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Boscastle flash flooding a 'freak event' Flash floods such as those seen in north Cornwall in 2004 are caused by a unique set of circumstances, weather experts say. While sustained rainfall is obviously key, it is the drainage and topography of the surrounding area which ultimately causes large scale flooding. Unfortunately, Boscastle, where 6cm (2ins) of rain fell in two hours on Monday causing a three-metre high wall of water to rush through the village, met the criteria. China spends big to counter severe weather caused by climate change China has started preparing for typhoons, dust storms and other extreme weather disasters as part of a 10-year plan to predict and prevent the worst impacts of climate change. China has a long history of floods and droughts but officials say the problem is getting worse. Cockermouth floods: one year on and business is booming Cost of calamity Costliest natural disasters since 1980 Counting the cost of calamities Cumbria's natural landscape may be restored to ease flooding Extreme conditions: What's happening to our weather? In 2007 a pattern of increasing heat and wet weather has been visible all around the globe, with temperature and rainfall records broken in many countries, from Australia (record drought) and India (record monsoon rains) to Greece (record forest fires). Extreme weather and climate change In the summer of 2010, Pakistan was devastated by its worst floods for generations and Moscow suffered under a blanket of smog after its hottest day in 130 years of records. What is causing these and other recent extreme weather events and are they linked to climate change? Extreme weather brings flood chaos round the world In 2007, people in countries across the world, from China to India and Sudan to Indonesia, were coping with severe wet weather, highlighting the position of flooding as the most deadly of all natural disasters. While single events cannot be linked to climate change, the flooding come as research suggests that global warming will increase rainfall in some parts of the world, including the Indian monsoon, and increase the number of hurricanes - both due increased evaporation in a warmer world. One person in 10 worldwide, including one in eight city-dwellers, lives less than 10 metres above sea-level and near the coast. This is an 'at-risk zone' for flooding and stronger storms exacerbated by climate change, a recent study found. Flash flooding a 'freak event' Floods and mudslides on three continents, as drought hits Africa How victims of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters suffered around the world in August 2010 Great Storm of 26 November 1703 Natural Hazards and the press in the Barcelona region This study analyses press articles published between 1982 and 2005 in an attempt to describe the social perception of natural hazards in Catalonia. The study examines the evolution of each type of risk in the press coverage and the results have been compared to data provided by insurance companies with respect to compensations paid out for damages. Conclusions show that floods are the most important natural hazard in the region, but that the number of headlines for each event is greater in the case of snowfalls and forest fires. Factors such as the season of the year, the proximity of the affected region to the capital, the topical issues at the time, and the presence of other important news must be considered when the impact in the press is analysed. Rising cost of catastrophes UK flood risk management strategy UK flood risk maps Where is the next Boscastle? A report published by the Environment Agency concluded that the intensity and quantity of rain and the impact on Boscastle put the conditions among the most unusual ever recorded in England and Wales. Users of the agency's online flood risk maps can find out if the place where they live has a low, moderate or significant risk of flooding.
Boscastle flash flooding a 'freak event'
China spends big to counter severe weather caused by climate change
Cockermouth floods: one year on and business is booming
Cost of calamity
Costliest natural disasters since 1980
Counting the cost of calamities
Cumbria's natural landscape may be restored to ease flooding
Extreme conditions: What's happening to our weather?
Extreme weather and climate change
Extreme weather brings flood chaos round the world
Flash flooding a 'freak event'
Floods and mudslides on three continents, as drought hits Africa
Great Storm of 26 November 1703
Natural Hazards and the press in the Barcelona region
Rising cost of catastrophes
UK flood risk management strategy
UK flood risk maps
Where is the next Boscastle?
