The flood impact assessment is considered as a key component of flood risk management strategies, such as benefit-cost analysis for mitigation planning. This study aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of socio-economic impacts for the 100 and 500-year flood scenarios for major Iowa communities. The analysis includes impact on essential facilities, businesses, and vehicles, loss of life, amount of debris transported downstream, displaced population, and floodplain vulnerability classification. Due to the differences in the topography and the spatial distribution of buildings and infrastructure, and the absence of sufficient flood prevention measures within the study area, our findings illustrate that some communities will suffer significant damage and losses during flooding. This research could aid communities in making more effective decisions regarding damage reduction, prioritizing mitigation actions, and preparing for future flood events.
Related Articles
- Alabbad, Y., & Demir, I. (2022). Urban Flood Impact Assessment and Hazard Vulnerability Analysis: Iowa Case Study. EarthArxiv, 3051. (DOI: https://doi.org/10.31223/X5C919 )
The potential life losses per impacted census block during the 500-yr flood scenario for Cedar Rapids (a), Cedar Falls (b) Charles City (c), Independence (d), and Waterloo (e).
Floodplain vulnerability classification during the 100-yr flood (left) and 500-yr flood (right) for Adel (a, b) and Iowa City (c, d); SV: small vehicles, C: children, E: elderly, V: all vehicles, P: all people, SB: structural buildings or buildings without special requirements, B: all buildings).
