Articles on Flood risk

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Rescuers search for survivors on Aug. 18, 2025, after a flash flood submerged homes, killing at least 18 people in a village near Swabi, Pakistan. Hussain Ali/Anadolu via Getty Images

Monsoon flooding has killed hundreds in Pakistan – climate change is pushing the rainy season from blessing to looming catastrophe

More powerful storms and melting glaciers are flooding communities across the region again, with devastating effects, particularly in the mountains.
Parts of the North Fork of the Kentucky River flooded in July 2022, and again in February 2025. Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

In many of Appalachia’s flood-ravaged areas, residents have little choice but rebuild in risky locations

The latest floods exposed the deep vulnerability of many mountain communities in eastern Kentucky, where land ownership patterns and other barriers to recovery can leave residents with few options.
Hurricane Helene flooded homes with water and mud in Marshall, N.C. Many people will be out of their homes for months or longer. AP Photo/Jeff Roberson

People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help

Disasters such as hurricanes Helene and Milton often hit low-income and other disadvantaged groups hardest. 2 policy experts suggest ways long-term aid could help.
Atmospheric rivers are long filaments of moisture that curve poleward. Several are visible in this satellite image. Bin Guan, NASA/JPL-Caltech and UCLA

Atmospheric rivers are shifting poleward, reshaping global weather patterns

These powerful ‘rivers in the sky’ provide a huge share of annual precipitation in many regions, including California. They can also melt sea ice, with global climate implications.
An industrial storage tank overturned by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, N.C., shows the power of fast-moving floodwater. Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Hurricane Milton: Flooded industrial sites and toxic chemical releases are a silent, growing threat

People living near these industries, as well as emergency responders, often have few details about the chemicals inside. New interactive maps pinpoint the risks.
Flooding in New Norfolk, Tasmania, early this month. A new forecast shows a higher than normal chance of river flooding for the next few months for parts of Australia – including Tasmania. AAP Image/Supplied by the Tasmania State Emergency Service

Get set for more extreme weather across Australia this spring and summer

Australia is facing climate hazards on all fronts this spring and summer. Climate scientist Andrew King walks us through the Bureau of Meteorology’s new national outlook.

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