Articles tagged with Floods
Researchers analyzed soil samples from the Manchester neighborhood in Houston, finding nearly half contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are linked to poor health outcomes and different types of cancer. The highest concentrations were found near major highways and industrial facilities.
A new study finds that global warming significantly increases the risk of population displacement due to river floods, even when accounting for population growth. The research projects a 110% increase in globally averaged displacement risk by 2100 if climate change is aligned with the Paris Agreement, highlighting the need for rapid ac...
A new study finds that combining urban development and climate change caused by greenhouse gases will increase extreme precipitation over future US metropolitan regions. Cities like Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, and Houston are vulnerable to flooding due to these twin forcing agents of environmental change.
A study by researchers at the University of Connecticut and others found that race and stream flow are significant indicators of flood risk behavior in US cities. The models showed two diverging patterns among metro areas, with 'risk-enduring' communities taking less action against flooding after a disaster.
A global analysis reveals that breaking Rossby waves and intense moisture transport are two interconnected processes driving large-scale extreme precipitation events globally. These processes, especially in dry subtropical regions, can cause devastating catastrophic flooding and loss of life.
A new study found that increased tidal ranges due to human alterations cause more nuisance flooding days in many coastal locations. Coastal nuisance flooding causes problems such as flooded roads and overloaded stormwater systems, and researchers urge caution in altering sensitive estuarine systems.
Researchers found that warming temperatures intensify future rainfall extremes, with largest increases to short thunderstorms causing dangerous flash flooding. This study highlights the urgent need for climate change adaptation measures as heavier short-term rainfall increases flash flood risks globally.
New research highlights how extreme rainfall associated with climate change harms babies' development, leading to smaller birth-weight and premature birth. The study found that even non-extreme intense rainfall resulted in lower birth-weight, with children from disadvantaged households facing the most severe effects.
A new study suggests that grandfathered rates in the National Flood Insurance Program could lead to losses for the NFIP as flood risk grows due to rising sea levels. Experts recommend replacing grandfathering with a gradual phase-in of risk-based insurance prices and providing means-tested assistance to lower-income households.
Researchers explore incorporating Earth observation data into flood forecast-based early action to reduce disaster risk and losses. The study identifies opportunities for using EO data in FbA, focusing on predefined triggers and impact-based forecasting.
New research finds that job opportunities in coastal cities across Bangladesh are attracting more people, leading to increased migration to the coast. Meanwhile, populations already living along the coast tend to stay due to limited alternatives and increased flood damage.
The Columbia River basin is projected to experience a significant increase in flooding severity and expansion of the flood season due to climate change. The magnitude of one-, 10- and 100-year floods is likely to rise nearly everywhere in the region, with the largest increases expected for the Willamette River and its tributaries.
A new study finds human-induced climate change responsible for the retreat of Palcaraju Glacier, leading to a significant increase in glacial lake outburst flooding. The research provides critical evidence for an ongoing case in German courts, highlighting the need for protective measures and reimbursement.
Researchers studying soil conditions at US military installations along coasts aim to understand the effects of sea level rise and flooding. They will collect data through intensive monitoring and laboratory experiments to develop geospatial modeling tools.
Researchers introduce metacoupling, an integrated approach that considers local and global scales to tackle environmental crises. The framework allows scientists to view the world as it truly is, with human actions influencing nature across space and time.
A recent study found that dams can decrease the number of people globally exposed to historical once-in-100-year floods by approximately 15% downstream of dams. Integrating dam landscapes into existing flood modeling frameworks is crucial for realistic assessments of population exposure to present and future floods.
A new study finds that even a modest sea level rise would place 100 airports below mean sea level by 2100, posing a significant risk to global passenger and freight movements. The researchers ranked airports at risk from sea level rise, with some in Asia and Europe topping the list.
Healthcare workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect both themselves and patients. Provinces should include exemptions for those with underlying health issues or other reasons.
Scientists discover nearly 300 novel microbial species near a deep-sea volcano, revealing new insights into their extreme environment. Researchers also develop self-healing elastomers with unprecedented adhesion strength, and create a flood mapping tool to visualize water spread for any scenario and terrain.
A new study by Stanford researchers reveals that climate change has substantially contributed to the growing cost of flooding in the US. The analysis, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, found that changes in precipitation accounted for 36% of actual flood damages from 1988 to 2017.
A regional study from Dartmouth College found increases in extreme streamflow events across the US and Canada, including more frequent floods and droughts. The research analyzed records dating back to 1910 and identified significant changes in precipitation levels on river systems.
New research suggests that phosphorous and calcium levels in Amazonian dark earth are orders of magnitude higher than in surrounding soil, correlating with 16 trace elements that indicate pre-settlement river flooding delivered nutrients. This finding challenges the long-held theory that controlled burning created these fertile sites.
An international research team proposes a 'glocal' approach to better predict and prevent flooding disasters by combining global forecasting with local observations. The proposed system, GHS-F, aims to provide highly detailed and consistent rain-flood information, which could help avoid some flooding damage.
Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology predict that 100-year and 500-year flood levels will become regular occurrences in Jamaica Bay, New York by the end of the century. Climate change is expected to lead to more intense and frequent storms, causing greater flooding even if storm intensity remains the same.
A new study finds that bridge construction in rural Nicaragua significantly increases integration, leading to substantial positive economic impact on rural economies. Bridges also increase labor income for households in non-flood periods and agricultural productivity, resulting in higher profits and investments.
A QUT-led study reveals jaguars in the Amazon can cope with drought and flood, but repeated exposure leads to rapid decline. The species' long-term survival is threatened by climate change and food scarcity, with predictions suggesting a potential population crash in 30 years.
A new study using ancient tree rings reveals that the Brahmaputra River's flooding is more frequent than previously thought, with estimates underestimating the danger by nearly 40%. The research found that the river's discharge was much wetter in the past, with periods of extreme flooding that may not be comparable to modern times.
Researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology developed a new method for recovering heavy oil, achieving 55% recovery compared to 35-33% with alkaline water or regular water. The method uses a viscoelastic material to improve sweep efficiency.
Mangrove forests are under pressure from three distinct threats: sea-level rise, lack of mud supply, and squeezed habitats. The study found that river dams decrease mud supply, while buildings and seawalls occupy space required for mangroves' survival.
A team led by Eric Gaidos discovered the mechanism behind glacial lake floods, which are some of the largest on Earth. The researchers found that hydraulic connections between glaciers and lakes can lead to sudden and unpredictable floods.
Researchers studied a 2014 GLOF event in Ladakh, India, to understand the cause of rapid lake level rise. They found that increased glacial melting caused thawing ice cores to drain through subsurface tunnels without spilling over.
A team of Penn State researchers suggests considering uncertainties when deciding how high to elevate houses in river flood zones. By looking at the range of possible outcomes, decision makers can improve their choices, reducing both the probability of flooding and net costs.
Researchers have discovered microplastics in groundwater, which can contaminate drinking water sources and harm ecosystems. The presence of microplastics in groundwater has been linked to increased toxicity and bioaccumulation, posing a significant risk to human health and the environment.
A study by University of Arizona researchers found that Black and Hispanic people are more likely to live in areas at high risk of flooding. The study suggests that certain reforms to the National Flood Insurance Program could disproportionately negatively impact these groups.
A study by Indiana University researchers finds that 31 million people living on river deltas worldwide are at high risk of experiencing flooding and other climate-related impacts. River deltas contain 4.5% of the global population, but only 0.5% of the earth's land surface.
Researchers have discovered that rivers will jump course more often on deltas than in the past, with avulsions occurring up to 20 times farther upstream. The combination of sea level rise, increased floods, and finer sediment size enables these destructive events to occur ever farther inland.
Native broadleaf trees planted in upland areas can absorb rainwater more efficiently, reducing peak river flow and flood risk. This nature-based solution is an effective and natural flood management tool that can be maximized with careful placement.
Slow-moving post-tropical storm Beta continues to drop large amounts of rainfall in Texas as it moves into the Lower Mississippi Valley. The NASA satellite rainfall product estimated Beta's rainfall rates, with flash flood watches currently in effect across southeast Texas and southern Louisiana.
Tropical Storm Beta is expected to stall inland over Texas today, bringing heavy rains and flash flooding. NASA's Aqua satellite analyzed the storm using infrared data, revealing coldest cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 63 degrees Fahrenheit.
NASA used satellites to estimate Hurricane Sally's rainfall and create a flood warning map. The storm generated high rainfall rates near its core, resulting in widespread flooding along the Gulf Coast.
Hurricane Sally made landfall near Gulf Shores, Alabama as a Category 2 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Heavy rainmakers were detected north of the eye, with cloud top temperatures reaching -80 degrees Fahrenheit.
A new study suggests that real-time seismic monitoring could detect glacial lake outburst floods five hours before they reach downstream communities. Researchers reconstructed the 1994 Punakha flood using seismic data, showing promise for a seismology-based early warning system.
A new study provides a global analysis of storm surge footprints, showing they are more dependent on storm track direction than intensity. This information can improve coastal risk analysis, emergency plans, and adaptation measures, highlighting the importance of inter-state and international collaboration for disaster preparedness.
Researchers developed a non-toxic nanofluid using commercially available sodium, achieving 80% oil recovery in lab tests. The nanofluid works through multiple mechanisms, including generating heat and reducing viscosity, making it a game-changing technology for oil recovery.
A study reveals that ancient Peruvian farmers used floodwater from El Niño events for agriculture, benefiting from flushed-out salts and flexible irrigation systems. This ancient farming practice allowed for runoff harvesting and river water distribution, suggesting potential agricultural advantages during El Niño events.
Researchers assessed flood vulnerability in Tucson's low-income neighborhoods and found that comprehensive green infrastructure increases multimodal access in moderate flooding conditions. They prioritized upstream mitigation, roadside basins, and other design elements to maximize accessibility.
Researchers have discovered a way to make staple foods resistant to flooding triggered by climate change. By manipulating enzymes that control plant responses to low oxygen levels, scientists hope to create flood-tolerant crops that can help mitigate the devastating impact of extreme weather events on food production.
Tropical Depression Laura is generating heavy rain and triggering watches across the eastern U.S., with a risk of tornadoes in parts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and southern Kentucky. The depression is moving east-northeast at 20 mph, expected to continue along the Ohio Valley through tonight.
A new study by researchers from the University of Göttingen and IPB University reveals that land use change leads to more frequent and severe flooding in Indonesia. The expansion of monocultures such as oil palm and rubber plantations causes soil degradation, changes in precipitation patterns, and increased water runoff.
Texas A&M researchers have created a contagious model to accurately forecast flood water spread and recession process on urban road networks. The findings provide valuable insights into the universality of network spread processes across various systems, which can help better manage cities.
Researchers found an increased threat to populated areas from rising water tables and the possibility of flooding in unexpected inland areas. The study indicates that rising sea levels could push freshwater closer to the surface, putting infrastructure at coastal seaports and national airports at risk.
A new study by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology found that land surface conditions can affect mesoscale convective systems, allowing for more accurate forecasts and up to six hours' warning. This will inform alert systems for communities across Africa, enabling them to better prepare for severe flooding.
Rising sea levels may cause more frequent and devastating river avulsions, altering the course of rivers to the sea. This shift in river dynamics could lead to costly infrastructure failures and increased flood risks for coastal communities.
Researchers found that instilling trust among stakeholders and understanding the science behind flooding were crucial for a successful collaborative decision-making process. This approach led to the implementation of a sustainable flood mitigation strategy that balanced individual needs with environmental protection.
A new study reveals that census areas with more white, affluent homeowners file higher flood insurance claims than lower-income minority residents. The researchers found that social demographic variables, including politics and property values, improve predictions of flood insurance claims.
Researchers develop a new class of materials that can seamlessly transfer a compound's bright fluorescence to a solid state, overcoming a long-standing barrier. The breakthrough has potential applications in solar energy harvesting, bioimaging, and lasers.
Researchers find that San Francisco Bay Area coastal flooding causes region-wide commute disruptions, particularly in areas with sparse road networks. Climate change exacerbates the issue, and measuring road network density is crucial for understanding community resilience to flood-related delays.
A recent satellite survey tracked California's entire coast for over a decade, revealing local hotspots of subsidence in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Cruz. The study found that these areas will face increased flooding risk as sea levels rise, with rates of subsidence reaching up to 8.7 mm/year.
Tropical Storm Isaias developed into a tropical storm on July 29 with a well-defined center, according to NASA-NOAA satellites. The storm is expected to produce heavy rain and life-threatening flash flooding in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.
A new study suggests that coastal flooding events could impact up to 287 million people and assets worth US $14.2 trillion globally by 2100. The areas predicted to be most affected are north-west Europe, south-east and east Asia, and northern Australia.