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 The Federal Emergency Management Administration’s flood maps are outdated and don’t account for the kind of flooding directly caused by extreme rainfall.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 | Aug 29, 2019
LEED residential market up 19% since 2017
The U.S. Green Building Council says that the LEED residential market has grown 19% since 2017. Nearly 500,000 single family, multifamily, and affordable housing units have been certified globally.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Slower speed limits in urban areas offer multiple benefits
Improved safety, better adoption of electric scooters and autonomous vehicles are possible if drivers ease off the accelerator.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Renewables creating significant savings for commercial and public facilities
Payback ranges from five to 15 years.
Codes and Standards | Aug 27, 2019
Oregon rescinds tsunami-zone construction ban
Other states have no ban, but have strengthened building codes for tidal wave resilience.
Urban Planning | Aug 27, 2019
Pop-up parks revitalize empty lots
Pop-up parks that provide instant open areas for public use and programming can revitalize under-utilized spaces and add vibrancy to neighborhoods.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Texas flood prevention initiative would create nation’s most ambitious barrier system
Plan including sand dunes and mechanical barriers would cost as much as $32 billion.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Multimedia app identifies construction hazards
Researchers say program will reduce injuries, save lives.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
Cities take action to keep cool as climate heats up
Initiatives include cool streets, cool roofs, and broader urban tree canopy.
Codes and Standards | Aug 22, 2019
5G expected to give a boost to construction technology
Virtual reality, Internet of Things, robotics, and drones will all benefit from enhanced data flows.
Codes and Standards | Aug 15, 2019
New edition of Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete available
American Concrete Institute document includes major technical changes.