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UrduWith climate change and rising urbanization, the likelihood and severity of urban flooding are increasing. But not all city blocks are created equal. In Physics of Fluids, an AIP Publishing journal, researchers investigated how urban layout and building structures contribute to pedestrian safety during flooding.
Tag: Flooding
Expert says West Coast flooding, mudslides remain threat from multiple large winter storms
As California and the west coast stare down yet another major winter storm, the threat of devastating flooding and mudslides is even more urgent. Drew Ellis, a climate science and meteorology expert at Virginia Tech, explains what causes these conditions.
UAlbany Expert: Powerful Atmospheric River Brings Record Rainfall to California
ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 7, 2024) — After days of heavy rainfall in California, a powerful atmospheric river continues to make its way through the state and head eastward. Record rainfall totals as high as 10 inches or more have brought…
New Model Adds Human Reactions to Flood Risk Assessment
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a land change model that simulates interactions between urban growth, increased flooding and how humans adapt in response. The new model could offer a more realistic assessment of risk for urban planners, natural resource managers and other local government stakeholders.
Combining math and entomology to predict, mitigate soybean aphid outbreaks
Iowa State researchers are developing mathematical models to simulate soybean aphid population dynamics over a growing season with a wide array of stressors, including droughts and floods. The project received a USDA grant earlier this year and is in collaboration with entomologists at Ohio State University.
HOW FLOODS KILL, LONG AFTER THE WATER HAS GONE – GLOBAL DECADE-LONG STUDY
Scientists in Australia have found that people impacted by a flooding event are at significantly increased risk of dying – including heart and lung problems – in a crucial window between three and six weeks after the event, even after the flooding has dissipated.
Poor infrastructure and rising sea levels exacerbated flooding in Libya, says expert
Thousands of people are dead and at least 10,000 missing after devastating flooding in Libya. The Mediterranean storm brought heavy rains to the northeastern part of the country, already crumbling from more than a decade of conflict. “Although Storm Daniel caused the devastating flood, a combination of factors exacerbated the nation’s vulnerability to natural hazards, resulting in enormous casualties,” says Virginia Tech geophysicist Manoochehr Shirzaei.
Health Experts Available on Impacts of Extreme Heat, Smoke, Flooding
Columbia public health experts are available for media interviews on the health impacts of these climate change-related emergencies, and how to protect ourselves The Southwest and West are facing a second week of extreme temperatures that have already claimed more…
Adding Snow to Estimates of Spring Flooding
By adding rain, snow, and rain-on-snow precipitation data to a background model, a new scheme pinpoints local flood risks in order to improve the design of small-scale hydrological infrastructure.
Flooding tackled by helping citizens take action – study
Extreme weather caused by climate change – such as flooding – will be to easier to prepare for after scientists developed a new method that empowers citizens to identify solutions to the threats their communities face.
Broad Climate Change Concern in Florida Linked With Recent Extreme Weather
An increasing number of Floridians agree that human actions are causing climate change, including a record number of Florida Republicans. Virtually all respondents (90 percent) believe climate change is happening, with 65 percent attributing the causes to human actions, including 49 percent of GOP voters. Belief in and concern about human-caused climate change appears to be translating into support for policies to reduce emissions and reduce impacts. The explanation for this emerging consensus may be grounded in people’s lived experiences with weather events.
UAH researchers use Earth observations to identify damage, impacts from earthquakes in Turkey
The country of Turkey is still reeling from a 7.8 and a 7.5 magnitude earthquake and thousands of aftershocks that occurred in February, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and human life.
Pioneering study shows flood risks can still be considerably reduced if all global promises to cut carbon emissions are kept
Annual damage caused by flooding in the UK could increase by more than a fifth over the next century due to climate change unless all international pledges to reduce carbon emissions are met, according to new research.
Rapid plant evolution may make coastal regions more susceptible to flooding and sea level rise, study shows
Evolution has occurred more rapidly than previously thought in the Chesapeake Bay wetlands, which may decrease the chance that coastal marshes can withstand future sea level rise, researchers at the University of Notre Dame and collaborators demonstrated in a recent publication in Science.
UAlbany Meteorologist Available to Discuss California Storms
Newswise — ALBANY, N.Y. – A series of strong storm systems known as “atmospheric rivers” have dumped massive amounts of rain and snow on California since late December, producing deadly flooding, mudslides, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes. California officials reported on…
Disaster researchers discuss response to atmospheric rivers slamming Southern California
Epic storms continue to batter Southern California with flooding, mudslides and hurricane-force winds. Tricia Wachtendorf, director of the University of Delaware’s Disaster Research Center and sociology professor, can comment on the challenges people face when confronting quick-onset inland flooding and preparing for storms of increasing severity…
WVU Extension experts provide guidance for forage and livestock management after flooding
Flooding can be devastating on many levels. Two West Virginia University Extension officials say precautions should be taken so that livestock do not get ill by feeding on materials that have been contaminated by soil, bacteria and flood debris contained in floodwaters.
Research shows future super cyclones would expose vastly greater numbers of people in most vulnerable parts of the world to extreme flooding
A new study has revealed super cyclones, the most intense form of tropical storm, are likely to have a much more devastating impact on people in South Asia in future years.
World taking measures on climate change – but are they the right ones?
A new study co-authored by the University of Delaware’s A.R. Siders revealed growing evidence that people and organizations are responding to climate change with a wide range of actions, but noted far fewer studies explore whether these actions actually reduce risks associated with climate change.
UNH Receives $1.8 Million Grant to Study Road Resilience to Sea Level Rise
After a summer of high heat, steady sea level rise and devastating hurricanes, coastal roads have continued to take a severe beating resulting in endless wear and tear. Because these roadways have become increasingly vulnerable, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has awarded a $1.8 million grant to researchers at the University of New Hampshire to study how and why coastal hazards like excessive flooding are causing roads to crack and crumble and find ways to protect them.
Rutgers Experts Share Tips on Staying Safe After a Hurricane
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School experts Diane Calello, executive and medical director at the New Jersey Poison Control Center, and Bruce Ruck, managing director at the same center, are available to discuss tips on how to stay safe after a…
Safety experts offer tips to prepare for potentially dangerous hurricane season
Summer is just around the corner, and so is hurricane season. Weather experts are warning Americans to prepare for an active and potentially dangerous Atlantic season – which gets its official start on June 1. With the potential for heavy rain and strong winds, the threat of power loss, and dealing with potentially dangerous cleanup in the aftermath of a storm, experts at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) say preparing in advance is the best way to weather anything hurricane season may bring.
Sea-Level Rise in 20th Century was Fastest in 2,000 years Along Much of East Coast
The rate of sea-level rise in the 20th century along much of the U.S. Atlantic coast was the fastest in 2,000 years, and southern New Jersey had the fastest rates, according to a Rutgers-led study.
Why our rivers are running drier
An international team of researchers including the University of Adelaide has demonstrated that climate change is responsible for the changes in the flow and water volume of rivers globally, with major implications for Australia.
“Ghost Forests” Expanding Along Northeast U.S. Coast
Why are “ghost forests” filled with dead trees expanding along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coast? Higher groundwater levels linked to sea-level rise and increased flooding from storm surges and very high tides are likely the most important factors, according to a Rutgers study on the impacts of climate change that suggests how to enhance land-use planning.
Global warming found to be culprit for flood risk in Peruvian Andes, other glacial lakes
Human-caused warming is responsible for increasing the risk of a glacial outburst flood from Peru’s Lake Palcacocha, threatening the city below. This study is the first to directly link climate change with the risk of flooding from glacial lakes, which are growing in number and size worldwide.
Climate Change Threatens U.S. Coastal Cities’ Most Affordable Housing With Flooding
Research co-authored by University of California scientists has found that by 2050, as many as 24,500 affordable housing units in the United States are projected to be exposed to coastal flooding.
Atmospheric Rivers Help Create Massive Holes in Antarctic Sea Ice
Warm, moist rivers of air in Antarctica play a key role in creating massive holes in sea ice in the Weddell Sea and may influence ocean conditions around the vast continent as well as climate change, according to Rutgers co-authored research. Scientists studied the role of long, intense plumes of warm, moist air – known as atmospheric rivers – in creating enormous openings in sea ice. They focused on the Weddell Sea region of the Southern Ocean near Antarctica, where these sea ice holes (called polynyas) infrequently develop during the winter.
Rutgers Experts Available to Discuss N.J.’s Vulnerability Eight Years after Sandy
New Brunswick, N.J. (Oct. 27, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick experts are available to discuss the busy 2020 Atlantic hurricane season and New Jersey’s vulnerability to coastal storms and flooding eight years after Superstorm Sandy, along with how to boost resilience.…
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Vietnam’s Vulnerability to Floods
New Brunswick, N.J. (Oct. 23, 2020) – Rutgers Professor Pamela McElwee, an expert on Vietnam environmental issues, is available for interviews on the devastating flooding in that country this month and the flood threat posed by Typhoon Saudel. McElwee, who has done research…
Rutgers Expert Can Discuss 10 Ways to Adapt to Coastal Flooding
New Brunswick, N.J. (Oct. 14, 2020) – Rutgers coastal expert Vanessa Dornisch is available for interviews on 10 steps residents can take to prepare for sea-level rise and adapt to increased coastal flooding. Dornisch, coastal training program coordinator at the…
Emily Vosper, climate scientist at Bristol: Hurricane Sally could be the 2nd stalling hurricane to hit the US in recent years
“Hurricane Sally could become the second stalling hurricane to hit the United States in recent years. Two years ago, hurricane Harvey stalled over Southern Texas as a category 4 storm and was the costliest storms on record tied with hurricane…
Rutgers Experts Can Discuss Tropical Storm Isaias Threats, Record N.J. Warmth in July
New Brunswick, N.J. (Aug. 4, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick climatologist David A. Robinson and meteorologist Steve Decker are available for interviews on the outlook for Tropical Storm Isaias in New Jersey and the record warmth in July. “Isaias has the potential…
Sea Level Rise Report: Impacts to Property and Regional Planning Solutions
A new study reveals that urgent action is needed to protect billions of dollars in real estate investment across South Florida due to impacts of sea level rise over the next several decades. The report casts light on the issues and clarifies the alternatives available to South Florida, which embraces the four counties of Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach. Together, these counties generate more than $337 billion in personal income annually with a combined real property value assessed at more than $833 billion.
Novel Measurement and Forecasting Systems Make ‘Weathering the Storm’ More Precise
In the last several decades, more than half of the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the U.S. were due to inland flooding. Unfortunately, current forecasting capabilities are limited. Researchers are developing a warning system for more accurate and timely detection and forecasting of inland and coastal floods, under a variety of precipitation regimes. The technology will enable local and state governments to more effectively plan and respond to tropical storms.
Rutgers Expert Can Discuss New Home and Property Flood Risk Data
New Brunswick, N.J. (June 29, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick professor Robert E. Kopp is available for interviews on new flood risk data for more than 142 million homes and properties in the United States. The data were released by the First Street Foundation, a…
Computer Vision Technology Helps Analyze Michigan Dam Collapse
New Brunswick, N.J. (June 26, 2020) – Rutgers engineers have created a 3D model of last month’s devastating break in the Edenville Dam in Michigan, using the emerging technology of computer vision to analyze a smartphone video posted on social…
Tulane study calls for alternatives to Bonnet Carré Spillway to improve river management
The study underscores the urgency of identifying alternatives to improve river management and confront the new normal of more frequent river floods.
Lessening water quality problems caused by hurricane-related flooding
June 1 is the start of hurricane season in the Atlantic, with flooding often the most damaging effect of tropical storms. Now, in ACS’ Environmental Science & Technology, researchers study water quality impacts of two recent hurricanes in North Carolina and suggest interventions to protect susceptible areas.
Rutgers Experts Can Discuss 2020 Hurricane Season Outlook in N.J.
New Brunswick, N.J. (May 19, 2020) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick experts are available for interviews on the 2020 hurricane season outlook in New Jersey, the Garden State’s vulnerability to hurricanes and tropical storms, and the state’s tropical cyclone history. Hurricane…
Trump floodplain buyout plan bold, but ‘uncoordinated’
The Trump administration is pushing cities to use eminent domain in order to remove homeowners from flood zones — threatening to withhold federal funds those municipalities need to combat climate change if the cities refuse. Linda Shi, assistant professor in…
How does flooding affect farms?
Patience is a virtue for on-farm flood recovery
More Pavement, More Problems
Think your daily coffee, boutique gym membership and airport lounge access cost a lot? There may be an additional, hidden cost to those luxuries of urban living, says a new Johns Hopkins University study: more flooding.
For every percentage point increase in roads, parking lots and other impervious surfaces that prevent water from flowing into the ground, annual floods increase on average by 3.3%, the researchers found.
What are alluvial soils?
Unique soils provide many beneficial values to society.
UCI, other researchers find collaborative flood modeling process effective
Irvine, Calif., Jan. 21, 2020 – Community collaboration and high-resolution maps are key to effective flood risk management, according to civil engineers and social scientists at the University of California, Irvine and other institutions. In a study published recently in the American Geophysical Union journal Earth’s Future, the researchers report on a successful new process called “collaborative flood modeling” for addressing the increasing threat of rising waters brought on by climate change, aging infrastructure and rapid urban development.
Rutgers Expert Available to Discuss Greenland Ice Sheet Study
New Brunswick, N.J. (Dec. 23, 2019) – The southern Greenland Ice Sheet may experience precipitous melting this century due to a much smaller temperature increase than scientists thought would be required, according to a Rutgers co-authored study. The global sea level…
Rutgers Experts Available to Discuss Report on Rising Seas and Changing Coastal Storms in N.J.
New Brunswick, N.J. (Dec. 12, 2019) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick experts are available to comment on “New Jersey’s Rising Seas and Changing Coastal Storms: A Report of the 2019 Science and Technical Advisory Panel.” The N.J. Department of Environmental Protection commissioned…
Sea-Level Research Must Change So Communities Can Better Plan for the Future
New Brunswick, N.J. (Dec. 4, 2019) – With sea-level rise threatening hundreds of millions of people, researchers must do a better job engaging communities and other stakeholders so they can make the best-informed decisions on how to adapt in the…
FAU Receives $1.3 Million Grant from Florida Division of Emergency Management
The goals of this project are to help communities guide future mitigation projects as well as to assist local communities in moving up in the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program.
Researchers study impact of contaminants in floodwaters
Last spring’s historic flooding along the Missouri and Mississippi rivers may have distributed toxic contaminants along wide flood routes. Researchers know little about how these materials may affect public health and safety in rural and urban areas. But a group of geologists and geological engineers from Missouri University of Science and Technology is working to find out.