Case studies of cloudbursts and ultra-urban floods: a socio-eco-technical assessment of pluvial flooding events in Baltimore and New York City
Abstract
Short-duration, intense ('cloudburst') rain events are a priority management issue for city practitioners. In many older, built-out cities, natural stream channels were replaced by subterranean sewers designed to drain stormwater associated with only moderate rainfall intensity. When rainfall rates exceed those equivalent to the sewer network design storm, 'pluvial' (also known as 'surface', 'overland', or 'stormwater') flooding can occur. This type of flooding is not required to be considered in U.S. National Flood Insurance Program hazard mapping, and these events remain poorly studied and underrepresented in conventional flood risk assessment. Here, we present case studies of 21st Century pluvial flooding events in Baltimore and New York City, utilizing terrain analyses, assessment of radar-based quantitative precipitation estimates, and integration of data on the built environment and socioeconomic exposure. Our case studies demonstrate the potential severity of pluvial flooding impacts in urban areas that are topographically vulnerable and highlight the need for improved techniques for cloudburst monitoring and prediction to support urban resilience planning.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2019
- Bibcode:
- 2019AGUFM.H33K2088R
- Keywords:
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- 3305 Climate change and variability;
- ATMOSPHERIC PROCESSES;
- 1816 Estimation and forecasting;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 1817 Extreme events;
- HYDROLOGY;
- 4333 Disaster risk analysis and assessment;
- NATURAL HAZARDS