Latest news with #flooding
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Climate
- Free Malaysia Today
At least 115 dead after floods in central Nigeria
Flooding, usually caused by heavy rains and poor infrastructure, wreaks havoc every year in Nigeria. (EPA Images pic) MOKWA : Flash floods that ripped through parts of central Nigeria have killed at least 115 people and injured dozens of others, emergency services officials said yesterday, with the toll expected to rise further. Teams of rescuers continued to search for missing residents after torrential rains late on Wednesday through early Thursday washed away and submerged dozens of homes in and around the town of Mokwa, located on the banks of Niger River, in Niger state. 'We have so far recovered 115 bodies and more are expected to be recovered because the flood came from far distance and washed people into the River Niger,' Ibrahim Audu Husseini, a spokesman for the Niger state emergency management agency, told AFP. 'Downstream, bodies are still being recovered. So, the toll keeps rising.' He said many were still missing, citing a family of 12 where only four members have been accounted for. 'Some bodies were recovered from the debris of collapsed homes,' he said, adding that his teams would need excavators to retrieve corpses from under the rubble. At least 78 people have been hospitalised with injuries, the Red Cross chief for the state, Gideon Adamu, told AFP. According to the Daily Trust newspaper, thousands of people have been displaced and more than 50 children in an Islamic school were reported missing. The national emergency management agency (Nema) described it as an 'unprecedented flood'. The police and military have been roped in to help with the disaster response. An AFP journalist in Mokwa, more than 300km east of the capital Abuja, saw emergency services conducting search and rescue operations with residents going through the rubble of flattened buildings as flood waters flowed alongside. 'We lost everything' Local media reported that more than 5,000 people have been left homeless, while the Red Cross said two major bridges in the town were torn apart. Displaced children played in the flood waters, heightening the possibility of exposure to water-borne diseases as at least two bodies lay covered in banana leaves and printed ankara cloth. An emotional woman in a maroon headscarf sat with tears dripping down her face. Mohammed Tanko, 29, a civil servant, pointed to a house he grew up in, telling reporters: 'We lost at least 15 from this house. The property (is) gone. We lost everything.' Fisherman Danjuma Shaba, 35, said he slept rough in a car park. 'I don't have a house to sleep in. My house has already collapsed,' he said. Describing how she escaped the raging waters, Sabuwar Bala, 50, a yam vendor, said: 'I was only wearing my underwear, someone loaned me all I'm wearing now. I couldn't even save my flip-flops.' 'I can't locate where my home stood because of the destruction,' she said. Nigeria's rainy season, which usually lasts six months, is just getting started for the year. Flooding, usually caused by heavy rains and poor infrastructure, wreaks havoc every year, killing hundreds of people across the West African country. Scientists have also warned that climate change is already fuelling more extreme weather patterns. In Nigeria, the floods are exacerbated by inadequate drainage, the construction of homes on waterways and the dumping of waste in drains and water channels. 'This tragic incident serves as a timely reminder of the dangers associated with building on waterways and the critical importance of keeping drainage channels and river paths clear,' said Nema in a statement. The Nigerian meteorological agency had warned of possible flash floods in 15 of Nigeria's 36 states, including Niger state, between Wednesday and yesterday. In 2024, more than 1,200 people were killed and 1.2 million displaced in at least 31 out of Nigeria's 36 states, making it one of the country's worst flood seasons in decades, according to Nema.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- Business
- RNZ News
Thames-Coromandel at risk to climate-related hazards, says report
Flooding is one of the natural disasters faced by Thames-Coromandel. Photo: Monika Lange, via Facebook A new Waikato Regional Council report shows Thames-Coromandel District is highly exposed to eight out of 10 main climate-related hazards. All roads in the district are also at risk from hazards, with communities likely to be isolated. The regional council found Thames-Coromandel had large and ongoing exposure to flooding, coastal hazards, extreme weather, higher temperatures, drought, groundwater rise, landslides and marine heatwaves, but the results weren't a surprise to those working in the district, who said it urgently needed to start making plans and taking action. Thames-Coromandel District Council climate change programme manager Amon Martin said climate change would have a huge potential impact on the district. "It's a really big challenge for us and there will need to be change going into the future," he said. Thames-Coromandel has 400km of coastline, a mountain range down the middle and small communities scattered along the coastlines. Martin said the local council was very aware on the hazards facing the district for at least a decade. He said the response would need to be cross-agency and involve the whole community. "NZTA play a big part for our district in terms of providing roading infrastructure, but so does Waikato Regional Council. They provide flood protection from our streams, then there are businesses and communities and iwi across the district, all of those need to work together." Understanding who has the responsibility for leading different work wasn't always clear. "A lot of the legislation is enabling, but not requiring, so there aren't definitive roles currently," Martin said. "I see that as one of the immediate challenges." New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato system manager Andy Oakley said the amount of rain in Thames-Coromandel hadn't necessarily increased, but it came in more intense bursts. The district was top of his list, when looking at the effects of coastal flooding and unstable land, and the state highway network had been identified as needing increased resilience. "There are three new bridges being [replaced] and there is still ongoing reliance repairs after the 2023 storms, so in the 10-25 year term, absolutely resilience is what we are looking at," Oakley said. "Beyond that, there are so many factors out of our control and we will have to assess that as we move forward." He said NZTA would have invested more than $100 million in resilience work in Thames-Coromandel in response to the 2023 floods. Looking forward, the costs facing Thames-Coromandel because of climate change were significant, but Martin said the most effective way to reduce costs was to make the best use of time by responding with urgency to the hazards we know of now. "Understanding the hazard areas now means you don't need to build houses in the wrong places, you can transition infrastructure when it's up for renewal to minimise costs. You can do a lot of things to reduce the costs, if you understand the challenges." Waikato professor of environmental planning Iain White said information from the regional climate hazards report would help council's make better planning decisions. "This is where I generally come in - to try and make sure that the liability we pass on to future generations is less then it could have been by making smart decisions now." However, there are many places in New Zealand - like Thames-Coromandel - with high exposure to natural hazards, but a low taxpayer base. "How much do we pay now?" White said. "How much should that cost go to future generations, as things become more apparent? "It's quite complex decisions about who pays when and when do we need to invest." Despite the bleak outlook, Martin said there were opportunities for growth and development. "There isn't hazards in every space across the district," he said. "There are places that are appropriate to build and grow, so you shouldn't get stuck in the fact that this is a big challenge. "There are ways to work through it and do the best for our community." As a nation of people who love living right on the water, that may require an attitude shift. "It's almost a change management approach required for the whole country," Martin said. "Stop and think about where you want to live, what the risks are, what you can do personally and whether that is a place you are willing to accept." White said knowing the risks - for example of flooding or isolation, if you live by the coast - should change people's behaviour or markets, but the reality was different. "In lots of areas, it hasn't panned out that way," he said. "It's partly because, though you may get a higher risk of flooding, you get a higher amenity value of being on the coast, so it's swings and roundabouts. "For some people, that's something they are perfectly willing to take on." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- Climate
- RNZ News
Thames-Coromadel at risk to climate-related hazards, says report
Flooding is one of the natural disasters faced by Thames-Coromandel. Photo: Monika Lange, via Facebook A new Waikato Regional Council report shows Thames-Coromandel District is highly exposed to eight out of 10 main climate-related hazards. All roads in the district are also at risk from hazards, with communities likely to be isolated. The regional council found Thames-Coromandel had large and ongoing exposure to flooding, coastal hazards, extreme weather, higher temperatures, drought, groundwater rise, landslides and marine heatwaves, but the results weren't a surprise to those working in the district, who said it urgently needed to start making plans and taking action. Thames-Coromandel District Council climate change programme manager Amon Martin said climate change would have a huge potential impact on the district. "It's a really big challenge for us and there will need to be change going into the future," he said. Thames-Coromandel has 400km of coastline, a mountain range down the middle and small communities scattered along the coastlines. Martin said the local council was very aware on the hazards facing the district for at least a decade. He said the response would need to be cross-agency and involve the whole community. "NZTA play a big part for our district in terms of providing roading infrastructure, but so does Waikato Regional Council. They provide flood protection from our streams, then there are businesses and communities and iwi across the district, all of those need to work together." Understanding who has the responsibility for leading different work wasn't always clear. "A lot of the legislation is enabling, but not requiring, so there aren't definitive roles currently," Martin said. "I see that as one of the immediate challenges." New Zealand Transport Agency Waikato system manager Andy Oakley said the amount of rain in Thames-Coromandel hadn't necessarily increased, but it came in more intense bursts. The district was top of his list, when looking at the effects of coastal flooding and unstable land, and the state highway network had been identified as needing increased resilience. "There are three new bridges being [replaced] and there is still ongoing reliance repairs after the 2023 storms, so in the 10-25 year term, absolutely resilience is what we are looking at," Oakley said. "Beyond that, there are so many factors out of our control and we will have to assess that as we move forward." He said NZTA would have invested more than $100 million in resilience work in Thames-Coromandel in response to the 2023 floods. Looking forward, the costs facing Thames-Coromandel because of climate change were significant, but Martin said the most effective way to reduce costs was to make the best use of time by responding with urgency to the hazards we know of now. "Understanding the hazard areas now means you don't need to build houses in the wrong places, you can transition infrastructure when it's up for renewal to minimise costs. You can do a lot of things to reduce the costs, if you understand the challenges." Waikato professor of environmental planning Iain White said information from the regional climate hazards report would help council's make better planning decisions. "This is where I generally come in - to try and make sure that the liability we pass on to future generations is less then it could have been by making smart decisions now." However, there are many places in New Zealand - like Thames-Coromandel - with high exposure to natural hazards, but a low taxpayer base. "How much do we pay now?" White said. "How much should that cost go to future generations, as things become more apparent? "It's quite complex decisions about who pays when and when do we need to invest." Despite the bleak outlook, Martin said there were opportunities for growth and development. "There isn't hazards in every space across the district," he said. "There are places that are appropriate to build and grow, so you shouldn't get stuck in the fact that this is a big challenge. "There are ways to work through it and do the best for our community." As a nation of people who love living right on the water, that may require an attitude shift. "It's almost a change management approach required for the whole country," Martin said. "Stop and think about where you want to live, what the risks are, what you can do personally and whether that is a place you are willing to accept." White said knowing the risks - for example of flooding or isolation, if you live by the coast - should change people's behaviour or markets, but the reality was different. "In lots of areas, it hasn't panned out that way," he said. "It's partly because, though you may get a higher risk of flooding, you get a higher amenity value of being on the coast, so it's swings and roundabouts. "For some people, that's something they are perfectly willing to take on." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Inland flooding: The growing hurricane threat far from the coast
WFLA's 'Surviving the Storm' Hurricane special is airing on May 31 at 7 p.m. You can watch it at 7 p.m. on air on WFLA News Channel 8 or through the TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — When most people think of hurricanes, the mind jumps to wind speeds, storm surge, or the category of the storm. But for many Floridians in 2024, the greatest threat came after the storm made landfall—inland flooding. Year of the surge: How a storm 100 miles away changed Tampa Bay forever This past hurricane season brought high water to neighborhoods that had never seen flooding before. And experts say it wasn't just a fluke. It's a warning. In Lakeland's Lake Bonny neighborhood, Jan Morsey still remembers the terrifying hours after Hurricane Milton passed overhead. 'The water was so high it had already inundated our cars… we had electrical wires down that were blocking our driveway, so we had no way of escaping,' she said. 'It was a frantic, very frightening situation.' Jan and her family had to be rescued by a passing truck, grabbing only what they could carry. 'Our little dogs were in their carriers, and that was it for us. It was unbelievable how quickly that water came in.' And the water didn't leave quickly. Days turned into weeks. The water lingered. It wasn't just Florida. In North Carolina, Hurricane Helene brought similar devastation to the mountains. Entire towns in Asheville were washed away, roads collapsed, and beloved landmarks were lost. The storm claimed more than 200 lives across the Southeast, the vast majority due to flooding. 'It will test the fortitude of anyone,' said Florida resident Michael Chad Smith. 'But it could have been worse. Look at North Carolina.' Experts point to several factors: Urban development in once-rural areas can overwhelm outdated drainage systems. Stormwater infrastructure—including dams, canals, and retention ponds—can't always keep up with population growth. Climate data shows hurricanes are producing more rainfall than ever before. Slow-moving systems can dump torrential rain far from the storm's center. 'If there is a body of water and the drainage hasn't kept up, my story can be your story,' said Morsey. The most frightening aspect of inland flooding? How fast it can happen. 'Fifteen minutes. That's all it took,' said Smith. 'Hurricane rain is different. It's a lot of water, very quickly.' A street full of puddles can turn into a river in moments—especially when the ground is already saturated. The National Hurricane Center has responded by: Launching a public awareness campaign about inland flood dangers Expanding watches and warnings to cover inland areas Debuting a flood forecast tool to better anticipate rainfall totals Issuing new rainfall outlooks tied to tropical systems The message is clear: You don't have to live on the coast to be at risk. Michael Chad Smith puts it bluntly: 'What you think can't happen, will happen in a crisis-type situation. Prepare for the worst.' The residents of Lake Bonny never thought their neighborhood would flood. But in 2024, they joined a growing list of inland communities learning just how quickly things can change. And with storms becoming wetter and more widespread, that list is likely to grow. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
4 hours ago
- Business
- CBS News
Camden County Public Works crews, residents and businesses brace another round of rain in New Jersey
Beginning at 6 a.m. Friday, Camden County Public Works crews were making the rounds with the threat of heavy rain and potential flooding. "Checking the inlets, all the storm inlets, all the drainage outlets, making sure they're clear of any debris," said Bob Harris, director of Public Works. CBS News Philadelphia caught up with the team in Bellmawr near Kings Highway and West Browning Road. Most of the storm drains were clear, but some had to be vacuumed out in order for the water to flow freely. "The pipe could back up in several directions and it could affect the other side of the road, you'll get water ponding on the road," Harris said. Perhaps no one knows the impact of flooding like Vinny Morelli. "It's a low point here and the next thing you know, within a matter of minutes, we got three foot of water out here," Morelli said. Morelli recorded video about two weeks ago when he said part of the Black Horse Pike flooded, and the water started filling his family's store, Tony Morelli's Market in Glendora. Now, he's bracing for another round of rain. "Before we leave tonight, we'll make sure everything is off the floor, we go into our flood protocol," he said. Morelli said compressors on the store's refrigerators have broken, doors have been damaged, and he's hoping for a long-term solution before heading into summer. "I was in contact with the mayor's office three times already this week. They say they got engineers from the state and local levels, they got things going," Morelli said. Back in Bellmawr, as crews packed it in for the day, they said they will also be ready to respond later Friday night. "We'll have a standard crew on call just in case we get a tree, an issue with a tree or a tree limb, same thing if there's flooding," Harris said.
