Non-structural flood mitigation optimization at community scale: Middle Cedar Case Study

Enes Yildirim; Yazeed Alabbad; Ibrahim Demir

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119025

Flooding is the leading natural hazard in Iowa and has resulted in billions of dollars of damage to properties and critical infrastructure over the past couple of decades. Land alterations, urbanization, and changing precipitation regimes increase the magnitude and frequency of flood events. Considering the increasing risk, flood mitigation efforts are significant to reduce future losses. In this study, we present a comprehensive flood mitigation assessment for the cities of Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo in Iowa, utilizing various datasets such as property information, flood inundation maps, mitigation costs, and depth-damage functions. The research revealed that flooding has a minimal impact on Waterloo below the 200-year return period flood scenario, but Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids are significantly vulnerable, requiring more mitigation investments and planning. The study conducted a benefit-cost analysis, indicating that dry floodproofing is the most feasible option to reduce flood impacts in all studied communities. Moreover, the research conducted a climate data-driven analysis, which found that elevating structures significantly increases the number of feasible mitigation options, regardless of various long-term climate projections. The study also analyzed predetermined mitigation budgets, revealing potential avoided losses and benefit-cost ratios for properties with the highest BCRs and prioritizing them to maximize the total benefit to the communities. The study findings offer crucial insights and recommendations to guide decision-makers in the community on prioritizing cost-effective flood mitigation strategies and minimizing flood impact in the studied regions. •The study identifies varying levels of flood damage and affected properties across different flood scenarios for Cedar Falls, Cedar Rapids, and Waterloo, emphasizing the need for tailored mitigation measures in each community.•Property buyouts have effectively reduced the impact of flooding in Waterloo, while Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids remain at risk, highlighting the necessity for additional protective measures.•Dry floodproofing is identified as the most practical mitigation option across the study area, providing higher benefits and withstanding high flood levels. Wet floodproofing becomes more viable in severe flood scenarios, and elevation is practical for higher flood levels.•The analysis assesses the cost-effectiveness of flood reduction measures for a one-time flood event and highlights the importance of considering climate scenarios and long-term benefits when evaluating mitigation strategies.

Non-structural flood mitigation optimization at community scale: Middle Cedar Case Study

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