Rhode Island Critical Resources—Preliminary Flood Vulnerability Analysis

Each year, flooding causes hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses. As coastal population increases and property values rise, more losses are likely. Because of Rhode Island's small size and extensive coastal geography, the entire state is considered a coastal area. It is estimated that losses to structures and casualty insurance from a 100-year storm are more than $1 billion. With proper planning, managers can significantly reduce the amount of disaster management required and the amount of money spent when there is an event.

There are no seamless statewide facilities or infrastructure data sets in Rhode Island that officials can use for statewide hazard planning. While much of this information does exist, many of these data sets are either not in a format readily accessible with a GIS or are in differing coordinate systems. These discrepancies not only prevent them from being integrated for comprehensive planning and mitigation efforts, but they are virtually inaccessible in times of need.

This work seeks to generate not only a statewide database of critical facilities/infrastructure but also a series of regional maps showing the relationship between these critical locations and the vulnerability analysis. These maps will serve as the bridge between the localized hazard planning at the town level and the statewide mitigation efforts. In addition, the creation of a seamless statewide facilities database will be a powerful addition to the state's multihazard mitigation strategy.

The hazard loss estimation software (HAZUS-MH) developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will be used to determine the vulnerability of this newly developed, state-owned facilities database. Potential losses will be calculated for these hazards: hurricane and coastal and riverine flooding. HAZUS-MH is a nationally applicable standardized methodology and software program that contains models for estimating potential losses from earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. The software was developed by FEMA under contract with the National Institute of Building Sciences. Loss estimates produced by HAZUS-MH are based on current scientific and engineering knowledge of the effects of hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes.