Recent devastating floods in Europe, Asia, and parts of the U.S. have highlighted the vulnerability of urban areas to hurricanes and severe storms.
Following the catastrophic November floods in Valencia, Spain, which resulted in over 200 deaths—the nation’s worst flooding in decades—King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez surveyed the damage. Residents expressed outrage over the loss of life.
Severe flooding in Southern Germany caused eight fatalities and significant damage to homes, bridges, and roads, impacting Austria and Croatia as well. Hurricane and storm damage along the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts also resulted in widespread destruction.
Asheville, North Carolina, previously considered too far inland to be directly affected, experienced significant damage, with cleanup efforts continuing late into the year.
While media attention often focuses on surface-level damage from hurricanes and severe storms, experts have long warned of the threat to water supplies.
Many cities globally, including Amsterdam, Toronto, Seoul, and numerous U.S. cities, have implemented measures to protect their water systems; however, recent climate emergencies demonstrate the need for further action.
Andrew Kruczkeiwicz of the Columbia University Climate School notes the widespread risk of flash floods across the United States.
In 2008, the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reported substantial evidence of climate change’s vulnerability and potential impact on freshwater resources, with severe consequences for societies and ecosystems.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cautions that hurricanes and floods can compromise water system pressure, leading to groundwater contamination of equipment, pipes, and drinking water.
FEMA suggests various mitigation strategies for municipalities, including elevating and relocating pump houses, installing flood-proof motors in pumping stations, and increasing emergency clean water storage.
Victoria Salinas, FEMA’s senior official acting as Deputy Administrator for Resilience, emphasizes the underestimation of flood risk nationwide, noting that many Americans, while aware of flooding, don’t believe it will impact them.
Federally funded programs have been implemented in Minot, North Dakota; Gastonia and Asheville, North Carolina; Houma, Louisiana; and Trenton, New Jersey, tailored to local water system vulnerabilities. However, FEMA states there’s no single, universally cost-effective mitigation solution.
Storm-related costs are escalating. By late 2024, FEMA had disbursed over $1.2 billion in direct aid to survivors of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with an additional $1.1 billion allocated for debris removal and other measures.
Hurricane Helene severely impacted Western North Carolina’s water systems, knocking out two water treatment plants due to stormwater inundation. This resulted in a 70% disruption of Asheville’s water supply and rendered over 40% of private wells undrinkable.
World Central Kitchen, José Andrés’ charity, delivered water and food to isolated mountain communities in the Asheville area.
During Hurricane Milton, 30 water mains in St. Petersburg, Florida, broke, primarily due to falling trees, leading to boil water advisories in a dozen Florida municipalities.
A similar storm 70 years prior spurred Toronto’s flood mitigation efforts. In 1954, a hurricane, traveling from the Bahamas through Virginia and New York State, hit Ontario, dumping over 11 inches of rain on Toronto.
This resulted in the destruction of most west-side bridges, 81 deaths, and widespread home loss.
This prompted a long-term effort including shifting development away from floodplains, creating green spaces on former residential sites, floodwater containment, and improved warning systems.
David Kellershohn of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority notes that direct experience drives action.
While Toronto rarely experiences hurricanes, it faces increasingly intense rainfall. July 2024 saw record rainfall, with nearly 8.5 inches. A mid-July storm caused an estimated $940 million in insured damages. August set a new single-day rainfall record, causing freeway closures and vehicle stranding.
Experts highlight the need for increased public awareness of the everyday risks posed by hurricanes and sudden storms. Kruczkeiwicz emphasizes that flash flooding is a nationwide concern, occurring in unexpected locations.
In July 2024, Seoul experienced severe rainfall, resulting in four deaths, landslide warnings in almost 50 locations, and the evacuation of 3,500 people. Officials advised against using underground parking and freeway underpasses to prevent entrapment.
This followed a similar event two years prior, prompting Seoul to initiate flood control measures focusing on apartment buildings and subway stations, including underground rainwater storage and a forecast/alert system.
With improved information dissemination, Toronto officials aim to prevent a recurrence of the devastation caused by the historic Hazel storm, despite the potential for similar rainfall levels. Kellershohn emphasizes their enhanced ability to warn and protect the public.