Recent storms such as Hurricanes Ida and Henri that claimed dozens of lives due to flooding point to the need for cities to increase efforts to stem the impact of heavy rainfall.
The recent storms support the notion that climate change is making the impact of large storms worse. The atmosphere holds more water as temperatures rise. The air becomes 4% more saturated with water for every 1-degree Fahrenheit that the planet warms. Thus, the heaviest downpours in the Northeast now drop 55% more rain compared to those events in the 1950s, according to the most recent National Climate Assessment.
Better data about flood risks could help cities make massive rainfall events less deadly, but data gathering has not kept up with the latest conditions. The Federal Emergency Management Administration’s flood maps are outdated and don’t account for the kind of flooding directly caused by extreme rainfall.
Cities must upgrade urban stormwater infrastructure including street-level drains, concrete sewers that can capture and hold water, roadside ditches, and flood-control reservoirs to cope with the new reality. In addition, more green spaces could help absorb some rainfall, preventing it from entering drains. These steps can help, but it remains to be seen if it is even possible to engineer our way to 100% protection against flooding.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
New document addresses school safety and security
In an effort to balance security and fire safety features within codes, standards and planning, NFPA hosted a two-day workshop, “School Safety, Codes and Security”, last December. The findings are now available in an NFPA report.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
Two myths regarding NFPA 101 Life Safety Code debunked
NFPA life safety engineer Ron Coté settles the debate over second egress doors and exit signs.
Codes and Standards | Jun 18, 2015
How to prevent corrosion in sprinkler system piping
The technical committees responsible for NFPA 13, Installation of Sprinkler Systems, have been looking at ways to eliminate or reduce corrosion in sprinkler systems for several revision cycles.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
Steel Framing Alliance updates ‘Thermal Design and Code Compliance for Cold-Formed Steel Walls’ design guide
Includes results of new tests and addresses IECC and ASHRAE compliance paths.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
Helena, Mont., may charge commercial developers a fee to fund public art
The fee would apply to new construction or alteration of nonresidential buildings of at least 20,000 sf.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2015
DBIA releases new document on choosing a project delivery method
Provides owners and others with factors to consider when choosing the best method of delivery for their project.
High-rise Construction | Jun 5, 2015
Japanese policymakers discuss mandate for toilets in elevators
This quirky-sounding building code is a safety measure for the earthquake-prone nation.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2015
OSHA publishes guide to restroom access for transgender workers
The guide advises employers to allow employees to use restrooms that correspond to their gender identity.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2015
Guide helps Building Teams maximize team integration
The guide includes forms to support a two- to four-hour workshop to help an owner select the most appropriate delivery strategy.
Codes and Standards | Jun 4, 2015
NIBS, RICS to explore P3 as tool to achieve high-performance buildings
The idea of applying the P3 concept more to buildings, and especially building performance, is a potentially promising new avenue in the U.S., according to the trade groups.
