Hurricane Helene devastated countless areas across the country, amassing a death toll of over 130 people. As millions cope without power and water, aging infrastructure has become a hot topic among experts.
According to Manoochehr Shirzaei, associate professor of geophysics at Virginia Tech, “The tragic flood event in the southeast U.S. is a poignant example of the confluence of multiple factors, including development in floodplains, inadequate infrastructure maintenance and management, and the specter of climate change, whose compounding effect can amplify the disaster.”
As the global climate crisis worsens, unpredictable, extreme, and unprecedented weather events increase. Hurricanes are not the only natural disasters that can impact infrastructures—heat waves and wildfires pose similar risks.
However, U.S. infrastructures were not designed to withstand these conditions at such high frequencies. Engineers build structures like dams, bridges, and electrical grids based on older rainfall records, meaning even newer constructions are ill-equipped for modern conditions. Moreover, impervious surfaces (e.g., pavement, buildings) prevent excess water from soaking the ground, compounding the risk of flooding.
Additionally, while underground systems (e.g., pipelines, tunnels, culverts) are crucial, regular maintenance is costly and difficult. These setups are highly susceptible to hurricanes and storms because of “inundation, water pressure, and environmental stresses.” Essentially, poor upkeep of buried infrastructures allows for corrosion and blockages that contribute to flooding and contaminated drinking water.
Consequently, as seen with Helene, massive amounts of precipitation can wipe out resources for entire communities. New technologies and design metrics must be developed to limit the magnitude of destruction, particularly in water management and flood mitigation.
Currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is in the process of updating outdated rainfall records and adjusting data according to recent environmental projections. These revisions can help engineers create weather-resistant and sustainable infrastructures.
Additionally, smaller initiatives, like the North Carolina Flood Resiliency Blueprint, are exploring flood projects with advanced computer modeling software to limit potential damage from excessive rainfall.
While these tasks may seem trivial in the aftermath of Helene, every action counts when working to create a safer, stronger tomorrow.
