Flooding
The US is finally curbing floodplain development, new research shows
“Routine municipal practices” are all it takes, but two problem states are defying the trend.
Could permeable pavement ease flooding woes in New York City?
It can’t help cities control the weather, but by slowing the flow of stormwater, permeable pavement can lessen flooding from big storms.
South Carolina Is considered a model for ‘managed retreat’ from coastal areas threatened by climate change
The state has identified hundreds of thousands of homes that will need to be abandoned. But at one flagship buyout, only one in 10 eligible homeowners signed up.
State dam safety programs could get new look after summer storms
The pressure is on aging dams as climate change fuels more intense weather, but it often takes high-profile incidents to focus lawmakers and other officials on the problem.
Facing natural disasters, more lawmakers look to make oil companies pay for the damage
The oil industry rejects the idea that as contributors to climate change, they are legally liable for disaster damages.
The rural Americans too poor for federal flood protections
A data-driven disaster tool shows “bias” against rural communities.
People are still being swallowed by storm drains. One U.S. agency is pushing for safety measures.
A new federal rule requires that local officials in flood-prone areas consider safety features for drain openings. In 2021, ProPublica reported that uncovered storm drains were responsible for at least three dozen deaths over six years.
FEMA will now consider climate change when it rebuilds after floods
The federal agency is overhauling its disaster rules in a bid to end a cycle of rebuilding in unsafe areas.
New flood model factors in human reactions
A new open-source flood risk model assesses communities' adaptive responses to flood events, which can help local governments prepare for flood intervention measures like altering development plans or elevating buildings.
FEMA is being sued for making flood insurance too expensive—and too cheap
The price isn't right, according to two lawsuits against the federal agency. The suits, one of which was brought by Louisiana and Republican state AGs, claim that high insurance rates could put residents at risk of economic ruin, but low rates do little to stop developments on at-risk land.
Featured eBooks
How well-managed dams and smart forecasting can limit flooding as extreme storms become more common in a warming world
COMMENTARY | As flood system operators juggle how to safely manage water levels during a flood, more accurate forecasting could make the process more efficient and effective.
Flood management gets a boost from drones
As major flooding events are expected to become more common, drones could help communities keep resilience up and damage down.
Outdated flood data could drown out actual infrastructure needs
Historical data fails to capture current flooding conditions, which could steer communities in the wrong direction when trying to plan and recover from weather events.
How to Convince Homeowners to Relocate Because of Climate Change
One expert says the path to success may lie not in the data itself, but in how governments communicate the data.
In Fixing Flood Control Systems, Plans Often Reflect Historical Patterns, Not Future Risks
COMMENTARY | As communities replace aging infrastructure to prepare for future climate-driven storms, aging data stands in the way. Experts warn historical weather data may not be sufficient for new infrastructure decisions.
Epic Snow From All Those Atmospheric Rivers in the West Is Starting to Melt
COMMENTARY | And the flood danger is rising.
In the Face of Extreme Floods, Rural Communities Lack Forecasting and Broadband
Plans are in place to address the urban observation bias in national weather prediction, but the other piece—reliable broadband—could still be years away for places like Eastern Kentucky.
'We've Never Seen a Flood Event Like This': Ian's Devastating Hit to Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis described "historic" damage to parts of the state from the hurricane, which made landfall with winds around 150 mph and caused massive flooding.
3 Reasons Hurricane Ian Poses a Major Flooding Hazard for Florida
COMMENTARY | A meteorologist explains why the looming storm could be especially dangerous for the state's Gulf Coast.
A New Tech Tool to Help Communities Confront Climate Risks
The just-launched federal website provides a range of information around extreme weather and natural disasters.
