A Flood of Tourism in Johnstown
Days after a failed dam led to the drowning deaths of more than 2,200 people, the Pennsylvania industrial town was flooded again—with tourists.
The Flood Behind Bessie Smith’s “Back-Water Blues”
The Mississippi River flood that Smith allegedly memorialized happened weeks after she'd written and released her song. Where was the real “Back Water”?
Improving Communications Around Climate Change
How can scientists better explain the potential hazards of sea-level rise to historic coastal communities?
How Do Scientists Define a Heat Wave?
It seems that every summer brings record temperatures. But there's more to a heat wave than daytime highs.
The Highest Flood in Italy This Century
Recent flooding in Venice has revived memories of a record-setting 1966 flood, which sparked an international rescue program for art and architecture.
How Toxic Are Flood Waters?
While flood waters can be extremely polluted, researchers have found the lasting impact is different from what one might expect.
Why Tornadoes Are So Difficult to Predict
Scientists and weather forecasters have been trying to understand tornadoes for over 100 years, but the average advanced warning is still only 14 minutes.
Supermalaria, Disaster Testing, and a Drop in Antibiotics Use
A new drug-resistant malaria strain is spreading in South-East Asia. Farmers may be using fewer anti-biotics. Engineers are studying national disasters.
Epic Cleanups: Hurricane Sandy, Nuclear Waste, and Oil Spills
From oil spills to nuclear waste, humans are good at making epic messes. Sometimes we come up with clean up ideas and sometimes we neglect repairs entirely.
Raging Seas, Blazing Smoke, and (Maybe) a Supervolcano
Have humans angered the planet? Smothering air pollution in California, rising seas in Oceania, and supervocanos that could cause global catastrophe.