Creating Flood-Ready Communities: A Guide for Delaware Local Governments
Date
2016-01
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Abstract
Delaware is extremely susceptible to the dangers of flooding. It is one of
only three states whose entire population lives in coastline counties,
according to a census report. Flooding may be caused by hurricanes,
tropical storms/depressions, nor’easters, or other weather systems that
produce heavy rain. Each year, Delaware must contend with approximately
10–35 storms that cause flooding to both coastal and inland
communities. Flooding in coastal communities may be intensified by
storm surge and storm tide, which produce large waves and an abnormal
rise of water generated by a storm’s wind. Flooding of inland
areas during or after a storm may be exacerbated by poor
drainage, which is often the result of development that has
changed the landscape, altered the ability for water to infiltrate
into the soil, and/or is adjacent to high-flood-risk areas.
An article published by the Delaware Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), “Sea Level
Rise: Delaware’s Rising Tide,” describes possible impacts of
sea-level rise in the First State. It explains that Delaware is
vulnerable to coastal inundation, storm surge, saltwater
intrusion, tidal-wetland losses, nuisance flooding from high
tides, and inland flooding from extreme precipitation—all of
which will be exacerbated by the looming threats of higher
rates of sea-level rise. All Delaware communities must evaluate
risks, prepare, and implement plans to address flooding
caused by storms and extreme precipitation, seasonal high
“king” tides, and climate change—including sea-level rise.
Because Delaware is the lowest state in the nation in terms of average
sea level, many think that only coastal communities or towns along
bodies of water (rivers, ponds, lakes, inland bays, streams, and creeks)
are impacted by flooding. This is not the case. In addition to climate
change, flooding can be caused by issues associated with poor or
insufficient management of stormwater, floodplains, and/or drainage—
including an increase in impervious surfaces due to sprawling land-use
patterns and development. Flooding also impacts properties near ditches.
In Delaware there are 228 individual tax-ditch organizations, which
manage 2,000 miles of channels that provide benefits/protection to more
than 10,000 Delawareans. Therefore, flood vulnerability impacts each
jurisdiction in Delaware and heightens the need to make communities
flood-ready and resilient.