding to make the crop more resilient to climate change.
Researchers at Universities of Cologne and Bayreuth found that flooding frequency and topography determine the abundance of microplastics in an alluvial Rhine soil. The study, published in Science of the Total Environment, revealed that microplastics can accumulate in floodplains and be transported into deeper soil layers.
A Brazilian study found that inclusion of visually impaired individuals is crucial for effective disaster prevention policy. The research highlighted barriers to their participation and proposed solutions such as smartphone apps and education to mitigate vulnerability to environmental hazards.
A new online tool, HazardAware, provides disaster readiness reports for 13.3 million addresses in 196 counties along the Gulf of Mexico, including all of Florida. The tool assesses a property's resilience to hazards such as hurricanes and flooding, and offers customized mitigation information to reduce future hazard loss.