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Atoba K, Newman G, Sansom G. Multi-Hazard property buyouts: Making a case for the acquisition of flood and contaminant-prone residential properties in Galena Park, TX. CLIMATE RISK MANAGEMENT 2023; 41:100529. [PMID: 38312112 PMCID: PMC10836021 DOI: 10.1016/j.crm.2023.100529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
The aftermath of extreme flood events can be particularly devastating for residential communities in proximity to flood-prone petrochemical facilities, as they are likely to experience multiple impacts from a single flood event. Hazard impacts could be from flood inundation to their properties, and floodwaters carrying contaminants from nearby facilities into their homes. While property acquisition or buyouts have been effectively used as a flood mitigation strategy, current buyout selection processes only factor in flood exposure, thereby ignoring other hazards such as exposure of properties to potential chemical substance transfer. In this paper, we identify properties that are eligible for flood buyouts but are also at a high risk of contaminant transferal during extreme flood events. We apply a benefit-cost analysis methodology to assess the economic viability of buyouts and proximity metrics to prioritize buyouts of contaminant-prone properties in Galena Park, Texas. Results indicate that, in selected flood-only property acquisition scenarios, cumulative avoided flood losses exceed the cost of property acquisition. However, although with lower cost-benefit values, a selection criterion that factors a combination of flood and contaminant-prone properties as buyouts results in multiple properties being removed from harm's way. Our findings emphasize the potential economic benefits of applying a multi-hazard selection criterion in dealing with flood property buyouts, especially in socially vulnerable communities with high exposure to both flooding and contaminant transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayode Atoba
- Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas, Texas A&M University, Division of Research, 1112 TAMU, College Station, TX, 77843, United States
| | - Galen Newman
- Department of Landscape Architecture & Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College of Architecture, Langford Architecture Building 3137, College Station, TX 77840, United States
| | - Garrett Sansom
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M School of Public Health, 1266 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843, United States
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Cai Z, Newman G, Lee J, Ye X, Retcheless D, Zou L, Ham Y. Simulating the Spatial Impacts of a Coastal Barrier in Galveston Island, Texas: A Three-Dimensional Urban Modeling Approach. GEOMATICS, NATURAL HAZARDS & RISK 2023; 14:2192332. [PMID: 37200540 PMCID: PMC10187635 DOI: 10.1080/19475705.2023.2192332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Due to its vulnerability to hurricanes, Galveston Island, TX, USA, is exploring the implementation of a coastal surge barrier (also referred to as the "Ike Dike") for protection from severe flood events. This research evaluates the predicted effects that the coastal spine will have across four different storm scenarios, including a Hurricane Ike scenario and 10-year, 100-year, and 500-year storm events with and without a 2.4ft. sea level rise (SLR). To achieve this, we develop a 1:1 ratio, 3-dimensional urban model and ran real-time flood projections using ADCIRC model data with and without the coastal barrier in place. Findings show that inundated area and property damages due to flooding will both significantly decrease if the coastal spine is implemented, with a 36% decrease in the inundated area and $4 billion less in property damage across all storm scenarios, on average. When including SLR, the amount of protection of the Ike Dike diminishes due to flooding from the bay side of the island. While the Ike Dike does appear to offer substantial protection from flooding in the short term, integrating the coastal barrier with other non-structural mechanisms would facilitate more long-term protection when considering SLR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhang Cai
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
- Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 979-739-5972. (Z. Cai)
| | - Galen Newman
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Jaekyung Lee
- Department of Urban Design and Planning, Hongik University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Xinyue Ye
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - David Retcheless
- Department of Marine Science and Coastal Environmental Science, Texas A&M University, Galveston, USA
| | - Lei Zou
- Department of Geography, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
| | - Youngjib Ham
- Department of Construction Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA
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Amolegbe SM, Lopez AR, Velasco ML, Carlin DJ, Heacock ML, Henry HF, Trottier BA, Suk WA. Adapting to Climate Change: Leveraging Systems-Focused Multidisciplinary Research to Promote Resilience. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14674. [PMID: 36429393 PMCID: PMC9690097 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Approximately 2000 official and potential Superfund sites are located within 25 miles of the East or Gulf coasts, many of which will be at risk of flooding as sea levels rise. More than 60 million people across the United States live within 3 miles of a Superfund site. Disentangling multifaceted environmental health problems compounded by climate change requires a multidisciplinary systems approach to inform better strategies to prevent or reduce exposures and protect human health. The purpose of this minireview is to present the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Superfund Research Program (SRP) as a useful model of how this systems approach can help overcome the challenges of climate change while providing flexibility to pivot to additional needs as they arise. It also highlights broad-ranging SRP-funded research and tools that can be used to promote health and resilience to climate change in diverse contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara M. Amolegbe
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | | | | | - Danielle J. Carlin
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Michelle L. Heacock
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Heather F. Henry
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - Brittany A. Trottier
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
| | - William A. Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Durham, NC 27709, USA
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Prybutok S, Newman G, Atoba K, Sansom G, Tao Z. Combining Co$ting Nature and Suitability Modeling to Identify High Flood Risk Areas in Need of Nature-Based Services. LAND 2021; 10:853. [PMID: 34532079 PMCID: PMC8443209 DOI: 10.3390/land10080853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Coastal areas are often subject to the severe consequences of flooding from intense storms or hurricanes. Increases in coastal development have amplified both flooding intensity and negative impacts for coastal communities. Reductions in pervious land cover and replacement with impervious ones have reduced the amount of ecosystem services. This research examines the services provided by nature-based solutions by applying outputs from Co$ting Nature models into suitability models to quantify ecosystem services along the Texas Coast. Results show that only around 13% of the Houston-Galveston coastal area has relatively high NBS, and nearly1 4 of the area shows relatively low NBS. The majority of the areas lie in the middle, which, due to increases in development, are at particular risk for becoming areas offering low NBS in the future if not treated. Such vulnerability assessment informs future implementation strategies for NBS in coastal communities to protect people and property from flooding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Prybutok
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Galen Newman
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Kayode Atoba
- Department of Marine Biology, Texas A&M University at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77554, USA
| | - Garett Sansom
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Zhihan Tao
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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