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Impacts of flooding and climate change on Superfund sites
Citation:
Tang, C. AND V. Garcia. Impacts of flooding and climate change on Superfund sites. AGU fall meeting 2022, Chicago, IL, December 12 - 16, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
The simulation meteorological and hydrological data and maps created for this study will provide key screening level information to communities, developers, local governments, and other potential site users.
Description:
In United States, over three hundred Superfund sites are in danger of flooding, putting millions of Americans at risk. In recent years, the frequency and severity of the hurricane-related flooding have increased, and over 50% of extreme floods occurred outside of FEMA flood zone. 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 over 200 Superfund sites nationwide by using the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model from 1950 to 2020. We also predict the impacts of climate change on Superfund sites from 2021 to 2100 and created GIS layer maps illustrating the climate and hydrological variables under climate changes. To show the dynamical impacts of flooding, we have developed layer maps to animate hydrological and meteorological variables at the 16-administrator emphasis lists 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.
