Vienna’s flood strategy minimized damage from Storm Boris

Vienna successfully avoided severe damage during Storm Boris thanks to a flood management system designed to handle extreme rainfall.

Sophie Hardach reports for the BBC.

In short:

Vienna experienced record rainfall, but its flood defences prevented widespread destruction.
The city’s system, including the Danube Island and New Danube channel, handled the water flow effectively, avoiding major flooding.
Despite some disruptions, such as subway damage, officials consider the flood prevention strategies a success.

Key quote:

“The damage we’ve avoided is far higher than the investment in flood protection. It's a success story.”

— Günter Blöschl, hydrologist

Why this matters:

With climate change increasing the frequency of severe storms, Vienna’s success offers a model for other cities to bolster their flood resilience. Investments in infrastructure and preparation can save lives and reduce future economic losses.

www.bbc.com

Vienna’s flood strategy minimized damage from Storm Boris

Can climate change help farmers on the Prairies?

Kenyan women defy fishing taboos as climate change threatens Lake Victoria

Can renewables withstand our worsening climate?

Wildfires make soil poisonous

Leaked memos show Supreme Court ignored climate dangers in Obama regs fight

Escape route from Iran energy shock leads to China, US allies find

US Interior Department unveils emergency plans for Colorado River

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.