Wests Tigers players raised $22,000 to support flood-devastated Picton overnight, after walking more than 80km from the club’s Concord Oval base to the Wollondilly shire town.

The police have renewed their appeal for anyone with any information about the murder of Kyari Flood – who was fatally shot in February 2023 — to please contact them. A police spokesperson said, “Around 1:00pm, Monday, February 13, 2023, police received a call from a member of the public who found the lifeless body […]

The Ministry of Public Works wishes to acknowledge to the public that “the intensity of the rain has temporarily exceeded Bermuda’s roadways and drainage systems’ capacity to dissipate water swiftly.” A Government spokesperson said, “During prolonged rainstorms, the volume of water can surpass the dissipation rates of grates, pits, detention areas, and wall openings designed […]

Falco Floodfill is an exciting puzzle game that will test your logic and spatial thinking. Your task is to paint the entire field of pixels in one color, changing the color of the original pixel. You have to solve the puzzle by choosing the right pixel to start the flooding. Click on the pixel, and the color will spread to neighboring pixels of the same color, gradually filling the entire field. In Falco Floodfill, you have to look for optimal paths and strategies to paint the entire field with a minimum number of clicks. Test your puzzle-solving skills and immerse yourself in the colorful world of pixels in Falco Floodfill!

The Spanish government will propose to the European Commission to amend the post-COVID reconstruction plan to redirect unused EU funds to the 'reconstruction and revitalisation' of the areas most affected by the recent torrential rains and floods. ‘We are going to present an addendum to the…

Why the government's flood insurance program is underwater Major flooding events are increasingly common across the U.S., but homeowners looking for flood insurance will find few choices. The main providers of flood insurance is the U.S. government through the National Flood Insurance Program, or…

Between two ponds in Southampton, New York, you will find one home that looks different from all the rest. The location of Tamsen House posed a lot of environmental challenges and this design by Fernando Fisbein Architect truly rose to the occasion.[...]

A new study shows that the record-breaking rainfall was made more likely and intense by climate change.

Climate change is wreaking havoc on farmers in Nigeria.

With swathes of South Sudan submerged, a whistleblower warns water sources are being polluted by oil.

Satellite images and on-the-ground photos show the scale of destruction caused by the floods.

Video shows a flooded terminal inside El Prat airport and partially submerged cars on a highway.

There were no immediate reports of casualties after heavy rain on Thursday.

People are angry at the authorities' handling of floods which killed more than 200 people.

After parking his taxi cab along the sidewalk, Leon Thompson exited his vehicle and held on tightly to the tiny hands of his four small passengers. They all walked towards a makeshift bridge, and Thompson lifted each child, making four trips,...

Home to more than 300 artists, the neighborhood was submerged under the record-high waters of the French Broad River

More than 14 months after flooding caused by heavy rainfall forced the Ottawa Birth and Wellness Centre to shut down its birthing unit, it's once again welcoming expecting families.

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The Transform outreach team in Durres witnesses God's light over the city.

Volunteers worked together to clear out floodwater in a suburb of Valencia, after deadly flash flooding devastated several areas locally.

Four of Fotress's properties were affected by floods. But the company said only minor flood damage and no significant structural damage has been identified so far.

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Resources announced following Recovery Resource Fair where agencies connected with more than 200 households WILMINGTON, Del. – Governor John Carney announced on Wednesday more than 200 households affected by last week’s storm found assistance at the Disaster Recovery Resource Fair hosted by the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), the City of Wilmington, and […]

Governor John Carney has proclaimed May 9 through 13 Delaware Flood Awareness Week to inform residents about flood risk, likelihood of flooding from extreme weather events brought on by climate change, the importance of having a flood insurance policy, and flood remediation for property damage or loss.

In conjunction with DNREC and DEMA within the Department of Safety and Homeland Security, Governor John Carney has proclaimed May 15 to 19 as Delaware Flood Awareness Week.

Delaware state officials are urging residents to be aware and prepare for potential flooding on Tuesday and Wednesday from a major storm that could bring at least 1 to 3 inches of rain with the heaviest rainfall expected to fall Tuesday night. The combination of heavy rain on already saturated ground with rivers running higher could lead to widespread and significant flooding.

New Castle County’s Office of Emergency Management and the Delaware Emergency Management Agency are urging residents to avoid driving after dark because of the expected heavy rain tonight and the risks from flooding. The National Weather Service has forecast periods of intense and heavy rain with high winds for this evening, which could cause small stream, river flooding, and coastal flooding – especially in the upper Delaware Bay. The National Weather Service is currently forecasting the Delaware Bay at Reedy Point to crest at 9.1 feet, near the record of 9.24 feet set on April 16, 2011. Currently, no evacuations are planned, but officials expect Delaware City to be temporarily inaccessible for a period.

“What’s our plan if we get hit by a big flood?” While this question may be plenty familiar to emergency management professionals, city administrators, legislators, and other leaders in coastal regions that are known for their exposure to potentially disastrous weather events, these days it’s being asked in some unexpected [...]

The post Four technology tips for government leaders preparing for flood disasters appeared first on Government Data Connection.

CATARROJA, Spain — Thousands of students in Spain's eastern Valencia region returned to classes on Monday, two weeks after floods killed over 200 people and devastated towns in the area. Controversy over the regional government's handling of the floods still rages, and a teachers' union accused it of exaggerating the number returning and leaving the clean-up to teachers and pupils. Twenty-three people remain missing in the Valencia region after heavy rains caused rivers to overflow, sending tides of muddy water through densely populated city suburbs, drowning people in cars and underground car parks, and collapsing homes. A total of 47 schools in 14 affected municipalities reopened to more than 22,000 children on Monday, the region's education department said. Last week, it said it expected around 70% of students in the worst-affected areas to return this week. "The schools that have opened their doors today have followed cleaning and disinfection protocols to ensure maximum safety for students, teachers and staff," it added. But the regional teachers' union STEPV said it believed that the numbers returning on Monday were lower, without providing an alternative figure. Spokesperson Marc Candela said many schools were not ready to resume lessons, adding: "Teachers and parents are cleaning the schools with their own materials such as brooms." Educators wanted professional cleaning crews to sanitize facilities, as was done during the COVID-19 pandemic, he said. Parents are also worried about their children's emotional states, said Ruben Pacheco, head of the regional federation of parents' associations, FAMPA: "Families are exhausted, suffering psychologically, and nothing should be decided without consulting them so as not to generate more discomfort than they've already suffered." Candela said the department had held an online course for teachers last week with recommendations for psychological care, but had not dispatched additional counselors. Carolina Marti, head teacher at a school in Castellar-Oliveral, said it had received 60 children from neighboring towns, while five teachers were on medical leave. She said children and teachers were struggling to reach the school as many roads remained impassable.

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Days before Kristine (international name: Trami) developed into a severe tropical storm, the Philippine Sea was warmer than usual. Under the warming climate, the typhoon-prone Bicol Region is more vulnerable with decimated forests. Both Camarines Sur and Albay saw a net loss of tree cover from 2000 to 2020, according to Global Forest Watch.

The Renaissance artist Michelangelo had carried out human dissections, which may have led him to include women with breast cancer in some of his pieces

Title: Health Tip: Cleaning Up From a Flood
Category: Health News
Created: 8/29/2013 7:35:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/29/2013 12:00:00 AM

Title: Harvey's Floodwaters Harbor Many Health Hazards
Category: Health News
Created: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM
Last Editorial Review: 8/30/2017 12:00:00 AM

As parts of Spain are on alert for new flood warnings, Dominic Hinde meets the volunteers still involved in the aftermath and recovery following the initial disaster

The Renaissance artist Michelangelo had carried out human dissections, which may have led him to include women with breast cancer in some of his pieces

Like many innovators, Hagit Messer-Yaron had a life-changing idea while doing something mundane: Talking with a colleague over a cup of coffee. The IEEE Life Fellow, who in 2006 was head of Tel Aviv University’s Porter School of Environmental Studies, was at the school’s cafeteria with a meteorological researcher. He shared his struggles with finding high-resolution weather data for his climate models, which are used to forecast and track flash floods.

Predicting floods is crucial for quickly evacuating residents in affected areas and protecting homes and businesses against damage.

Hagit Messer-Yaron

Employer Tel Aviv University

Title Professor emerita

Member grade Life Fellow

Her colleague “said researchers in the field had limited measurements because the equipment meteorologists used to collect weather data—including radar satellites—is expensive to purchase and maintain, especially in developing countries,” Messer-Yaron says.

Because of that, she says, high-resolution data about temperature, air quality, wind speed, and precipitation levels is often inconsistent—which is a problem when trying to produce accurate models and predictions.

An expert in signal processing and cellular communication, Messer-Yaron came up with the idea of using existing wireless communication signals to collect weather data, as communication networks are spread across the globe.

In 2006 she and her research team developed algorithms that process and analyze data collected by communication networks to monitor rainfall. They measure the difference in amplitude of the signals transmitted and received by the systems to extract data needed to predict flash floods.

The method was first demonstrated in Israel. Messer-Yaron is working to integrate it into communication networks worldwide.

For her work, she received this year’s IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies for “contributions to sensing of the environment using wireless communication networks.” The award is sponsored by Toyota.

“Receiving an IEEE medal, which is the highest-level award you can get within the organization, was really a surprise, and I was extremely happy to [receive] it,” she says. “I was proud that IEEE was able to evaluate and see the potential in our technology for public good and to reward it.”

A passion for teaching

Growing up in Israel, Messer-Yaron was interested in art, literature, and science. When it came time to choose a career, she found it difficult to decide, she says. Ultimately, she chose electrical engineering, figuring it would be easier to enjoy art and literature as hobbies.

After completing her mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces in 1973, she began her undergraduate studies at Tel Aviv University, where she found her passion: Signal processing.

“Electrical engineering is a very broad topic,” she says. “As an undergrad, you learn all the parts that make up electrical engineering, including applied physics and applied mathematics. I really enjoyed applied mathematics and soon discovered signal processing. I found it quite amazing how, by using algorithms, you can direct signals to extract information.”

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in EE in 1977 and continued her education there, earning master’s and doctoral degrees in 1979 and 1984. She moved to the United States for a postdoctoral position at Yale. There she worked with IEEE Life Fellow Peter Schultheiss, who was known for his research in using sensor array systems in underwater acoustics.

Inspired by Schultheiss’s passion for teaching, Messer-Yaron decided to pursue a career in academia. She was hired by Tel Aviv University as an electrical engineering professor in 1986. She was the first woman in Israel to become a full professor in the subject.

“Being a faculty member at a public university is the best job you can do. I didn’t make a lot of money, but at the end of each day, I looked back at what I did [with pride].”

For the next 14 years, she conducted research in statistical signal processing, time-delay estimation, and sensor array processing.

Her passion for teaching took her around the world as a visiting professor at Yale, the New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and other schools. She collaborated with colleagues from the universities on research projects.

In 1999 she was promoted to director of Tel Aviv University’s undergraduate electrical engineering program.

A year later, she was offered an opportunity she couldn’t refuse: Serving as chief scientist for the Israeli Ministry of Science, Culture, and Sports. She took a sabbatical from teaching and for the next three years oversaw the country’s science policy.

“I believe [working in the public sector] is part of our duty as faculty members, especially in public universities, because that makes you a public intellectual,” she says. “Working for the government gave me a broad view of many things that you don’t see as a professor, even in a large university.”

When she returned to the university in 2004, Messer-Yaron was appointed as the director of the new school of environmental studies. She oversaw the allocation of research funding and spoke with researchers individually to better understand their needs. After having coffee with one researcher, she realized there was a need to develop better weather-monitoring technology.

Hagit Messer-Yaron proudly displays her IEEE Medal for Environmental and Safety Technologies at this year’s IEEE Honors Ceremony. She is accompanied by IEEE President-Elect Kathleen Kramer and IEEE President Tom Couglin.Robb Cohen

Using signal processing to monitor weather

Because the planet is warming, the risk of flash floods is steadily increasing. Warmer air holds more water—which leads to heavier-than-usual rainfall and results in more flooding, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Data about rainfall is typically collected by satellite radar and ground-based rain gauges. However, radar images don’t provide researchers with precise readings of what’s happening on the ground, according to an Ensia article. Rain gauges are accurate but provide data from small areas only.

So Messer-Yaron set her sights on developing technology that connects to cellular networks close to the ground to provide more accurate measurements, she says. Using existing infrastructure eliminates the need to build new weather radars and weather stations.

Communication systems automatically record the transmitted signal level and the received signal level, but rain can alter otherwise smooth wave patterns. By measuring the difference in the amplitude, meteorologists could extract the data necessary to track rainfall using the signal processing algorithms.

In 2005 Messer-Yaron and her group successfully tested the technology. The following year, their “Environmental Monitoring by Wireless Communication Networks” paper was published in Science.

The algorithm is being used in Israel in partnership with all three of the country’s major cellular service providers. Messer-Yaron acknowledges, however, that negotiating deals with cellular service companies in other countries has been difficult.

To expand the technology’s use worldwide, Messer-Yaron launched a research network through the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST), called an opportunistic precipitation sensing network known as OPENSENSE. The group connects researchers, meteorologists, and other experts around the world to collaborate on integrating the technology in members’ communities.

Monitoring the effects of climate change

Since developing the technology, Messer-Yaron has held a number of jobs including president of the Open University of Israel and vice chair of the country’s Council for Higher Education, which accredits academic institutions.

She is maintaining her link with Tel Aviv University today as a professor emerita.

“Being a faculty member at a public university is the best job you can do,” she says. “I didn’t make a lot of money, but at the end of each day, I looked back at what I did [with pride]. Because of the academic freedom and the autonomy I had, I was able to do many things in addition to teaching, including research.”

To continue her work in developing technology to monitor weather events, in 2016, she helped found ClimaCell, now Tomorrow.io, based in Boston. The startup aims to use wireless communication infrastructure and IoT devices to collect real-time weather data. Messer-Yaron served as its chief scientist until 2017.

She continues to update the original algorithms with her students, most recently with machine learning capabilities to extract data from physical measurements of the signal level in communication networks.

A global engineering community

When Messer-Yaron was an undergraduate student, she joined IEEE at the suggestion of one of her professors.

“I didn’t think much about the benefits of being a member until I became a graduate student,” she says. “I started attending conferences and publishing papers in IEEE journals, and the organization became my professional community.”

She is an active volunteer and a member of the IEEE Signal Processing Society. From 1994 to 2010 she served on the society’s Signal Processing Theory and Methods technical committee. She was associate editor of IEEE Signal Processing Letters and IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing. She is a member of the editorial boards of the IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Signal Processing and IEEE Transactions on Signal Processing.

In the past 10 years, she’s been involved with other IEEE committees including the conduct review, ethics and member conduct, and global public policy bodies.

“I don’t see my career or my professional life without the IEEE,” she says

The storm decimated a region rich with dozens of species already struggling with habitat loss and disease

Torrential rain, made worse by climate change, has lashed Spain, with Valencia bearing the brunt of the floodwaters

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