University of Birmingham experts have developed a plan to assist elderly individuals at risk of flooding during storms.
In a groundbreaking study recently published in Nature Water, a team of international researchers, including experts from the University of Birmingham, has shed light on the challenges faced by emergency planners in Shanghai and New York City in safeguarding elderly citizens against the catastrophic effects of coastal flooding during storms and cyclones. The study reveals how the two cities, both highly vulnerable to storm-induced flooding, employ distinct emergency operation systems that significantly influence the evacuation process for elderly residents.
The researchers meticulously analyzed the emergency operations in Shanghai and New York City and proposed a comprehensive blueprint aimed at enhancing the efficiency of evacuations, which could serve as a model for other flood-threatened cities worldwide, such as Mumbai, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Miami, and Tokyo. One of the key recommendations put forth by the experts is the construction of more neighborhood shelters to reduce the time required to evacuate vulnerable individuals from flood-prone areas to safety.
A striking observation highlighted in the study is the disparity in travel times for evacuating elderly populations between the two cities. While the evacuation neighborhoods in New York City can be reached in less than 20 minutes, the same process in Shanghai can take up to 3-4 hours due to the inadequate provision of shelters in vulnerable areas. Professor Nigel Wright from the University of Birmingham emphasized that coastal neighborhoods on the outskirts of cities face the highest risk of storm-induced flooding, despite having limited shelter capacity, leading to a higher concentration of special needs groups, including the elderly.
The researchers underscored the importance of risk-informed and strategic evacuation planning for storm flooding, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to address the unique challenges faced by different cities. They noted that many evacuation demands may originate from offshore islands, such as Chongming island in Shanghai, where access by emergency responders is hindered, resulting in delays in reaching evacuees in a timely manner. This uneven distribution of vulnerable populations, coupled with the centralization of shelters, leaves exposed neighborhoods underserved during extreme flood events.
As coastal communities worldwide grapple with the escalating threat of storm surges and coastal flooding, exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urbanization, and population growth, the study advocates for a holistic approach to emergency management and evacuation planning. It emphasizes the necessity of incorporating climate change projections, urban development trends, and adaptation strategies into evacuation planning to address the evolving nature of coastal flood risks.
The researchers highlighted the alarming trend of increasing coastal flooding incidents globally, with events such as the catastrophes in Shanghai (1997), New Orleans (2005), New York City (2012), and Macau (2017) underscoring the vulnerability of coastal cities to storm surge flooding. The study projects a threefold rise in the population exposed to 100-year coastal floods in the 136 largest coastal cities, with economic damages expected to soar in the coming decades.
In Europe, the study warns of a significant surge in the number of people annually exposed to coastal flooding, particularly in major cities, if proactive measures are not taken to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and socioeconomic developments. The researchers stress the urgent need for coordinated efforts to enhance emergency preparedness and evacuation strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations in coastal areas.
In conclusion, the research not only provides valuable insights into the operational aspects of emergency evacuation planning but also offers a comprehensive blueprint for flood management policy development in major coastal cities globally. By addressing the specific challenges faced by elderly populations in storm-prone areas, the study aims to pave the way for more effective and inclusive evacuation strategies to mitigate the impacts of coastal flooding on vulnerable communities.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036899
The researchers meticulously analyzed the emergency operations in Shanghai and New York City and proposed a comprehensive blueprint aimed at enhancing the efficiency of evacuations, which could serve as a model for other flood-threatened cities worldwide, such as Mumbai, Bangkok, Jakarta, Ho Chi Minh City, Miami, and Tokyo. One of the key recommendations put forth by the experts is the construction of more neighborhood shelters to reduce the time required to evacuate vulnerable individuals from flood-prone areas to safety.
A striking observation highlighted in the study is the disparity in travel times for evacuating elderly populations between the two cities. While the evacuation neighborhoods in New York City can be reached in less than 20 minutes, the same process in Shanghai can take up to 3-4 hours due to the inadequate provision of shelters in vulnerable areas. Professor Nigel Wright from the University of Birmingham emphasized that coastal neighborhoods on the outskirts of cities face the highest risk of storm-induced flooding, despite having limited shelter capacity, leading to a higher concentration of special needs groups, including the elderly.
The researchers underscored the importance of risk-informed and strategic evacuation planning for storm flooding, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches to address the unique challenges faced by different cities. They noted that many evacuation demands may originate from offshore islands, such as Chongming island in Shanghai, where access by emergency responders is hindered, resulting in delays in reaching evacuees in a timely manner. This uneven distribution of vulnerable populations, coupled with the centralization of shelters, leaves exposed neighborhoods underserved during extreme flood events.
As coastal communities worldwide grapple with the escalating threat of storm surges and coastal flooding, exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urbanization, and population growth, the study advocates for a holistic approach to emergency management and evacuation planning. It emphasizes the necessity of incorporating climate change projections, urban development trends, and adaptation strategies into evacuation planning to address the evolving nature of coastal flood risks.
The researchers highlighted the alarming trend of increasing coastal flooding incidents globally, with events such as the catastrophes in Shanghai (1997), New Orleans (2005), New York City (2012), and Macau (2017) underscoring the vulnerability of coastal cities to storm surge flooding. The study projects a threefold rise in the population exposed to 100-year coastal floods in the 136 largest coastal cities, with economic damages expected to soar in the coming decades.
In Europe, the study warns of a significant surge in the number of people annually exposed to coastal flooding, particularly in major cities, if proactive measures are not taken to mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and socioeconomic developments. The researchers stress the urgent need for coordinated efforts to enhance emergency preparedness and evacuation strategies to safeguard vulnerable populations in coastal areas.
In conclusion, the research not only provides valuable insights into the operational aspects of emergency evacuation planning but also offers a comprehensive blueprint for flood management policy development in major coastal cities globally. By addressing the specific challenges faced by elderly populations in storm-prone areas, the study aims to pave the way for more effective and inclusive evacuation strategies to mitigate the impacts of coastal flooding on vulnerable communities.
Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1036899
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