School Impact from Flooding: An Examination
Hey there! Let's dive into the worsening flood risks we've been seeing across the U.S., thanks to climate change. Last year was the second wettest on record for the continental U.S., and floods are causing some serious damage. The 2010s saw twice as many natural disasters causing over a billion dollars in damage compared to the previous decade.
Curious about how vulnerable schools are to such extreme weather? Ponder no more! In the graphic below, we've used hazard maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help you find out if schools in your area might be exposed to flooding.
Education in a Climate Change World
This nine-part series explores the impact of climate change on schools. We're diving into how climate change emergencies are disrupting education, exacerbating mental health problems, devastating school infrastructure, and what the COVID-19 pandemic might be a sneak peek of in a climate emergency. Plus, we're checking out how textbooks are coming up short in teaching kids about climate change, how medical schools are preparing future doctors, and how some educators are finding creative ways to help students develop the skills they'll need to protect themselves and their communities.
Severe weather doesn't just mean school closures—it also means infrastructure damage like what we've seen in coastal Louisiana. With job losses, coastal erosion, and floods, people have been forced to relocate, leading to diminishing school enrollment in some areas, and overcrowding in others. This, along with what's often called "climate migration," can strain school resources and create overcrowding.
When kids return to school after severe flooding, many struggle with lingering stress and trauma. Schools are often community hubs, offering meals, counseling, and other crucial services, so damage to them can have a significant impact on their communities. Flooding can also lead to health problems like mold and the unearthing of toxic chemicals.
"Floodwaters can bring a whole host of issues," said Perry Sheffield, an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and lead author of a study on the environmental hazards of climate change and schools.
No region of the U.S. is immune to these risks, but they don't affect everyone equally. Schools in low-income communities may be disproportionately impacted because they're often located in low-lying areas and have limited access to adaptive technology. Public awareness of flood risks is often low, which can hamper emergency preparedness efforts. So, if you find out that your school is located within or near FEMA's 100-year flood zone, it's smart to reach out to your school district and ask about their preparations for potential flooding.
This flood map visualization was made by Pete D'Amato
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For schools in low-income flood-prone areas, there are resources available to help them step up their preparation for potential flooding. These schools often invest in disaster preparedness through education, training, emergency response plans, community coordination, and resilience-building initiatives. They leverage various resources such as FEMA mitigation loans, community outreach programs, government-backed insurance schemes, and disaster preparedness support organizations to bolster their capacity to withstand and respond effectively to flooding events.
Enrichment Data:
Schools in low-income communities, particularly those located within or near FEMA's 100-year flood zone, invest time and resources into preparing for potential flooding through education, training, emergency response plans, community coordination, and resilience-building activities. They also leverage resources like FEMA mitigation loans, community outreach programs, government-backed insurance schemes, and disaster preparedness support organizations to enhance their resilience and response capabilities.
- School closures due to severe weather can lead to educational disruption, as highlighted in a nine-part series that explores the impact of climate change on schools.
- Inequality is also a concern as schools in low-income communities may be disproportionately impacted by floods due to their location in low-lying areas and limited access to adaptive technology.
- Innovation in education and self-development can help schools and communities better prepare for and respond to floods. This might involve leveraging various resources such as FEMA mitigation loans and disaster preparedness support organizations.
- The study of environmental science and climate-change within education is crucial for students to understand and address the challenges posed by these issues, particularly in an era where the risks of flooding are escalating due to climate change.
