The Risk of Airports & Flooding
Airports pose a unique position when it comes to the floodplain. They are extremely flat and generally close to sea level. Airports are at extreme risk of flooding due to these two factors. While this can impede travel (which is annoying in and of itself), depending on the airport's location, it can also impede the transportation of goods from in and out of the United States. Let’s take a look at 13 of the nations 47 largest airports to get a grasp on the scale of this issue. What Types of Storms Are Affecting Airports? While it is easy to assume that the sea level rise will gradually breach the defenses around each airport - making that the biggest threat. But, in fact, during the next several decades, scientists are saying that sea level rise will be more of an enabler of storm-surge flooding. This will make it easier for even minor storms to produce damaging flooding and surges. Which means that when a strong storm hits, the threat is multiplied. These storms will likel...