News

  • Researchers create world's largest artificial wave

    Researchers create world's largest artificial wave

    Researchers based at Deltares, an independent research institute, have now observed the world’s largest artificially-generated wave at their newly created facility. The Delta Flume, measuring at about 300m in length, 5m in width, and mostly 9.5m deep, was recently constructed to facilitate large-scale testing of coastal defences including dykes, breakwaters and other structures. Researchers will use this new facility to support both national and…

  • 'Record breaking' tropical cyclone season continues

    'Record breaking' tropical cyclone season continues

    With a little while to go before our own storm season really gets going, it has so far been a very active and even record-breaking year in the Pacific ocean. With several recent devastating storms including Typhoon Soudelor and Typhoon Goni in the news recently, the UK’s Met Office provides us with a summary of what the current tropical cyclone…

  • Public given chance to name UK storms

    Public given chance to name UK storms

    The Met Office and Irish national forecaster Met Eirrann are to run a pilot project that will name severe weather systems affecting the UK. For the first time in UK meteorological history, forecasters will name the most severe storms in an attempt to raise public awareness of severe weather. Members of the public will be able to suggest names via social media. Previously, storms have…

  • 'Supertides' raise flood alerts in London and around UK

    'Supertides' raise flood alerts in London and around UK

    Widespread threat of coastal flooding has continued this week as a rare astronomical alignment has produced larger than normal tides around the country’s coasts. Environment Agency flood alerts currently remain in place for areas along the River Thames, and several other areas around the UK. These so-called ‘supertides’ occur when the alignment of sun, moon and Earth create a larger gravitational pull…

  • Widespread flood alerts & warnings ahead of high spring tides

    Widespread flood alerts & warnings ahead of high spring tides

    The Environment Agency has issued a series of flood alerts and warnings ahead of expected high spring tides today. Localised flooding is expected in several counties including the northern coasts of Devon and Cornwall in the South West, and parts of Suffolk, Essex and Kent in the South East. The warnings have been issued for conditions during late Monday night to early this morning, and…

  • Tropical Storm Erika targets Caribbean; Florida & Bahamas also on alert

    Tropical Storm Erika targets Caribbean; Florida & Bahamas also on alert

    A rapidly-moving Tropical Storm Erika (currently located east of the Caribbean) is forecast to take a path across several Caribbean islands over the coming days. The Bahamas and Florida have also been put on alert. Warnings have been issued for Puerto Rico, the Leeward Islands, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands, with a tropical storm watch in effect for several other nations in the…

  • Hurricane Katrina: 10 years later

    Hurricane Katrina: 10 years later

    10 years ago, Hurricane Katrina made landfall and proceeded to cause a level devastation that amounted to one of the worst disasters in US history. Much damage was caused by heavy rain and relentless winds, but for some areas around the Gulf Coast (mainly Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi) it was the huge storm surge and failure of defences which led to the worst impacts.

  • Do you have any photos of flooding?

    Do you have any photos of flooding?

    Do you have any photographs of coastal flooding from recent or past events which you are willing to share? We want to investigate these in order to improve understanding of exactly which areas were flooded and to what water depth. We are particularly interested in photos showing coastal flooding in the UK, but welcome photos from any part of the world and other types of flood.