Latest news with #floodprevention
CTV News
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Why Canada may not be ready for ‘new reality' of flash flooding and severe storms
Firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, load a body into a raft as they prepare for a water recovery along the Guadalupe River days after a flash flood swept through the area, in Ingram, Texas, Monday, July 7, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Eli Hartman VANCOUVER — Ryan Ness of the Canadian Climate Institute says he's been following the 'terrible tragedy' of deadly flash flooding unfolding in Texas, where more than 100 people have died. But he's also worried Canada isn't doing enough to prevent such disasters here, saying the country needs to invest in flood mapping, infrastructure and early warning systems. 'Luckily, there are many ways that we can protect ourselves, but we have to make the effort,' said Ness, who is the research director for adaptation at the policy research organization. 'You know, first of all, we have to understand where the risk is.' He said many parts of Canada don't have flood maps, 'so it's hard to know where to protect or where to send warnings.' Flood warning systems are also needed to help people in the path of flash floods 'prepare or get away, if they can,' while long-term infrastructure upgrades are needed to protect risk zones. 'In some cases, that means putting things in the houses like backflow valves that keep sewers from backing up,' he said. 'Or it can mean building flood walls along rivers to keep flooding from happening. Or it can mean making sure that city planning doesn't allow more new housing in flood risk zones.' The raging flash floods in Texas — among the worst in the United States in decades — slammed into camps and homes along the Guadalupe River before daybreak Friday. Some survivors were found clinging to trees. The disaster has put a focus on both the risk of flash flooding as well as how to predict or prevent it. Ness warned that climate change is making flash flooding worse and many Canadian cities, provinces and territories don't have laws in place to prevent development in dangerous areas. He called increased risk of flash flooding and more severe storms 'the new reality.' Flash floods have stuck across Canada over the past year, including Coquitlam, B.C., where an atmospheric river rain event triggered a mudslide that killed a teacher in October, and Toronto, where torrential rain overwhelmed drainage last July and caused about $990 million in insured losses. Ness said that in hilly areas of B.C.'s Interior with fast water runoff, flash floods can sweep away people's homes with 'very little warning.' He said flash flooding can be made worse in areas burned by wildfire, where soil that is no longer held together by plant life 'is much more likely to maybe turn into a mudslide or a landslide.' He said other risk areas are in Alberta in the front ranges of the Rockies featuring lots of rock and little absorbent soil. 'When it does rain, it can flow downhill very quickly. The town of Canmore (in Alberta), for example, has identified this as a major risk and has a strategy to try to deal with it,' said Ness. Massive floods hit the town in 2013. In Montreal and Toronto, flash floods are usually due to paved areas with no soil to soak up heavy rain, Ness said. 'And the water rises very quickly in rivers and streams that run through those areas, and it also rises very quickly in sewers, and that's what backs up into people's basements most often, and causes basement flooding,' said Ness. He said Toronto has a multibillion-dollar strategy to improve storm sewers. But it takes a long time to find that much funding, and the type of disruptive construction required isn't an easy fix. 'That's another reason to start making these investments as soon as possible, because it is going to take some time. But climate change isn't going to wait,' said Ness. He said Canada needs to adapt for flash flooding much more quickly. 'There are many smart engineers and government officials who know what to do, but we need to support and invest in the projects to adapt to this new reality. Otherwise, we are not going to be ready.' With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025. Nono Shen, The Canadian Press
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Disruption as railway between Swindon and Bristol Parkway closed
Rail passengers are set to face delays as flood prevention work begins. The line was closed on Monday, July 7 between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, with trains being diverted via Chippenham and Bath. The BBC has reported that Network Rail is working alongside the Environment Agency, South Gloucestershire Council, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and Wessex Water to find long-term solutions to flooding. The project will see 200m (656ft) of track raised by 20cm (7.8in) at the western end of the tunnel with overhead cables adjusted accordingly. Drainage channels will also be dredged throughout the tunnel to allow more water to be collected. Recommended reading Why lots of police and firefighters were spotted at Designer Outlet Incident near primary school sees casualty rushed to hospital 'Weird' Emmerdale villain set for shock return for revenge on popular character Two water removal pumps are being replaced at the western end of the tunnel, and surveys and design work carried out for future replacement of two pumps at the eastern end of the tunnel. Network Rail project manager George Barratt said the work will "help improve reliability and make the railway more resilient". He continued: "This is definitely a project to make the line more future-proof. We're not necessarily trying to stop flooding, we're trying to keep passengers and freight moving more often." Work is set to last until July 13.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- BBC News
Rail users warned of delays as Chipping Sodbury flood work begins
Rail passengers are being urged to plan ahead as the latest stage of flood prevention work begins between Swindon and Bristol Rail said work will take place "around the clock" in and around the Chipping Sodbury tunnel from the 7 - 13 Rail project manager George Barratt said the work will "help improve reliability and make the railway more resilient".During the work, the railway will be closed between Swindon and Bristol Parkway, with trains diverting via Chippenham and Bath, so taking longer than usual. The Chipping Sodbury tunnel, to the north of Bristol, was built in 1901 and is prone to flooding during wet weather.A lagoon was installed in 2018 as part of a flood alleviation scheme designed to improve the resilience of the railway Rail is working alongside the Environment Agency, South Gloucestershire Council, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group and Wessex Water to find long-term solutions to project will see 200m (656ft) of track raised by 20cm (7.8in) at the western end of the tunnel with overhead cables adjusted channels will also be dredged throughout the tunnel to allow more water to be water removal pumps are being replaced at the western end of the tunnel, and surveys and design work carried out for future replacement of two pumps at the eastern end of the station manager for Bristol Parkway Marcus Deegan said the work is the latest in a wider scheme to "ease the effect of flooding on the railway and in the surrounding area".During the work, there will be fewer services between south Wales and London, with that route also affected by longer journey times on Sunday 20 July due to follow up the 7 - 13 July, additional peak-time trains will run between London Paddington and the works, passengers should check journeys in advance, Mr Barratt said. An ongoing battle The current work should enable trains to continue operating for longer during periods of heavy rain and will shorten the length of any closures that do need to take across the GWR network have been significantly disrupted by flooding in recent years and is an issue that the company believes will continue reoccurring."This is definitely a project to make the line more future-proof," said Mr Barratt."We're not necessarily trying to stop flooding, we're trying to keep passengers and freight moving more safe to say that this is an effect of climate change - we are experiencing wetter winters and drier and wetter an ongoing battle that we have to face and we're working not just on this section of railway but thinking how we can keep passengers moving between major stations," he Barratt also says that GWR are also working with the Environment Agency, local authorities and wildlife groups to limit the impact of flooding in the wider area.
RNZ News
07-07-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Council to convert half of Takapuna Golf Course to wetland
Auckland Council is going ahead with plans for a flood prevention catchment that will swallow-up at least half of a popular North Shore golf course; despite some strong objections. A chunk of the council owned Takapuna Golf Course will become a permanent wetland that has the capacity to soak up more than half a million litres of water in a flood event. The Insurance Council estimates there were a thousand claims from property owners in the area after the 2023 events. But New Zealand golf the course operators and top golfer Ryan Fox have been fighting to save the course. Auckland Council's head of flood resilience Tom Mansell spoke to Lisa Owen. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
CNA
23-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - Rain, risk, resilience for Singapore's climate
Latest Episodes CNA938 Rewind - Rain, risk, resilience for Singapore's climate In line with Singapore International Water Week, Andrea Heng and Susan Ng take a look at Singapore's flood prevention measures and find out what more can be done in this ever-changing climate. For that, they speak with Professor Vladan Babovic, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, National University of Singapore. 15 mins CNA938 Rewind - US enters the Israel-Iran war Iran has struck Israel in retaliation for the US bombing of three Iranian nuclear sites in what's seen as America's biggest foreign policy gamble. President Donald Trump says Tehran must now end its fight with Israel or face a force far greater than what was witnessed. Andrea Heng and Susan Ng assess the latest developments with Alex Vatanka, Senior Fellow, Middle East Institute. 16 mins CNA938 Rewind - Stock take today: US strikes on Iran, crude oil forecast On the daily markets analysis on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Susan Ng speak with Heng Koon How, Head of Markets Strategy, Global Economics and Markets Research, UOB. 12 mins
