Latest news with #floodmanagement
BBC News
20-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Work to start on £1.1m natural flood defence scheme near Worksop
Natural defences will be built built as part of a million-pound flood management Wildlife Trust said its plans include planting trees and creating wetlands to slow the flow of water around Worksop and nearby Shirebrook in Derbyshire in a new style of managing water which also aim to encourage trust said the wider area around the River Ryton had seen excessive flooding in recent McDaid, of the trust, said: "It's a question of how we can adapt and work with nature and see if we can utilise natural features to play a key role." Mr McDaid said: "We've tried to tame nature - that's becoming increasingly difficult with climate change and extreme weather events."He added that costs of traditional flood defence schemes had risen in recent is hoped initial works on some sites will commence later this year. The project will see farmers and other landowners allowing the creation of ponds and wetlands which can trap and store water, the planting of trees and creation of landscapes which slow the movement of water, and "in-stream" features such as beaver-like dams from wood which allow water through but at a slower McDaid said: "When water levels are high, that water will make it back out into the natural systems at a slower rate, but all the time creating great new habitat for wildlife."The work will create habitats for species such as water voles as well as native fish and amphibians, said the trust. Jennifer Kril, living rivers officer at the trust, said: "By creating space for water and wildlife, we're not only helping protect communities but also building a wilder, more resilient landscape for the future."The £1.1m Saving Shireoaks & Worksop through Natural Flood Management (NFM) project has been funded by the Environment Agency and is being delivered by wildlife trusts in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham Trent forms part of a £25m nationwide government scheme to boost flood resilience along rivers and coasts through manager Ian Higginson hoped work on sites should begin in the coming months: "We are very pleased and encouraged by the response of everyone so far."With the support of landowners in the catchment we hope to be able to store and slowly release enough floodwater to fill over 30 Olympic sized swimming pools."
CBS News
17-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
$5.2 million in funding approved for flood management projects in Maryland
Maryland's Department of Public Works approved $241 million for projects in the state Wednesday, including $5.2 million for flood management efforts. The department also approved $7.5 million to support the construction of a new hotel and conference center in Frederick. Nearly $31 million in grants were allocated for projects in seven counties and Baltimore City, and $25 million was given to minority-owned and small businesses. The funding for flood management projects was granted after requests from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), the board said. The money will be used to help alert local governments to potential flooding and reduce runoff after heavy rain. The approval comes after a deadly flooding event in central Texas killed more than 130 people. Nearly 100 people are still missing two weeks later. Some Texas residents reported that they did not receive emergency alerts as the flooding got more severe. However, CBS News reported that 22 warnings were issued by the National Weather Service during the storms and flash flooding. In approving the request, Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman emphasized the need for investments in state infrastructure, especially in flood-prone areas. "As a former Texas resident for a few years, it is absolutely devastating to watch what happened there," she said. "We are not immune in Maryland to that type of flooding that we saw happen there." The funding also comes after severe flooding events in Maryland. On July 14, torrential rain prompted a historic Howard County city to shut down its Main Street. "Close to home, just in the last week, officials ordered the shutdown of Main Street [in Ellicott City] not once, but twice as a result of significant rain-producing events," Lierman said. The Ellicott City area experienced deadly flooding events in recent years, including in 2011, 2016 and 2018. In May, heavy rain caused flooding in Allegany and Garrett counties, affecting about 200 homes and prompting rescue efforts. The governor's office requested that the White House issue a Presidential Disaster Declaration after the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) determined that recovery could cost $15.8 million. The state has made progress in its flood prevention efforts. After the flooding in historic Ellicott City, its Safe and Sound Plan was credited with helping prevent significant flooding. The state Department of Natural Resources recently launched a new map that allows residents to track potential flooding in their communities.
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Yorkshire Water to hold flood advice events
Yorkshire Water is holding a series of events to give advice on reducing the risk of utility company said Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire faced the second highest flood risk in the UK, with approximately 100,000 homes at will be given on "nature-based solutions" for flood first Living with Water event is at the Driffield Show on 16 July and the team will then visit various locations across Hull and East Yorkshire until 31 August. Lauren Murtagh, community coordinator for Living with Water, said part of the project was to raise awareness of flood resilience schemes being built in the area."We're delighted that so many event organisers and community groups have invited us along to their local summer events where we can share information and updates about our flood mitigation work," she said."As we are also experiencing the driest spring for 132 years, there will be lots of opportunities to find out about water saving tips too to help everyone use water wisely this summer."On Friday, Yorkshire Water introduced a hosepipe ban affecting more than five million company said the region had experienced its driest and warmest spring on record with only 6in (15cm) of rainfall between February and June, less than half of what would be expected in an average to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Click here, to download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and here, to download the BBC News app from Google Play for Android devices.
Bloomberg
28-06-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
China Steps Up Flood Aid as Threat of Extreme Rains Loom
China rolled out new measures to better compensate residents affected by flood diversion efforts, as a warming climate heightens the threat of extreme rains and devastating deluges. A key tool in China's flood management strategy is the diversion of floodwaters away from industrial hubs and densely populated urban areas. But that approach disproportionately hits poorer rural populations and agricultural land, exacerbating already stark social inequality and at times sparking public anger.
Khaleej Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
UAE: After Fujairah floods, 22-year-old creates crisis system, wins Dh50,000 grant
From a competitive pool of 148 applications, ten outstanding youth-led projects have been selected to receive Dh50,000 grants, business licenses, and full support packages through the Changemakers Academy, a flagship programme by the Expo City Dubai Foundation. The winning teams showcased innovative solutions ranging from AI-powered environmental monitoring to assistive technologies for people of determination, all aligned with the UAE's Year of Community and developed in partnership with the Community Development Authority (CDA). The awardees will also benefit from expert mentorship, hands-on training, and access to collaborative workspaces within Expo City Dubai's vibrant innovation ecosystem. This holistic support aims to empower entrepreneurs to develop their ideas into scalable social enterprises that can create a lasting impact across the UAE. Among the winners is Emirati innovator Saara Hassan Al Kaabi, who presented her project, the Smart Rainwater Management Emergency and Response System (SRMERS). Addressing the urgent challenge of sudden floods in the UAE, her solution leverages smart sensors, automated alerts, and a mobile application to detect flood risks in real time, warn residents, and store excess rainwater for future use, thereby mitigating human and material losses caused by outdated drainage infrastructure. Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels. The 22-year-old said, "Our idea was born from experiencing the 2022 Fujairah floods firsthand. We couldn't reach our homes or hospitals, and we saw how the lack of a smart system can cause serious harm. With SERMERS, we aim to build safer, smarter cities that protect lives and resources." Another standout project is Vantage, developed by 19-year-old Indian Dev Tarunkumar Bhodia, a wearable assistive device designed to enhance spatial awareness for individuals with visual impairments. Combining LiDAR technology, computer vision, and haptic feedback in an affordable VR-style headset, Vantage provides real-time 360-degree obstacle detection, empowering users to navigate dynamic environments with greater confidence and independence. Bhodia reflected, "Watching a visually impaired person struggle unnoticed in a crowded street inspired us to create Vantage. Technology should not only be convenient but also restore dignity and independence. Winning this award validates our commitment to making a meaningful social impact." Joining these innovators is Abdullah AlSalmani, a 25-year-old Iraqi national born and raised in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, and a graduate of UAE University. Abdullah created the SatKit Program, an educational platform designed to teach students satellite development through hands-on learning. SatKit addresses challenges such as limited student access to advanced space technology, declining interest in STEM fields, and uncertainties in career paths. The program offers modular satellite kits, interactive workshops, and teacher training, empowering students to explore satellite engineering from basic concepts to full mission simulations. AlSalmani said, "I struggled to choose a major in high school because I lacked early exposure. SatKit is my way to open doors for students to experience space technology firsthand. Being recognized by Expo City Dubai Foundation is an honor that motivates us to keep pushing boundaries." Launched in February 2025, the Changemakers Academy is a flagship programme of the Expo City Dubai Foundation. It provides structured, hands-on training delivered in partnership with Lumi — an AI-powered learning platform — guiding participants through design-thinking exercises and entrepreneurial development. This initiative exemplifies the power of cross-sector collaboration, bringing together government, academia, the private sector, and civil society with a unified purpose: to address a range of societal needs and build a more sustainable and inclusive future. The Changemakers Academy is part of the Expo City Dubai Foundation, which aims to bridge the gap between people, ideas, and resources by actively supporting social enterprises and problem-solvers in finding, growing, and scaling innovative solutions to our most pressing challenges. Together, these innovators represent the dynamic spirit of the UAE's youth, combining personal experience, technological expertise, and social consciousness to develop solutions with real-world impact. Their projects embody the Academy's mission to nurture creative problem-solving and drive social, environmental, and economic growth across the Emirates.
