A Future Flood Research Agenda for the United States

Abstract

Flooding remains a major unresolved problem in the United States with losses mounting after 60 years of largely structural efforts to mitigate loss. Hence, a major 2-year assessment of research needs to more effectively address flood mitigation was conducted within the context of our national shift to new federalism, the National Flood Insurance Program, the shift of emphases from structural to nonstructural approaches for flood mitigation, and the evolution in national programs of emergency assistance where flooding is but one of many hazards treated. Recommendations for research centered around six general themes: 1) more attention to socio-economic-political research; 2) the program should have a goal of efficient use of flood-prone lands, not loss reduction; 3) interdisciplinary research is essential with 70% of all 115 recommended tasks being multi-disciplinary; 4) the need to develop comprehensive data banks and flood information centers; 5) future research needs to be oriented to user needs; and 6) there is a need for continuing re-assessment of flood research every 3 years.