The number of people in the U.S. who are exposed to flooding will nearly double over the next 30 years, according to a study in the journal Nature Climate Change.
The major driver will not be climate change. Instead, the study says population growth that spurs new development will be the chief cause.
That’s not to say climate change won’t be a factor. In fact, rising sea levels and stronger hurricanes fueled by climate change will put 700,000 more people at risk of flooding by 2050. Most of the areas facing new flood risk due to population growth will be in places that don’t have much exposure to flooding right now, largely in the interior of the country from Arkansas to Kansas to Idaho.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Sep 2, 2020
California releases guide for state water policy
Water Resilience Portfolio is roadmap for meeting water needs as climate changes.
Codes and Standards | Aug 31, 2020
Fenestration alliance updates fenestration sealants guide
First update to 2009 document.
Codes and Standards | Aug 25, 2020
Platform will allow researchers to test energy system integration at scale
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently launched the Advanced Research on Integrated Energy Systems (ARIES) platform.
Codes and Standards | Aug 20, 2020
Wariness of elevators may stymie office reopening
Workers could balk at returning to high-rises.
Codes and Standards | Aug 19, 2020
Existing laws may be restricting efforts to cut carbon emissions
Outdated policies favor fossil fuels.
Codes and Standards | Aug 18, 2020
Florida becomes the third state to adopt concrete repair code
Sets minimum requirements for design, construction, repair of concrete structural elements in buildings.
Codes and Standards | Aug 17, 2020
ASCE seeks comments on seismic standard
Pertains to design criteria for nuclear facilities.
Codes and Standards | Aug 13, 2020
COVID-19 reboot guide offers strategies for reopening K-12 schools
Looks at space considerations for reopening at different scales.
Codes and Standards | Aug 12, 2020
Document provides guidance for mass timber construction
Overview of Intl. Building Code requirements included.
Codes and Standards | Aug 11, 2020
Inefficient air conditioning is a key contributor to global warming
More efficient equipment and buildings could make a big difference.
