Flood Risk Mapping and Vulnerability Analysis of Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Area

Nowadays, flood risk in urban areas is one of the main concerns in developed countries. The United Nations (UN) predicts that 68% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050. The rapid urbanization processes would lead to the destruction of water distribution lines, the cutting off of natural drainage streams, and the increase of impermeable surfaces. Therefore, urban areas will be more susceptible to flash floods due to the chaos in watershed systems, reduction in water infiltration and increase in surface runoff. The U.S. National Climate Reports indicate that the average annual precipitation rate of the U.S. is currently higher than the average values over the past 35 years. As the average rate of precipitation rises, city planners should consider the growing rates of urban flooding and the consequent economic losses in the United States. Herein, effective flood response planning requires a better understanding of the flood impact and exposure. As social and environmental settings of an urban area influence urban flood events differently, we need to study human and physical environments in an integrated framework. Thus, this study aims at mapping flood risk areas and assessing the vulnerability of the population in the Anniston-Oxford, Alabama metropolitan area to efficiently respond to future flood events. Keywords: Flood risk mapping, vulnerability, GIS, Anniston-Oxford, Alabama metropolitan areahttps://digitalcommons.jsu.edu/ce_jsustudentsymp_2022/1039/thumbnail.jp