Peering south from the top half of the North American continent, a casual observer might be inclined to believe that climate-change driven floods are a crisis for the south, with its long seacoasts and vulnerability to Atlantic hurricanes.
But a little bit of history tells us otherwise, even before we take into account climate change. Snowmelt flooding is a constant, if periodic, feature of this continent. It is well publicized when it occurs in the populous Mississippi Basin, less so when it happens with great regularity in the rivers running towards the arctic. Canadians annually prepare to evacuate northern communities during spring breakup. Residents who are evacuated may stay for weeks in hockey arenas and other temporary accommodation.
Now, a new climate change phenomenon rears its head, dubbed “atmospheric rivers.” Excess rainfall in the past few weeks has done enormous damage to housing and infrastructure in west coast Washington State and British Columbia. On the east coast, Newfoundland suffered similar damage, with the southwest corner of the island cut off by washouts on highways. Events like this impact as tragedies for the poorest, and the most poorly housed residents — those unable to afford all the extra expenses, such as the rising cost of emergency food supplies.
Suddenly, alternate strategies for managing flooding are much in demand, particularly after torrential rains in New York City drowned residents in their basement apartments.
Not surprising then that new thinking, such as covered in the following article, is worthy of considerable attention. Read more at Fast Company: When New York floods, this ‘living street’ stays dry
