One extreme weather event can exacerbate the risk of others, a phenomenon referred to as cascading disasters. This was the premise of a recent article published by The Pew Charitable Trusts, exploring the interrelatedness of different disaster types, such as wildfires and flooding. Their conclusion: an increased risk of one natural disaster can magnify the probability of other natural catastrophes following in succession.
Take, for instance, the connection between wildfires and flooding—landscapes that have been charred by wildfires are more susceptible to flooding. Wildfires intensify the risk of floods in two ways:
- by causing a loss of vegetation, such as grasses and trees, which typically absorb water through their roots and canopies; and
- by changing the physical properties of the soil to be less absorbent.
Burned soils can develop a waxy surface that repels water, also known as hydrophobic soils. Hydrophobic soils result in a larger volume of runoff and allow water to travel more quickly, creating an increased risk of flash flooding. The risk of flooding in the area remains heightened until vegetation is restored, a process that can take as long as five years, according to FEMA.
This is exactly what happened to the landlocked town of Ruidoso, New Mexico earlier this year. June wildfires scorched the area and created a condition in which typical summer rainfall morphed into flash floods. The supercharging of normal rainstorms caused eight flash floods to occur in the four-week period between June 21 to July 21, 2024. Ruidoso is not alone.
Flooding is nearly a daily occurrence throughout the US, a Pew analysis of NOAA data found, and has historically occurred in landlocked areas nearly as often as in coastal areas. The danger and damage of these events is further amplified by the increased likelihood of landslides that follow.
Along with the growing frequency and severity of extreme weather events, design professionals must also contend with the interconnectedness of natural disasters and the possibility of multiple events occurring in succession when integrating climate science into building practice for the creation of safer and more resilient structures.
Design professionals play a vital role in future proofing our environment against changing climate conditions, and at Victor, we’re here to help. Policyholders can access our numerous resources exploring the evolving standard of care and legal precedents shaping liability exposures for design professionals in the climate change context, including our in-depth report, Navigating the climate change challenge: An evolving standard of care for design firms.