Articles tagged with Storm Surges
A Virginia Tech team analyzed over 1,000 storm surge events to identify distinct patterns that depend on both storm characteristics and coastal geography. The findings could help engineers design infrastructure to withstand unique flood timelines and support better planning and decision making for coastal communities.
A new study finds that a slowing Atlantic Ocean current will strengthen powerful storms in California while reducing snowfall over Greenland. The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation's weakening is projected to increase atmospheric moisture and high-altitude winds, creating more destructive atmospheric rivers.
A recent study found that people with a strong connection to place are more likely to take protective actions and heed local officials' recommendations during hurricanes. The study also revealed that maps can be misleading, with participants judging their own risk lower even if their home is located just outside the forecasted flood zone.
New studies reveal potential for 30-day forecast accuracy boosts using machine learning and explore the impact of vegetation on ocean currents during the Little Ice Age. Researchers also find that La Niña events can slow global warming by amplifying each other's cooling effects.
The project aims to shape future international engineering guidance for coastal infrastructure as climate change increases storm surge risk. Researchers will gather environmental data on saltmarsh systems and work with international partners to develop practical hybrid green-grey infrastructure solutions.
Researchers developed a model to detect early signs of marsh decline using satellite observations, identifying vulnerable areas along Georgia's coast. The study found belowground biomass has declined across 72% of Georgia's coastal marsh since 2014.
A new study by MIT scientists finds that extreme storm tides will increase tenfold for Bangladesh, with what was once a 100-year event now striking every 10 years by the end of the century. The country's densely populated coastal regions are expected to experience more frequent and severe flooding events as a result.
When two tropical cyclones collide in the Indian Ocean, they can intensify considerably, leading to extreme interactions between the ocean and atmosphere. The study found that effects occurred that have only been observed with much stronger cyclones, including a cooling effect of three degrees Celsius and upwelling of deep water masses.
Researchers found that restoring coastal marshes can significantly help protect coastlines at a reasonable cost. A study by MIT graduate student Ernie I. H. Lee and professor Heidi Nepf shows that enhancing salt marshes in front of protective seawalls can reduce construction costs while still providing adequate protection from storms.
Researchers found that coastal dams can either increase or decrease flood risks, depending on the duration of a surge event and friction from water flow. The study, published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, analyzed data from Charleston Harbor and other estuaries to make this surprising discovery.
Researchers analyzed record storm surges in the UK and Ireland to improve flood prediction accuracy. They found that coastlines in the north experience the longest and largest surges, while those in southwest England have smaller geographical footprints.
Texas A&M University researchers have developed a 3D visualization technology to identify potential outcomes of hurricane flooding before it occurs. This allows for improved safety and reduced damage costs. The technology can also model specific buildings, accounting for basements, back entrances, and windows.
A new remote sensing method captures details of hurricane Ian's aftermath, identifying 2,427 structures impacted by the storm. The study found that most damaged structures were single-family and multi-unit residences, with a total assessed value of over $200 million.
New research by Bangor University reveals that summer storms help maintain healthy oxygen levels in deep waters around the UK. The study shows that oxygen mixing can slow the development of a summer oxygen deficit, improving ocean health.
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 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 study published in PLOS ONE predicts that climate change will inundate over 4,200 archaeological sites along the US state's coast, with nearly 5,000 at risk by 2100. The authors used a predictive model to account for storm surge events, highlighting the need for cultural heritage managers to take action.
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 at Kiel University modelled various storm surge and sea level rise scenarios to assess the effectiveness of dike lines and managed realignment. They found that current defence lines are insufficient to withstand sea level rise, but managed realignment could provide greater protection when combined with raising existing dikes.
Research reveals that Category 4 and 5 hurricanes are arriving three to four days earlier with each passing decade due to climate change. This shift in seasonal cycle can lead to compounding extreme events and challenges community preparedness.
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.
A new study published in Scientific Reports has investigated the impact of long-term changes in ocean wave and storm surge conditions on sandy coastlines over the past 30 years. The research found no clear linkages between these changes and shoreline recession, with sediment supply, human management, and other factors likely playing a ...
Scientists have discovered weak, fossilised sediments beneath the seafloor of Antarctica's eastern Ross Sea, which led to massive underwater landslides. These layers made the area susceptible to failure due to past climate change.
Repurposing regular shelters could cut travel times for vulnerable populations by up to 70%. Researchers used storm surge modeling to analyze how quickly residents could reach special needs shelters. The study showed that repurposing one shelter reduced average travel time from 28.5 minutes to 7.4 minutes.
Researchers analyzed two US Army Corps of Engineers flood megaprojects in Rhode Island that emerged simultaneously after hurricane activity around the 1950s. The study found that strong public support and political backing were crucial factors in advancing one project, while the other failed to gain momentum due to environmental concer...
A new study predicts devastating socioeconomic impacts of future extreme coastal flooding on developing nations caused by climate change. Without adaptation measures, the number of people affected could increase from 34 million in 2015 to 246 million by 2100, with expected annual damage costing over five percent of national GDP.
Researchers at Oregon State University found a relationship between surface gravity waves and infragravity waves that fuel sneaker waves. Longer waves with more energy can run further up the beach, but not all long waves turn into sneaker waves.
Researchers are conducting on-site surveys and generating high-resolution damage maps for 20-square-mile region affected by the Category 4 storm. The goal is to inform protection efforts and help communities recover from the disaster.
A new study found that 39 out of 43 California's coastal airports have assets exposed to projected flooding by 2100. Sixteen airports have assets within their boundaries, while 23 have assets outside their jurisdiction at risk from flooding. The study highlights the need for collaborative climate adaptation plans to address this issue.
Researchers study links between cyclones and forest fires, finding that cyclones can create conditions ripe for fires by damaging trees and altering microclimates. As climate change increases cyclone intensity, the risk of wildfires in previously fire-resistant ecosystems like rainforests grows.
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.
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.
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.
The study analyzed tide gauge observations along coastlines in Europe and found that changes in storm surges have altered the likelihood of extreme sea-level events. While some areas see an increase in extreme flooding, others see a decrease, with human-induced climate change partly to blame.
A study has shown that wind variations over the southern Red Sea are the main drivers of sea-level extremes, driving levels up and down depending on wind direction. This understanding is crucial for coastal planning and management to mitigate the impact of storm surges and coastal erosion.
Climate change projections indicate a dramatic increase in extreme rainfall-surge events along the US East and Gulf coasts, with compound flooding events expected to worsen flood risks. Sea level rise and storm intensification are identified as key drivers of this phenomenon.
A new MIT study provides detailed information on the wave-damping benefits of marsh plants, enabling coastal restoration planners to determine the area needed for mitigation. The analysis incorporates plant morphology and interactions with currents and waves, providing a more quantitative way to estimate the value provided by marshes.
A new study predicts extreme sea levels will become 100 times more frequent worldwide, with an annual occurrence by the end of the century. The research, led by Claudia Tebaldi, suggests rising temperatures will have a significant impact on coastal regions, particularly in the tropics and lower latitudes.
A study by University of Plymouth researchers found that seabed habitats and species recover more quickly following extreme storms than from the impacts of bottom-towed fishing. The research examined the impact of the 2013/14 winter storms on the Lyme Bay Marine Protected Area, off southern England's coast.
A new study assesses the impacts of sea level rise and wetland change on storm surge flooding in the Chesapeake Bay region. The results show that even relatively weak storms in 2100 could have a greater impact than high-intensity storms today, with significant property damage and effects on people.
A new study found that mangrove forests in Florida suffered unparalleled dieback after Hurricane Irma due to human-made obstacles and changes in natural topography. The research team identified potential explanations, including restricted water flow between areas, which can lead to extreme conditions and degradation of wetland vegetation.
A team of researchers at the University of Texas at Austin has applied a machine learning algorithm to analyze Synthetic Aperture Radar images and create detailed maps of land types. This new approach can help predict storm surge risk and inform mitigation strategies, such as building 'green walls' to protect inland areas.
Researchers at the University of North Carolina developed a data assimilation method to improve multi-day forecast accuracy of coastal water levels. The method yielded substantially smaller errors in water level estimates and is now used by NOAA's Extratropical Surge and Tide Operational Forecast System.
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.
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 at the University of Central Florida have developed models to predict periods of relatively higher flood risk due to storm surges. The models link large-scale climate variability events like El Niño to storm surge activity, allowing for more accurate predictions and improved coastal preparedness.
Hurricane Laura is strengthening in the Gulf of Mexico, with NASA capturing powerful images of the storm from space. The eye of the hurricane was located near latitude 26.4 degrees north and longitude 91.4 degrees west, with maximum sustained winds increasing to near 115 mph.
NASA satellites have been providing forecasters with data on major Hurricane Laura's temperature, rainfall capability, storm structure and extent. Cloud top temperatures as cold as minus 80 degrees Fahrenheit are generating heavy rainfall.
A new international study developed a novel statistical method to capture the interactions between tides and storm surges. The model found that coastal flooding risks are underestimated, with reductions of up to 17% in people affected and 13% lower costs for US coasts.
Researchers have created a preliminary design for giant kinetic umbrellas to provide shade during fair weather and form a flood barrier in advance of storms. The proposed structures, made of reinforced concrete, would be able to withstand acute storm surges with stability at 75% of their deployed height.
Research led by the University of Arizona found that the US East and Gulf Coasts have different responses to storm surges due to ocean and atmospheric circulation interactions. The Gulf Coast, particularly New Orleans, is highly sensitive to tropical cyclone characteristics, leading to elevated storm surge heights.
Researchers developed a model to estimate storm surge extremes by exploiting sea level dependencies, yielding good agreement with tide gauge data and reduced uncertainty. The new approach enables estimation of storm surge levels at arbitrary ungauged locations.
Researchers created an extreme sea level indicator using historical data from US coastlines to understand the causes of sea level changes. The study found that different factors play a role in extreme sea levels, varying by location and time.
Coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico face extinction due to rising temperatures, acidification, and increased storm intensity. The region's reefs are expected to disappear by the end of this century if no action is taken to mitigate climate change.
A new Stanford study found that expressing uncertainty about climate change predictions increases public trust in scientists, but acknowledging unknown factors can undermine credibility. When climate scientists include best-case and worst-case scenarios, Americans are more trusting and accepting of their statements.
Compound flooding events are projected to occur more than once every six years along the UK and Dutch coastlines. The probability of high sea levels and heavy precipitation occurring simultaneously will heavily increase in Northern Europe under a warmer future climate.
NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image of Tropical Storm Krosa, showing a large center of circulation surrounded by fragmented bands of thunderstorms. The storm is expected to intensify to 50 knots as it approaches landfall in southwestern Japan.
Tropical Storm Barry's irregular shape and strong thunderstorms were detected using NASA's Aqua satellite, with winds extending up to 175 miles east of the center. The storm is expected to make landfall in Louisiana on Sunday, bringing heavy rainfall and potential flash flooding.
A team of engineers is investigating the risk of coastal flooding in three Sri Lankan communities due to cyclones, incorporating the impact of rainfall and climate change. The project aims to develop compound flood hazard maps that will help local communities understand the threat and take action to minimize risks.
Heavy rainfall totals over 20 inches were estimated in less than a week along Hurricane Michael's track, with the heaviest accumulation occurring off the Yucatan Peninsula. IMERG data revealed frequent rainfall totals greater than 10 inches along the storm's path from October 7 to 12, 2018.