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Spring Outlook: Drought to persist, expand in U.S. West and High Plains

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climate outlooks

A wide view of Idaho's Hells Canyon reservoir in drought, showing a dry shoreline and receding waterline. 2018 photo.

U.S. high-tide flooding continues to increase

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Front Street in Beaufort, North Carolina, during a so-called "king tide." High tide flooding causes such public inconveniences as frequent road closures, overwhelmed storm drains and compromised infrastructure.

NOAA experts to summarize 2019 high tide flooding in the U.S., provide 2020 outlook

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Sea level rise is turning nuisance flooding into a “sunny day” event — high-tide flooding that occurs even without a storm.

6 things forecasters want you to know about weather and climate

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climate vs. weather

NOAA forecasters and researchers collaborate on a satellite data project at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma in 2018.

Summer 2020 high tide outlook is now available

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tides and currents

Downtown Annapolis, Maryland, pictured here in 2012, is one of three major East Coast urban areas already being faced with nuisance flooding in excess of 30 days per year.

Flash Flood Warnings now issued in easy-to-read format

October 2, 2019

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Highway 77 flooding in the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway, 2018.

U.S. ties record for number of high tide flooding days in 2018

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High-tide flooding like this, in Charleston, S.C., is becoming increasingly common as sea levels rise.

Experts to summarize 2018 high tide flooding in the U.S., provide 2019 outlook

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High-tide flooding like this, in Charleston, S.C., is becoming increasingly common as sea levels rise.

New online tool helps communities prepare for coastal flooding

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High tide flooding often occurs during so-called "supermoons," when the Moon comes closest to the Earth in its elliptic orbit. The supermoon of Dec. 14, 2016 caused moderate flooding on the streets of Charleston, S.C.

Spring Outlook: Historic, widespread flooding to continue through May

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Levees along the Missouri River have failed during ongoing flooding in Fremont County, Iowa damaging homes and displacing residents in this photo from March 17, 2019.

Flood safety: 6 inches of rushing water can knock you off your feet

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Flooding in Annapolis, Maryland.

Above-average number of high-tide flood days predicted for 2018

October 11, 2018

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El Nino, La Nina, ENSO

Tidal flooding in Miami.

NOAA updates Texas rainfall frequency values

September 27, 2018

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Hurricane Harvey dropped more than 50 inches of rain in the Houston area. NOAA defined the event as an exceptionally rare 1000-year event over a large area for a wide range of durations.

Video: In FLASH, forecasters now have richer data to predict fast-moving floods

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Floods are one of the most common U.S. natural disasters. A new NOAA award to the non-profit Nurture Nature Center in Easton, Pennsylvania will fund research to develop strategies to improve online flood forecasting tools and to better motivate residents to prepare for floods and respond to flood warnings.

'Turn Around Don't Drown' gets a new tune

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Matt Hawk, creator of the new "Turn Around Don't Drown" jingle

Coastal communities saw record number of high tide flooding days last year

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High tide flooding affected a boat show in Annapolis, Maryland, October 13, 2017

New NOAA report looks at national coastal flood vulnerability

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Flooded coasts, such as this one in Florida, are becoming increasingly common.

Spring Outlook: U.S. to see moderate flooding, warmer-than-normal temperatures

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climate outlooks

A springtime scene at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in Southern California, taken in March 2017. According to NOAA's Spring 2018 Outlook, forecasters expect drought to persist in the U.S. Southwest and south-central Plains during the next three months.

NOAA satellites and aircraft monitor floods from Hurricane Harvey & Irma

September 15, 2017

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technology & innovation

Map shows flooding as of Sept. 11th from Hurricane Irma (left). Photo shows Coast Guard members rescuing residents in Jacksonville, Fla (right).

View NOAA's before-and-after aerial images of Harvey damage

September 5, 2017

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Overhead views of area near Lynchburg, Texas, before (on left) and after Harvey (on right, taken August 31, 2017).

'Turn around, don't drown': What to do before, during and after a flood

August 30, 2017

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A washed out roadway in Houston, due to historic rainfall and flooding in April 2016. *Please don't do this; never drive through floodwaters.

Too much of a good thing: Flooding submerges California’s drought

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Near deadly but successful swiftwater rescue on the San Diego River overtopping the San Diego Mission Road during the night of February 27, 2017.

Spring Outlook: Risk of major flooding in North Dakota, moderate flooding in Idaho

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climate outlooks

NOAA's National Weather Service urges communities in northern North Dakota to prepare for moderate to major flooding on the Souris River this spring. Last time the river flooded was in 2011 (as pictured here, near Minot.)

Aerial photos of North Carolina flooding now available online

October 18, 2016

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Flooding in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew at Pitt-Greenville Airport in North Carolina.

Fall 2016 high tide bulletin now available for U.S. coasts

September 13, 2016

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tides and currents

Nuisance flooding along the Potomac River in Alexandria, Virginia, during a Spring 2016 "Supermoon."

Global warming increased risk, intensity of Louisiana's extreme rain event

September 7, 2016

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Aerial photo on the left of Denham Springs, Louisiana at the height of the flooding on August 15, 2016, collected by NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey at sites identified by NOAA’s National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The photo on the right was taken three days later when flood waters had receded.

Climate change increased chances of record rains in Louisiana by at least 40 percent

September 7, 2016

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A flooded intersection in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 14, 2016.

Meet NOAA's storm surge expert: Jamie Rhome

August 24, 2016

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On August, 29, 2012, Hurricane Isaac brought torrential rain to the New Orleans area. This rainfall created a surge on Lake Pontchartrain that rivaled levels seen during Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Louisiana flooding: NOAA collecting aerial images for damage assessment

August 17, 2016

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natural disasters

Flooding in Denham Springs, LA on August 14, 2016.

America’s water challenges: Science helps get the most out of every drop

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Earth Day image - Earth in water drop on a leaf.

Watersheds, flooding, and pollution

Inundated New Orleans in aftermath of Hurricane Katrina

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Freshwater Education

El Niño made a nuisance of itself in 2015

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Pedestrians stroll past standing water in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia in May 2016 after high tides in the Potomac River inundated the street.

Torrential rain brings record flooding to Houston

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A washed out roadway in Houston, due to historic rainfall and flooding in April 2016. *Please don't do this; never drive through floodwaters.

Severe storms

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With their towering size and interesting shapes thunderstorms can be beautiful. Unfortunately what they produce can be dangerous and destructive.

NOAA scientist explains 2016 U.S. Spring Outlook: What to expect

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climate outlooks

Spring 2016 U.S. flood risk map.