Flooding and Civil Engineering

U.S. Air National Guard photo by Tech. Sgt. Jorge Intriago

With recent flooding along the East Coast, flood management and prevention is a priority for civil engineers more than ever. While there’s no way to know exactly how much damage a natural disaster will cause ahead of time, it’s part of our job to think ahead and have plans set in place for any situation. 

Solutions before and after a flood include a comprehensive stormwater approach and floodplain protection and recovery, along with traditional methods when needed to safely divert excess water and other storm run-off after heavy rain. With recent flooding after hurricanes hit the East Coast, flood prediction and disaster management are especially relevant ways to address the issues that come with natural disasters.

The October 2018 issue of PE Magazine features the article “Overwhelmed,” which discusses the measures officials must take for future flood prevention after Hurricane Harvey. According to the Harris County Flood Control District, 4.7 million residents of the Texas county were affected in some way by the flooding, and Hurricane Harvey stands as one of the country’s costliest weather events at $125 billion. Some structures, such as the Texas Medical Center, didn’t experience damage because of protocols, improvements, and systems implemented after Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. Even so, with the wide-reaching damage that occurred across the state, it’s important to think ahead by implementing improvements that work to minimize disaster impact before it strikes.

While location is always a consideration before starting a new project, living in a floodplain can make building in easily-flooded areas inevitable. Understanding potential risks and thinking ahead makes all the difference when it comes to the environment. Our firm offers Feasibility Studies, Environmental Impact Reports and Environmental Site Assessments to help you understand how to get started. Our team is here to provide you with the high-quality engineering services your project deserves. Contact us to get started.

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