Flooding

Transcript: Hi, I’m flooding. I come in two different types: chronic events and acute events. Chronic events usually happen along the coast and along big bodies of water whereas acute events tend to happen along rivers and inland areas. There are many sources of flooding. A major rainstorm, hurricane, or snowstorm can cause acute flooding. With temperatures rising globally, more glaciers are melting, causing oceans to rise. And as ocean temperatures rise, the water itself expands. The impermeable surfaces in built environments can exacerbate flooding, because stormwater cannot be absorbed into the ground. When floods happen, buildings become submerged in standing water for prolonged periods of time, causing mold and destruction. Flooding harms our physical health because standing water causes mold, which is dangerous when inhaled, and standing water can also spread infectious diseases. Flooding can also be harmful to our mental health as it causes destruction of communities and displaces people out of their homes. In addition, it can cause disruption in care, food, housing, education, and employment. Historical injustices in our built environment, such as disinvestment of infrastructure have placed greater risk for flooding in some neighborhoods. Designers can help undo some of these injustices by carefully selecting materials and incorporating flood infrastructure for buildings at a higher risk.