Dissertation
An integrated flood impact assessment framework for mitigation and decision support systems
University of Iowa
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
Autumn 2023
DOI: 10.25820/etd.006917
Abstract
Flooding is one of the most prevalent types of natural disasters affecting communities worldwide. It is expected to persist with increasing magnitude and frequency due to climate change, leading to direct and indirect negative consequences. The flood impact assessment is considered as a critical component of flood risk management strategies, such as benefit-cost analysis for mitigation planning. However, it is a complicated procedure and requires significant resources and skills, posing challenges for communities with limited resources. This dissertation investigates the socioeconomic impacts of flooding on diverse aspects (e.g., population, infrastructure) and geospatial scales in the State of Iowa. The study also conducts a thorough benefit-cost analysis of flood mitigation applications (e.g., elevation, wet floodproofing) and develops accessible web-based analytical systems to communicate flood-related adverse effects, promote mitigation practices, and assist with mitigation decisions. The findings reveal that Iowa's communities and counties are unequally impacted by flooding and identify economically feasible flood mitigation measures at the community-level.
Also, the web-based applications developed in this study facilitate the dissemination of flood-related information to various stakeholders, including the public, without requiring additional software installation on the user's local workstation. This research aimed to improve understanding of flood impacts, identify vulnerable areas, assess and prioritize mitigation initiatives, and involve various stakeholders in flood risk management. The approach can also be implemented in diverse geographic scales, leading to evidence-based decision-making in flood risk management.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- An integrated flood impact assessment framework for mitigation and decision support systems
- Creators
- Yazeed Alabbad
- Contributors
- Ibrahim Demir (Advisor)Witold F. Krajewski (Committee Member)Allen Bradley (Committee Member)Nathan Young (Committee Member)Caglar Koylu (Committee Member)
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), University of Iowa
- Degree in
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Date degree season
- Autumn 2023
- DOI
- 10.25820/etd.006917
- Publisher
- University of Iowa
- Number of pages
- xv, 236 pages
- Copyright
- Copyright 2023 Yazeed Alabbad
- Language
- English
- Date submitted
- 11/27/2023
- Description illustrations
- illustrations, maps, tables, graphs
- Description bibliographic
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 182-231).
- Public Abstract (ETD)
- Floods can generate direct and indirect negative impacts on communities around the world, including damage to buildings and roads, loss of life and access to essential services like hospitals. The frequency and severity of flooding are increasing due to various factors, such as climate change and human activity. Flood impact studies are necessary to identify sensitive regions and populations and to evaluate mitigation projects to reduce the negative effects on communities. This research explores the impacts of flooding on Iowa State communities and counties. It focuses on estimating damage to people, buildings, businesses, roads, bridges, and vehicles. To avoid or minimize the flood impacts, different mitigation measures, such as elevating homes, are analyzed in this research. Also, web-based platforms are developed to enable decision makers (e.g., emergency managers and the public) to easily access flood-related information, including flood impacts and mitigation practices, in order to plan and prepare for future flood events.
- Academic Unit
- Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Record Identifier
- 9984546849402771
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