Climate change, shifting populations, and infrastructure development in risky areas compound future flood loss risk.
floods
African World Heritage Sites Jeopardized by Rising Seas
Worsening flooding and erosion threaten places of “outstanding universal value” along the continent’s coastlines.
Forest Fires Could Boost Western U.S. Water Supplies
Streamflow in the West has been below average since the early 2000s, but a new analysis shows that streams aren’t as dry as expected.
Deforestation Is Flooding West African Coasts
The lack of trees is contributing to increased rainfall along the coast of southwest Africa, where communities are already vulnerable to flash flooding.
Remote Sensing Could Predict Well Water Quality After Floods
After a flood, most people rely on officials to test public water sources. Private well owners are on their own, with little data to guide testing and treatment. New research seeks to change that.
The “Green Sahara” Left Behind Fossil Rivers
Reconstruction reveals how people living along the banks of the Nile may have relocated as climate changed and flooding increased during the African Humid Period.
Forecasting Compound Floods in Complex Coastal Regions
Coastal communities face more frequent floods in which rain, rivers, and ocean storm surge combine forces. A reliable system that accurately predicts inundation from these events is urgently needed.
Tree Rings Reveal a 700-Year Record of Flooding in Bangladesh
Trees tell of a wetter past along the Brahmaputra River and, combined with climate modeling, suggest heightened future flood risks in one of the world’s most densely populated areas.
For Venice’s Floodgates to Work, Better Forecasts Are Needed
Climate change increases massive storm surges, which may be more than Venice’s flood-control system can handle.
Tools for Improved Drought and Flood Response
A new book presents recent advances in the modeling and remote sensing of droughts and floods of use to emergency response organizations and policy makers on a global scale.
