Growing Safely or Building Risk?

Problem, research strategy, and findings Limiting housing infrastructure in flood-prone places has long been recognized as critical to managing long-term risk. However, due the difficulty of tracking development at small spatial scales, little empirical conducted explain differences between communities’ floodplain patterns. We analyzed new construction across 5 million parcels state North Carolina develop standardized measures evaluated relationships flood risk management effort outcomes. Statewide, for every property removed through buyouts from 1996 2017, more than 10 residences were built floodplains. At community level, indicators (participation Community Rating System use buyouts) did not consistently align with Based on a sample urban suburban counties, we found 75,000 acres vacant land currently zoned development. Although capture full range mitigation practices, results indicate that local policies often run counter efforts limit risk.Takeaway practice Land planning have potential play larger role mitigation. Modifying federal programs strongly disincentivize could enhance regulation minimize future exposure. Given extensive undeveloped projected climate change, additional manage is needed increases