As the global climate changes, coastal regions experience higher flood rates. In March, southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales faced catastrophic flooding. In some areas, floodwaters reached 14.4 meters high.
The recent disaster broke some Australian flood records. Environmental engineers and scientists are working to prevent future damage by enhancing flooding disaster resilience technology. Before exploring the supportive technologies, individuals must assess the effects of recent floods.
Extreme Flooding in Queensland and New South Wales
The recent flood in Queensland and New South Wales is Australia’s worst natural disaster in history. The March storm produced more rainwater than London receives in an entire year. It caused significant property damage and adverse biodiversity effects.
During the disaster, the Wilson River broke its 1954 flood record by over 2 meters. Coastal communities and habitats suffered structural damage and life-threatening effects. As the global precipitation rate rises, flooding will continue disrupting residential and natural areas.
Environmentalists are assessing the causes of natural disasters and developing resilience practices. Some individuals believe in rebuilding coastal communities, while others feel resistant. If the global temperature continues rising, individuals may lose their homes and other valuable items to floods.
Climate Change’s Effects on Flooding
As the global temperature rises, Earth’s water cycle changes. As the evaporation rate increases, some regions experience extended drought periods while others face heightened precipitation. More rainfall causes soil degradation, habitat destruction, and property damage.
When climate change increases flooding frequency, rainwater strips vegetated regions of soil nutrients. Plants rely on essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and silicon to facilitate photosynthesis. Over time, soil erosion from flooding minimizes plant growth and Earth’s natural carbon filtration process.
Frequent and intense flooding also impacts residential and commercial buildings’ stability. High precipitation can cause moisture to damage building insulation. Wet insulation minimizes its heating and cooling support.
Rainwater can also seep into a building’s drywall, creating mold and mildew. The contaminants may adversely impact residents’ health and well-being over time. Individuals can protect themselves and their properties from water damage by improving disaster resilience measures.
Improving Disaster Resilience Practices
Environmentalists are helping communities explore the best flood resilience practices for their regions. As climate change worsens, the sea levels will rise. Since 1880, the planet’s sea level has risen by nearly 9 inches.
If society continues releasing greenhouse gas emissions into the environment, the tides will continue rising. After significant floods, many architects will rebuild coastal properties on stilts to prevent future damage. Some builders are elevating homes nearly 14 feet off the ground to avoid flooding.
Others are installing smart systems in residential and commercial buildings to predict and respond to flooding. The technology may reduce adverse environmental effects by protecting building materials. There are three systems increasing individuals’ flood resilience.
Smart Technologies for Flood Prevention
Environmental engineers developed a smart water system using artificial intelligence (AI), which predicts local floods. The Dayu Smart Water System (SWS) uses sensors and monitoring software to track storms and potential damage. Scientists believe the technology will improve emergency responses, minimizing adverse health and property impacts.
Residents can connect a Dayu SWS to autonomous basement pumps. Smart water pumps connect to the Internet of Things (IoT) and use sensors to detect flooding. When water enters individuals’ basements, the pumps automatically turn on and remove floodwater.
IoT pumps can increase flood resilience by minimizing structural damage. Individuals may also install water leak monitors to prevent internal flooding. Smart leak detectors connect to water-intensive appliances and monitor moisture levels.
They also connect to building owners’ smartphones, providing alerts when they detect leaks. Individuals may respond quickly to floods after receiving alerts to protect themselves and their properties. Smart flood resilience technologies provide residents with various benefits.
Benefits of Smart Resilience Systems
Individuals experience adverse health effects when intense and frequent flooding occurs. Investing in flood resilience technologies can increase a property’s structural stability. Smart systems also use significantly less energy, minimizing a resident’s utility costs and emissions. Advanced flood resilience technologies also enhance individuals’ communication during natural disasters. Increasing communication helps residents quickly access emergency services.
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