Natural Disaster Assessment, Washington, DC GGS 685 NATURAL DISASTER TEAM CHARLIE K., JESSICA M., DAVID N. Brainstorming Exercise Source: XMind Software Washington, DC: Natural Disaster History Source: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/grid/state-tribal- government https://www.fema.gov/disasters/grid/state-tribal- government Natural Hazards Source: Source: Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Electricity Delivery & Energy Reliability (OE) Electric, Petroleum, Natural Gas Digital Communications Infrastructure -Fiber Optic Infrastructure -Data Centers -Wireless communications infrastructure Floods Short term flooding events: usually second order problem following a primary disaster event, such as heavy thunderstorms, hurricanes, snowfall, or other precipitation Long term floods caused by global sea level rise due to climate change D.C. is susceptible to both Short-Term Flooding Source: Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin D.C. is at the confluence of two large rivers, the Potomac and the Anacostia, and one smaller river, Rock Creek Short-Term Flooding Source: USGS Anacostia and Rock Creek Water Quality Monitoring Project Surface runoff from over 14,000 square miles flows through D.C. For every inch of rain that falls over the watershed, 243,299,840,000 cubic feet of water moves through it. Long Term Flooding Long term, permanent flooding caused by increases in sea level rise will affect Washington D.C. Exact amounts of sea level rise are difficult to predict due to variations in: Forecasting Methods Climate Models Carbon Dioxide Emission Amounts Long Term Flooding Source: Surging Seas (climatechange.org) Risk of inundation due to sea level rise less than short term flooding events Most of the risk is in unpopulated areas along the Potomac and Anacostia riverbanks Long Term Flooding Source: Surging Seas (climatechange.org) Less than 1,000 people live in areas that would be effected by 4 foot flood events Long Term Flooding Source: Surging Seas (climatechange.org) Very little infrastructure, critical or otherwise, would be affected Snow and Ice in Washington, D.C. Washington is between two regional climate zones: -To the east, the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf Stream -To the west, the Blue Ridge and Appalachian mountains Makes for difficult forecasting -Slight variation in temperature or moisture has very different results Overall winters are mild, but snow fall is irregular enough that each event is a new adventure The biggest snows/blizzards are almost always caused by a noreaster - Feeds on moisture and heat from the warm Gulf Stream Source: Washington Posts Capital Weather Gang Notable storms: Feb. 5-6, Snowmaggedon, 18 to 32 inches Jan. 6-8, Blizzard of 1996, 17 to 25 inches Feb , Presidents Day snowstorm, 16 to 26 inches Blizzard of 2016, Snowzilla. View from NASAs Landsat 8. The second of three major snowfalls that comprised Snowmaggedon. View from NASA Terra. Preparedness The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Department of Public Works (DPW) responsible for: - 2,295 lane miles, bridges, overpasses and ramps -330 pieces of equipment and 750 personnel available The region has a dense and fluctuating population -Residents have varying exposure/experience to snowy conditions Snow Emergency Route Map Source: DDOT Questions or comments?