Short Wave How climate change is forcing cities to rebuild stormwater systems
Feb 11, 2022
Lauren Sommer, an NPR science correspondent, dives into the crucial issue of urban stormwater systems and their vulnerabilities to climate change. As rainfall increases, many cities risk flooding due to outdated infrastructure. Sommer discusses the struggles cities face in adapting their systems, the potential for federal funding to aid improvements, and the necessity of updated data for effective stormwater management. She highlights real-life events like Hurricane Ida and Harvey, illustrating the urgent need for resilient urban planning in a rapidly changing climate.
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Outdated Stormwater Systems
- Cities design stormwater systems to handle specific rainfall amounts.
- These systems are based on past rainfall data and are now overwhelmed by increasing rainfall from climate change.
Flooding Examples
- Lauren Sommer experienced flooding in San Francisco due to overwhelmed storm drains.
- Hurricane Ida and Harvey exemplify the deadly consequences of inadequate stormwater systems.
Outdated Rainfall Records
- Cities use historical rainfall records from NOAA to design stormwater infrastructure.
- These reports are often outdated, as updates require state/local funding, leading to underestimations of current rainfall.