Interdisciplinary Texas A&M research funded by the National Science Foundation aims to create data and framework to better inform flash flooding mitigation and preparedness.
It happens in a flash. That’s how it got its name. It quickly rushes through homes, vehicles and entire communities, leaving behind a devastating path of destruction. It’s among the top weather-related killers in the United States. Flash floods hit with little lead time or warning, but Nasir Gharaibeh and a team of scientists are working to reduce flash flood fatalities and injuries through better mitigation measures.
“This project will increase our understanding of why unsafe conditions exist during flash flood events and how to reduce or eliminate these conditions,” said Gharaibeh, an associate professor in the Zachry Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Texas A&M University. “Problems are best solved by correcting their root causes, rather than reacting to their symptoms.”
The project funded by a $350,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. Researchers estimate it will take three years to complete. The team’s work began in September with the development of algorithms for searching the web and social media for data on approximately 41,307 flash flood events that have occurred over the past 10 years in the United States.
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