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How do flooding and climate change impact Superfund sites?
Citation:
Tang, C. AND V. Cover. How do flooding and climate change impact Superfund sites? 102 AMS Conference, houston, Tx, January 23 - 27, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
AMS is the nation’s premier scientific and professional organization promoting and disseminating information about atmospheric, oceanic and hydrologic sciences. The 102nd Annual Meeting is “Environmental Security: Weather, water, and climate for a more secure world” applies to research, broadcast, government services, industry applications, risk management, education, policy, communications and more. Present my work in this conference will let more people know the research and serve the public good.
Description:
In recent years, frequency and severity of extreme flooding has increased. There are over three hundred Superfund sites across our nation that are vulnerable to flooding and extreme climate events. Over a million people who live within a mile of these sites face increased health risks during flooding. Frequency and severity of storms continues to increase and now pose a greater threat to these Superfund sites. In this study, we quantified the impacts of extreme flooding (extent, flow volume/velocity, and frequency/duration) at 229 Superfund sites nationwide by using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model and evaluated the impacts from 1950 to 2020. We also forecasted the impacts of climate change on Superfund sites from 2021 to 2100 and created GIS layer maps illustrating the climate and hydrological variables. To show the dynamical impacts of flooding, we have developed layer maps to animate hydrological and meteorological variables at the 229 Superfund sites by utilizing the Qlik mapping tool. Our capability to dynamically model extreme flooding events will fill-in needed information on the extent of extreme floods and impacted communities that live within and outside of associated flood plains. The data and maps created as part of this study will provide key screening level information to communities, developers, local governments, and other potential site users.
