Here's how cities can become more resilient to flooding

Aug 31, 2022

Flooding in a city, a more and more common sight as a result of rising temperatures caused by rising greenhouse gas emissions. Image: Unsplash/Juan Manuel Sanchez

Richard B. Rood

Professor of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering and School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Michigan

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A photo showing flooding in eastern Kentucky.

Extreme storms in mountainous regions like eastern Kentucky can quickly funnel floodwater into valleys, creating different hazards than flatter cities would face from the same storm. Image: Arden S. Barnes/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

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With higher temperatures come more severe storms that lead to flooding. Image: IPCC Sixth Assessment Report

Maps of America different climate change scenarios impact precipitation flooding US

Even in a future with low greenhouse gas emissions, extreme precipitation events will be more likely in parts of the U.S. Image: National Climate Assessment 2018

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What is 'sunny day flooding' and why is it happening more often?

Examining case studies and past floods provides a way to consider future flooding events from an experience base of known community vulnerabilities. In picture, Tim Edwards, facility manager for the National Archives Image: Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images

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