Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States

Eric Tate; Md Asif Rahman; Christopher T. Emrich; Christopher C. Sampson

doi:10.1007/s11069-020-04470-2

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Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States

Eric Tate, Md Asif Rahman, Christopher T. Emrich and Christopher C. Sampson

Natural hazards (Dordrecht), Vol.106(1), pp.435-457

03/01/2021

DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04470-2

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Abstract

Human exposure to floods continues to increase, driven by changes in hydrology and land use. Adverse impacts amplify for socially vulnerable populations, who disproportionately inhabit flood-prone areas. This study explores the geography of flood exposure and social vulnerability in the conterminous United States based on spatial analysis of fluvial and pluvial flood extent, land cover, and social vulnerability. Using bivariate Local Indicators of Spatial Association, we map hotspots where high flood exposure and high social vulnerability converge and identify dominant indicators of social vulnerability within these places. The hotspots, home to approximately 19 million people, occur predominantly in rural areas and across the US South. Mobile homes and racial minorities are most overrepresented in hotspots compared to elsewhere. The results identify priority locations where interventions can mitigate both physical and social aspects of flood vulnerability. The variables that most distinguish the clusters are used to develop an indicator set of social vulnerability to flood exposure. Understanding who is most exposed to floods and where, can be used to tailor mitigation strategies to target those most in need.

Geology

Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences

Physical Sciences

Science & Technology

Water Resources

Details

Title: Subtitle: Flood exposure and social vulnerability in the United States
Creators: Eric Tate - University of Iowa
Md Asif Rahman - Univ Iowa, Geog & Sustainabil Sci, 316 Jessup Hall, Iowa City, IA 52242 USA
Christopher T. Emrich - University of Central Florida
Christopher C. Sampson - Avon (United States)
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Natural hazards (Dordrecht), Vol.106(1), pp.435-457
DOI: 10.1007/s11069-020-04470-2
ISSN: 0921-030X
eISSN: 1573-0840
Publisher: Springer Nature
Number of pages: 23
Language: English
Date published: 03/01/2021
Academic Unit: Civil and Environmental Engineering; Public Policy Center (Archive); Geographical and Sustainability Sciences
Record Identifier: 9984259386102771

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