The Critical Role of Civil Engineers in Flood Planning and Prevention
In the face of escalating climate change challenges, the frequency and intensity of floods can no longer be ignored. With the projected increase in flooding events, the significance of prioritizing flood planning has intensified. Stepping onto the forefront of this critical battle are the dedicated and trained Civil Engineers, who play a pivotal role in the designing and implementation of effective flood prevention measures.
Their significant contributions safeguard not only individual properties but also ensure the resilience of vital facilities, municipalities, properties and entire communities at large.
The Reality of Flooding: Facts and Figures
Understanding the toll that flooding takes on a community is key to being able to diagram, strategize, and create a flood plan to mitigate the impacts of expected flooding. Flooding is responsible for the majority of damage inflicted upon communities in the U.S.
Heavy rainstorms, swelling rivers and tidal swings pose a constant threat throughout the year, wreaking havoc and causing significant disruption and costly repairs. It is crucial to thoroughly comprehend the multifaceted consequences of flooding in order to develop effective solutions and implement preventive measures that will safeguard properties from this persistent threat.
Understand these flood facts:
Economic Toll:
The cost of flood damage to homes in the United States will increase 61% over the next 30 years (Reuters).
Loss of Life:
Between 2010-2021 an average of 114 people died annually as a result of flood events (MoneyGeek).
These statistics demonstrate the urgency of addressing flood risks and the importance of having dedicated professionals like Civil Engineers leading the charge. By accounting for the dangers of flooding as well as the frequency, plans are able to be properly executed to maximize protection and focus on safety.
The U.S. has sustained 373 weather and climate related disasters since 1980 where overall damages/costs reached or exceeded $1 Billion.
The total cost of these 373 weather events exceeds $2.650 Trillion and has resulted in 16,322 deaths.
Why Civil Engineers are Central to Flood Prevention
Civil Engineers play a pivotal role in shaping our built environment. From designing roads and bridges to planning entire cities, they ensure that infrastructure is safe, functional, and resilient. When it comes to flood prevention, their expertise becomes even more crucial for several reasons:
Infrastructure Design: Properly designed infrastructure can either mitigate or exacerbate flood risks. Civil Engineers ensure that roads, bridges, and buildings are constructed to withstand floodwaters, diverting them away from populated areas and critical facilities.
Water Management: Design dams, levees, and drainage systems that control the flow of water systems, reducing the risk of sudden flood water emergencies and overflowing drainage and a rise in water body levels.
Land Use Planning: By advising on land use and zoning regulations, they can prevent construction in high-risk flood zones, ensuring that developments are located in areas less prone to flooding and adhere to FEMA’s guidelines.
Erosion Control: The erosion of riverbanks, canals and ocean fronts can increase flood risks. Civil Engineers design solutions for conquering coastlines to prevent erosion and protect waterfront property and communities.
The Importance of a Dedicated Focus on Flood Prevention
Given the increasing threats posed by flood events, it’s important to be proactive. Civil Engineers analyze and anticipate potential flood scenarios and design infrastructure that can withstand the force and hydrostatic pressure associated with severe flooding. Here's why a dedicated focus on flood prevention is essential:
Saving Lives: The primary goal of flood prevention is to protect human life. By designing infrastructure that can withstand the extreme force of flooding or divert floodwaters, Civil Engineers play a direct role in reducing the risk of emergencies.
Economic Protection: Civil Engineers implement flood control solutions to help safeguard local economies, allowing businesses to operate and residents to recover swiftly after a flood.
Environmental Conservation: Floods can cause significant physical environmental damage, from eroding landscapes to contaminating water sources. Civil Engineers design systems that protect the environment.
Community Resilience: Communities that are prepared for floods recover more quickly and are less likely to experience long-term negative impacts. Civil Engineers play a significant role in building this resilience, ensuring that communities can bounce back after a flood event.
Watch The Below Video to Learn About The Role of Civil Engineers in Flood Planning and Prevention
With the escalating dangers presented by the ongoing crisis of climate change and the alarming surge in severe weather occurrences, the significance of a Civil Engineer's responsibilities has reached unprecedented heights. It is in these critical times that Garrison Flood Control upholds its mission to lend invaluable resources and support to empower engineering professionals to stay flood-ready through effective and advanced flood protection systems.
Our expertise and successful projects allows us to work closely with Civil Engineers in order to define the most vulnerable areas of certain infrastructure and offer the ideal solution.
Are you a Civil Engineer and looking to bolster your infrastructure’s flood defense? Contact Garrison today and talk with one of our Flood Tech Specialists about your specific needs.