History, causes, and trend of floods in the U.S.: a review

Ruth Abegaz (), Fei Wang () and Jun Xu ()
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Ruth Abegaz: Tarleton State University
Fei Wang: Mississippi State University
Jun Xu: Tarleton State University

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2024, vol. 120, issue 15, No 3, 13715-13755

Abstract: Abstract The environment holds both valuable resources and potential dangers, with natural disasters, particularly floods, standing out prominently as a major threat to the society. Floods are a recurring natural phenomenon that has caused widespread destruction and human and economic loss. The U.S. has witnessed significant damages caused by flooding, contributing approximately 7.4% of the total economic losses attributed to natural disasters. This literature review investigates several aspects of floods in the U.S.: (1) The exploration of flood history unfolds a narrative of recurrent floods, highlighting significant events, their societal impacts, and the evolution of flood management strategies over time. (2) Causes triggering floods in the U.S. are scrutinized, emphasizing the influence of weather events such as heavy rainfall, snowmelt, and storms, which are connected with climate change, alongside the impact of anthropogenic factors like urbanization, deforestation, and inadequate infrastructures. (3) Previous studies discussed the future of flooding and agreed that climate change is increasing the risk of flooding in the U.S. (4) This review also synthesizes current trends, acknowledging the efforts in the ongoing research on flooding as well as suggesting the research and knowledge gaps that need in-depth investigations.

Keywords: Flood; History and trend; Causes; Economic impact; Climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-024-06791-y

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