ScienceDaily: Flood News

Thinking 'big' may not be best approach to saving large-river fish

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

Large-river specialist fishes -- from giant species like paddlefish and blue catfish, to tiny crystal darters and silver chub -- are in danger, but researchers say there is greater hope to save them if major tributaries become a focus of conservation efforts.

New grass hybrid could help reduce the likelihood of flooding

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:33:33 EDT

Scientists have used hybridized forage grass to combine fast root growth and efficient soil water retention. Field experiments show Festulolium cultivar reduces water runoff by up to 51 percent against nationally-recommended cultivar. Potential for the hybrid to capture more water and reduce runoff and likelihood of flood generation.

Asian monsoon is getting predictable: Strong correlation between summer monsoon and preceding climate pattern

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 13:58:58 EDT

For much of Asia, the pace of life is tuned to rhythms of monsoons. Its variations can mean the difference between drought and flood. Now a new study reports on a crucial connection that could drastically improve the ability of forecasters to reliably predict the monsoon a few months in advance.

Restoration and recommendations for flood-damaged bottomlands

Wed, 20 Mar 2013 14:27:27 EDT

Although the 2012 drought in the Midwest may have dimmed the memories for some of the 2011 Ohio and Mississippi River flood, engineers, landowners, conservationists, crop scientists and soil scientists haven't forgotten. They are working hard to repair levees and restore the flood damaged Birds Point-New Madrid floodway in preparation for the next big flood which will eventually happen.

Porpoises have to be careful in the Eastern Scheldt in the Netherlands

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:23:23 EST

The unexpected conclusion of the doctoral research project on the feeding ecology of porpoises is that the Eastern Scheldt in the Netherlands may be an ecological trap. She also discovered that more than just examining stomach contents is required to find out what porpoises eat. The analyses of stable isotopes and fatty acids provide different and more complete data.

Climate change is not an all-or-nothing proposition

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 08:45:45 EST

A statistician says that the natural human difficulty with grasping probabilities is preventing Americans from dealing with climate change.

Geologists quantify, characterize sediment carried by Mississippi flood to Louisiana's wetlands

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 13:25:25 EST

The spring 2011 flood on the Mississippi was among the largest floods ever, the river swelling over its banks and wreaking destruction in the surrounding areas. But a new study also shows that the floods reaped environmental benefits -- transporting and laying down new sediment in portions of the Delta -- that may help maintain the area's wetlands.

Flood research shows human habits die hard: Few make plans to cut vulnerability

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 11:47:47 EST

New research has come up with ways to quickly assess flood damage to houses while also showing most people didn't intend to make changes to reduce their vulnerability after the devastating 2010-11 floods in Australia.

Lessons of the 1953 East Coast of England flood disaster

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 11:13:13 EST

Sixty years ago, on 31 January and 1 February 1953, over 300 people died in flooding on the East Coast of England. Recent research has found that the Cabinet partly funded the response to avoid blame and further requests for funding.

Climate change impacts to U.S. coasts threaten public health, safety and economy, report finds

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 14:30:30 EST

According to a new technical report, the effects of climate change will continue to threaten the health and vitality of US coastal communities' social, economic and natural systems.

Groundwater depletion linked to climate change

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 10:47:47 EST

Climate change may be exacerbating many countries' experience of water stress, according to new research. Experts explain how several human-driven factors, if not rectified, will combine with climate change to significantly reduce useable groundwater availability for agriculture globally.

Information required for short-term water management decisions outlined

Wed, 09 Jan 2013 18:59:59 EST

Adapting to future climate change impacts requires capabilities in hydroclimate monitoring, short-term prediction and application of such information to support contemporary water management decisions. A new report provides details.

Will the world end on December 21, 2012? What we know and don't know about forecasting natural disasters

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:03:03 EST

Based on interpretations of the ancient Maya calendar, some people are predicting the world will end on December 21, 2012, Others believe that instead of doomsday and destruction, the day will mark a new era for humanity and will be a time for celebration. Such beliefs aside, what we know with certainty is that Earth has a tremendous capacity to generate natural disasters on any day of any year. For this reason, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists continue to look for ways to better forecast a wide range of natural hazards and protect our communities.

Removing sea defenses may reduce impact of coastal flooding

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:20:20 EST

Ensuring continued flood protection for low lying coastal areas may mean sacrificing cliff top communities to the sea. New research shows that the benefits of protecting the English coastline from erosion must be balanced against the impacts of coastal flooding.

Go with the flow in flood prediction

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 08:18:18 EST

Floods have once again wreaked havoc across the country and climate scientists and meteorologists suggest that the problem is only going to get worse with wetter winters and rivers bursting their banks becoming the norm. Scientists have now developed a computer model that can work out how the flood flow will develop and where flooding will be worst based on an understanding of fluid dynamics and the underlying topology of a region.

Paralysis by analysis should not delay decisions on climate change, experts urge

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 09:41:41 EST

Uncertainty about how much the climate is changing is not a reason to delay preparing for the harmful impacts of climate change says an expert.

Blame, responsibility and demand for change following floods

Mon, 26 Nov 2012 13:13:13 EST

New research shows that concerns about governmental failure to act effectively and fairly in the aftermath of extreme weather events can affect the degree to which residents are willing to protect themselves.

Storm surge barriers for Manhattan could worsen effects on nearby areas: Other options proposed

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 16:35:35 EST

The flooding in New York and New Jersey caused by Superstorm Sandy prompted calls from Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other officials to consider building storm surge barriers to protect Lower Manhattan from future catastrophes. But, such a strategy could make things even worse for outlying areas that were hit hard by the hurricane, such as Staten Island, the New Jersey Shore and Long Island's South Shore, a City College of New York landscape architecture professor warns.

Roots of deadly 2010 India flood identified; Findings could improve warnings

Tue, 13 Nov 2012 15:11:11 EST

New research indicates that flash flooding that swept through the mountain town of Leh, India, in 2010 was set off by a string of unusual weather events similar to those that caused devastating flash floods in Colorado and South Dakota in the 1970s.

'Groundwater inundation' doubles previous predictions of flooding with future sea level rise

Sun, 11 Nov 2012 15:38:38 EST

A new study by researchers in Hawaii shows that besides marine inundation (flooding), low-lying coastal areas may also be vulnerable to "groundwater inundation," a factor largely unrecognized in earlier predictions on the effects of sea level rise.

Geologist calls for advances in restoration sedimentology to protect world's river deltas

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 09:17:17 EST

Rapid advances in the new and developing field of restoration sedimentology will be needed to protect the world's river deltas from an array of threats, geologists say.

Children, teens at risk for lasting emotional impact from Hurricane Sandy

Tue, 06 Nov 2012 11:40:40 EST

The unseen emotional aftershocks of Hurricane Sandy may linger for children who were in the storm's path. A psychologist discusses why children may experience PTSD and how parents and caregivers can help.

Climate modeler identifies trigger for Earth's last big freeze

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 15:13:13 EST

For more than 30 years, climate scientists have debated whether flood waters from melting of the enormous Laurentide Ice Sheet, which ushered in the last major cold episode on Earth about 12,900 years ago, flowed northwest into the Arctic first, or east via the Gulf of St. Lawrence, to weaken ocean thermohaline circulation and have a frigid effect on global climate. Now, using new, high-resolution global ocean circulation models, researchers report the first conclusive evidence that this flood must have flowed north into the Arctic first down the Mackenzie River valley.

The evolution of creationism

Mon, 05 Nov 2012 09:26:26 EST

Throughout history, people have sought to understand how the world came to be and how it has changed over time. This curiosity has produced a rich legacy of science and philosophy and impacted and influenced religion and theology. Researchers have now examined both the history of geology and of biblical views regarding Earth's origins.

NASA adds up Hurricane Sandy's rainfall from space

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 17:21:21 EDT

NASA's Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission, or TRMM, satellite acts as a rain gauge in space as it orbits the Earth's tropics. As TRMM flew over Hurricane Sandy since its birth on Oct. 21 it was gathering data that has now been mapped to show how much rain the storm dropped along the US eastern seaboard.

Long-term sea level rise in Washington, D.C. could have significant impact

Thu, 01 Nov 2012 10:49:49 EDT

The U.S. capital is likely to face flooding and infrastructure damage in both the short- and long-term brought about by sea level rise (SLR), current trends and predicted increases suggest. The rise is linked to thermal expansion of the oceans and melting of global ice sheets as a result of global warming, researchers say in a new study focused on real-estate property and government infrastructure impacts in Washington, D.C.

Satellite captures the life and death of Hurricane Sandy on Halloween

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 21:42:42 EDT

Hurricane Sandy is giving up the ghost on Halloween over Pennsylvania. As the storm weakened to a remnant low pressure area the NASA GOES Project released an animation of NOAA's GOES-13 satellite imagery covering Hurricane Sandy's entire life.

NASA satellites capture Hurricane Sandy's massive size

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:32:32 EDT

NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible image Sandy's massive circulation. Sandy covers 1.8 million square miles, from the Mid-Atlantic to the Ohio Valley, into Canada and New England.

New England poultry producers may see effects from Sandy

Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:22:22 EDT

Instead of an early snowfall this time of year, farmers along the eastern seaboard are dealing with flood waters and wind damage from Superstorm Sandy, which is expected to affect everything from poultry production to grocery prices.

River floods predicted using new technology

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 08:13:13 EDT

Scientists are now using high-tech solutions to provide real-time forecast of the dangers of river floods caused by climate change and human activities to help avoid disasters.

NASA satellites see Sandy expand as storm intensifies

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 11:11:11 EDT

Hurricane Sandy is a Category 1 hurricane on Oct. 28, according to the National Hurricane Center. Sandy has drawn energy from a cold front to become a huge storm covering a large area of the eastern United States. NASA satellite imagery provided a look at Sandy's 2,000-mile extent.

USGS storm-surge sensors deployed ahead of Tropical Storm Sandy

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 16:39:39 EDT

Storm response crews from the U.S. Geological Survey are installing more than 150 storm-tide sensors at key locations along the Atlantic Coast -- from the Chesapeake Bay to Massachusetts -- in advance of the arrival of Tropical Storm Sandy.

NASA satellites see Sandy become a hurricane again and strong winds expand

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 12:05:05 EDT

Sandy weakened to a Tropical Storm and strengthened back into a hurricane early on Saturday (Oct. 27), and its pressure was dropping, meaning that the storm is intensifying as it becomes an extra-tropical storm. NASA's TRMM satellite identified heavy rain falling within the system and NOAA's GOES satellites provided a picture of Sandy's massive size.

Mississippi river diversion helped build Louisiana wetlands, geologists find

Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:39:39 EDT

Geologists used the occasion of the Mississippi River flood of the spring of 2011 to observe how floodwaters deposited sediment in the Mississippi Delta. Their findings offer insight into how new diversions in the Mississippi River's levees may help restore Louisiana's wetlands.

Could a hurricane ever strike Southern California?

Thu, 18 Oct 2012 10:57:57 EDT

There's an old adage (with several variations) that California has four seasons: earthquake, fire, flood and drought. While Californians happily cede the title of Hurricane Capital of America to U.S. East and Gulf coasters, every once in a while, Mother Nature sends a reminder to Southern Californians that they are not completely immune to the whims of tropical cyclones. Typically, this takes the form of rainfall from the remnants of a tropical cyclone in the eastern Pacific, as happened recently when the remnants of Hurricane John brought rain and thunderstorms to parts of Southern California. But could a hurricane ever make landfall in Southern California?

Deforestation in snowy regions causes more floods

Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:23:23 EDT

New research suggests that cutting down swaths of forest in snowy regions at least doubles -- and potentially quadruples -- the number of large floods that occur along the rivers and streams passing through those forests.

Civil engineers destroy test levee in the Netherlands

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 13:52:52 EDT

Civil engineers collapsed a full-scale dike this week in the Netherlands. The test dike was embedded with advanced sensors and traditional measurement instruments, and results of the study are expected to help validate powerful new technologies for monitoring the health of aging flood-control infrastructure.

When it rains, it pours: Intensification of extreme tropical rainfall with global warming modeled

Mon, 17 Sep 2012 12:42:42 EDT

Global warming is expected to intensify extreme precipitation, but the rate at which it does so in the tropics has remained unclear. Now a new study has given an estimate based on model simulations and observations.

Israeli cave explorers return from record-breaking expedition in Abkhazia of ‘Everest of the caves’

Mon, 03 Sep 2012 14:29:29 EDT

Cavers have just returned from exploring the deepest cave in the world. The cave, known as Krubera-Voronya, is considered the “Everest of the caves” and is in Abkhazia in the south of Russia near the Black Sea.

Increased sediment and nutrients delivered to bay as Susquehanna reservoirs near sediment capacity

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT

Reservoirs near the mouth of the Susquehanna River just above Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, U.S. are nearly at capacity in their ability to trap sediment. As a result, large storms are already delivering increasingly more suspended sediment and nutrients to the Bay, which may negatively impact restoration efforts.

Mississippi River flows backwards due to Isaac

Wed, 29 Aug 2012 19:24:24 EDT

Strong winds and storm surge from Hurricane Isaac's landfall forced the Mississippi River to flow backwards for nearly 24 hours on Tuesday, Aug. 28. The USGS streamgage at Belle Chasse, Louisiana, showed the Mississippi River flowing upstream at 182,000 cubic feet per second, surging to 10 feet above than its previous height. Average flow for the Mississippi River at Belle Chase is about 125,000 cfs towards the Gulf of Mexico.

Flood risk ranking reveals vulnerable cities

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 11:47:47 EDT

A new study of nine coastal cities around the world suggests that Shanghai is most vulnerable to serious flooding. European cities top the leader board for their resilience.

New book explores 'Noah's flood': Says Bible and science can get along

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 13:51:51 EDT

A geologist, is the author of a new book that explores the long history of religious thinking on matters of geological discovery, particularly flood stories such as the biblical account of Noah's ark.

Seeds of hope amidst Philippine floods: Rice that can survive underwater

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 10:03:03 EDT

Amidst horrendous flooding around Manila and major rice-growing across Luzon in the Philippines, some good news has emerged for rice farmers -- Submarino rice -- rice that can survive around two weeks of being under water.

Researchers combine remote sensing technologies for highly detailed look at coastal change

Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:16:16 EDT

Shifting sands and tides make it difficult to measure accurately the amount of beach that's available for recreation, development and conservation, but researchers have now combined several remote sensing technologies with historical data to create coastal maps with an unsurpassed level of accuracy.

Spillways can divert sand from river to rebuild wetlands

Wed, 25 Jul 2012 09:12:12 EDT

Researchers could have a new method to rebuild wetlands of the Louisiana delta, thanks to a chance finding during severe flooding of the Mississippi River. Civil engineers and geologists found that when the Bonnet Carre spillway was opened in 2011, a high percentage of the river's sand load diverted into the spillway – a goal of research work to build up wetlands.

Climate change may lead to fewer but more violent thunderstorms

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 13:30:30 EDT

Scientists are working hard to identify just how climate change will impact weather around the world. Now researcher says that, if temperatures continue to rise, Earth can expect a significant increase in the violence of thunderstorms.

NASA sees Tropical Storm Debby's clouds blanket Florida

Mon, 25 Jun 2012 20:30:30 EDT

Like a white blanket, Tropical Storm Debby's clouds covered the entire state of Florida in a NASA satellite image. Two satellites have captured imagery that shows Tropical Storm Debby has thrown a large white blanket of clouds over the state of Florida, and it doesn't seem like that blanket is going to lift quickly as Debby moves slowly north.

Gulf of Mexico 'dead zone' predictions feature uncertainty

Thu, 21 Jun 2012 11:34:34 EDT

Scientists are predicting that this year's Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone could range from a low of approximately 1,197 square miles to as much as 6,213 square miles. The wide range is the result of using two different forecast models. The forecast is based on Mississippi River nutrient inputs compiled annually by the US Geological Survey.

Restoring streamside forests helps songbirds survive the winter in California's Central Valley

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 23:02:02 EDT

Restoring floodplain forests in the Central Valley of California helps songbirds survive through the winter, a finding previously substantiated only for summer nesting birds.

Global climate change: Underestimated impact of sea-level rise on habitat loss?

Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:22:22 EDT

Global climate change is expected to cause sea-level rise of approximately 1-2 meters within this century. Researchers have found that in more populated regions secondary effects can lead to an equal or even higher loss of habitat than primary displacement effects.

Potential Iceland eruption could pump acid into European airspace

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:48:48 EDT

A modern recurrence of an extraordinary type of volcanic eruption in Iceland could inject large quantities of hazardous gases into North Atlantic and European flight corridors, potentially for months at a time, a new study suggests. Using computer simulations, researchers are investigating the likely atmospheric effects if a "flood lava" eruption took place in Iceland today.

Landslides linked to plate tectonics create the steepest mountain terrain

Wed, 30 May 2012 15:20:20 EDT

New research shows some of the steepest mountain slopes in the world got that way because of the interplay between terrain uplift associated with plate tectonics and powerful streams cutting into hillsides, leading to large landslides.

Push from Mississippi kept Deepwater Horizon oil slick off shore

Thu, 10 May 2012 22:50:50 EDT

Geoscientists offer an explanation for why the Deepwater Horizon oil spill didn't have the environmental impact that many had feared. Using publicly available datasets, their study reveals that the force of the Mississippi River emptying into the Gulf of Mexico created mounds of freshwater which pushed the oil slick off shore.

Katrina changed everything: New software predicts how water will spread

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:18:18 EDT

All over the country, millions of Americans still live behind dams or levees, and if these were to fail and unleash catastrophic flooding, as some did in New Orleans in 2005, property and life might once again pay the price. Now there is some remarkable software to help swiftly predict how the water will spread.

Duck-billed dinosaurs endured long, dark polar winters

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 13:19:19 EDT

Duck-billed dinosaurs that lived within Arctic latitudes approximately 70 million years ago likely endured long, dark polar winters instead of migrating to more southern latitudes.

Coral links ice sheet collapse to ancient 'mega flood'

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:55:55 EDT

Coral off Tahiti has linked the collapse of massive ice sheets 14,600 years ago to a dramatic and rapid rise in global sea-levels of around 14 meters.

Venice hasn't stopped sinking after all

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:22:22 EDT

The water flowing through Venice's famous canals laps at buildings a little higher every year -- and not only because of a rising sea level. Although previous studies had found that Venice has stabilized, new measurements indicate that the historic city continues to slowly sink, and even to tilt slightly to the east.

Millions of Americans at risk of flooding as sea levels rise

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:17:17 EDT

Nearly four million Americans, occupying a combined area larger than the state of Maryland, find themselves at risk of severe flooding as sea levels rise in the coming century, new research suggests. Researchers say that with so many communities concentrated on US coasts, the odds for major storm damage get bigger every year.

Investigation of Earth catastrophes from the International Space Station: Uragan Program

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:42:42 EDT

The Uragan program aboard the Russian segment of the International Space Station uses digital photography to study Earth's natural resources by monitoring catastrophes, both natural and human made. Uragan, which means "hurricane" in Russian, began during the first days of habitation on the station and continues to be an important Earth observation program, with the primary goal of defining requirements for a ground-space system for disaster warning and damage mitigation. The program is a logical continuation of the Earth Visual-Instrumental Observations Program (in other words, a crew Earth observation program) started in the Soviet Union/Russia in the early 1970s as part of the Salyut series of space stations and followed by the Mir orbiting complex.