About 25% of all critical infrastructure in the U.S. is at risk of failure due to flooding, according to a new report by the First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research and technology group.
Nearly 2 million miles of road—roughly 23% of US roadways—are at risk of becoming impassable due to flooding, the report also found. Researchers examined five categories of infrastructure in the contiguous U.S., including the District of Columbia: Critical infrastructure; social infrastructure, including museums, government buildings and schools; roads; commercial properties; and residential properties.
Researchers examined estimates of operational flood risk from government agencies to determine the amount of flooding it would take to knock different types of facilities or services offline. They then overlaid the kinds of flood events that can be expected in an area at least once every two years.
Louisiana is home to six of the top 20 most at-risk counties in the country, making it the most vulnerable state. Though many coastal areas in other states are threatened, flood risk is also a threat in inland states. Areas such as McDowell County in West Virginia and Johnson County in Kentucky are among the most at-risk because of the growing threat of heavy rain.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 22, 2020
More than 130 building projects have engaged LEED’s Safety First Credits in response to COVID-19
Best practices helping companies develop and measure healthy, sustainable, and resilient reopening efforts.
Codes and Standards | Oct 21, 2020
New technologies and techniques can ‘future-proof’ buildings
Net-zero principles may give buildings longer lives.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2020
Updated AIA Contractor’s Qualification Statement and Warranty Bond documents available
Statement now includes safety protocols and plans, sustainability, and BIM experience.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2020
NEXT Coalition chooses five pilot projects to fight COVID-19 on jobsites
Mobile platforms, wearable sensors, AI video systems among the trial solutions.
Codes and Standards | Oct 15, 2020
Neighborhoods Now offers cost-effective, DIY designs in response to COVID-19 pandemic
Designs include barriers for outdoor dining, sidewalk retail displays, and modular seating for public spaces.
Codes and Standards | Oct 14, 2020
Standard contract document for prefab and modular building released
ConsensusDocs addresses the most common prefabricated construction use-case scenario.
Codes and Standards | Oct 13, 2020
Austin is first major Texas city to adopt wildfire code
New ordinance based on the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2020
Guidance offered for K-12 schools to support students with asthma
Green purchasing policies for cleaning, filters, furniture and other products encouraged.
Codes and Standards | Oct 7, 2020
More energy efficiency programs are encouraging zero-energy projects
At least 20 programs for new construction, major renovations emerge.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2020
LEED, GBCI rating systems spur resilience-enhancing strategies
Expanded programs, resources address impact of climate change.