Flooding is a major danger — treat it as a US national security threat

Flooding is not a terrorist organization, a rival economic superpower or a shadowy network of hackers — things we usually think of as national security threats. It’s a natural disaster, one which has the power to kill thousands of U.S. citizens and devastate the nation’s economy through the destruction of major metropolitan areas.  

Since the beginning of time, floods have carved valleys, reshaped coastlines and upended human life. They remain one of nature’s most relentless and transformative forces and it’s time we take that threat seriously, especially with the increasing frequency and severity of storms in recent years. 

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, floods are the No.1 natural disaster in the United States. The Senate Joint Economic Committee estimates that floods cost the U.S. economy between $179.8 and $496 billion each year — more than 1 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. 

One need only look at recent history for some of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Most of them are due to flooding, especially from hurricane storm surges: 

• Hurricane Katrina (2005): Cost $201.3 billion; 1,833 lives lost

• Hurricane Harvey (2017): Cost: $160 billion; 89 lives lost

• Hurricane Ian (2022): Cost: $119.6 billion; 152 lives lost

• Hurricane Maria (2017): Cost: $115.2 billion; 2,981 lives lost

• Superstorm Sandy (2012): Cost: $88.5 billion; 159 lives lost

What is particularly troubling is that most of these disasters have occurred since the turn of the century. 

Unfortunately, flooding has become enmeshed in the political tug-of-war. All the while, efforts to protect our nation’s critical infrastructure and the economic viability of many of our major metropolitan areas that are prone to flooding remain at risk.  

Regardless of the reason for the increase in the frequency and severity of storms that cause flooding, the destruction of its deadly force marches on practically unabated.  

Modern flood mitigation systems, such as flood barriers, are professionally engineered and tested to withstand the forces of flooding. Portable flood barriers can be rapidly deployed to protect key points of entry to a facility. They can even be passive, meaning that they are automatically deployed as flood waters approach without the need for human intervention or power. 

These systems are being deployed at major medical centers, airports, schools and universities, businesses and even river towns and coastal cities. They have proven to be effective, saving millions of dollars in damages and keeping businesses and critical infrastructure in operation during and following floods. 

According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, public-sector investment in mitigation since 1995 cost the country $27 billion but will ultimately save $160 billion, saving $6 for every $1 invested.   

We have the means to protect our nation’s economic centers, critical infrastructure and military bases, but there is no federal call to action to address the problem in a systemic way. 

Formally recognizing flooding as a national security threat would help set in motion concrete planning to help protect our nation’s vital defense assets — for example, developing a multi-year plan to secure our military bases from flooding using federal funding earmarked for that purpose. 

As a nation, we cannot afford to continue the practice of rebuilding critical infrastructure, using federal funds, with little regard for future flooding. This has thrust us into a continuous cycle of devastating loss and multimillion-dollar taxpayer-funded recovery. The question isn’t whether our nation can afford to invest in flood mitigation, it’s whether we can afford not to prioritize flood mitigation.  

Identifying flooding as a national security threat is the first step. Without such a federal call to action, we are destined to continue the current cycle of economy-draining disaster and recovery in which our nation is currently entrenched.  

Tom Little is president and CEO of Floodproofing.com and a certified floodplain manager.