America's levees leave the nation at risk

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, 80 percent of all disaster response monies in the United States are spent on flood-related emergencies each year.

Flood management and levee systems are constantly put to the test, whether under the pressure of record snowfalls melts, heavy spring rains, summer flash floods or the threats of busy hurricane seasons.  

Many of America's 100,000 miles of levees are mere piles of dirt, built without design standards, while others are compromised by erosion, animal burrows, tree growths, faulty culverts, flood wall movements and other threats. Decades of little or no investment have left many communities facing not only an intense flood season, but the prospect of flood zone remapping by FEMA that could leave many businesses and homes uninsurable within the next two years.

Now is the time to rectify funding imbalances and secure the long-term health of the U.S. flood management system. Local, state and federal authorities must work together to develop and fund a balanced, systematic approach to flood management. HNTB is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and municipalities across the country to safeguard American homes, businesses and lives from the devasting impact of another Hurricane Katrina-like flood event. 

Key questions to address

• What would a 21st century levee system look like?
• What political, financial, technical and enviornmental issues need to be considered when developing a solution?
• How do flood insurance premiums impact flood plain planning? Are reforms needed?
• Are there best practices at local and regional levels that can be applied elsewhere?
• How do we prioritize the work?