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Modeling and Mapping Flood Hazard with a Flood Risk Assessment Tool: A Case Study of Austin, Texas
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- 1 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- 2 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- 3 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- 4 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
- 5 Ingram School of Engineering, Texas State University, San Marcos, TX, USA
Journal of Geographic Information System·Volume 14 (2022)·Pages 332–346·Published 29 July 2022·DOI10.4236/jgis.2022.144018
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Abstract
As a hazard, flood is an extremely important indicator of how a city is resilient to waterborne diseases and epidemics. Over many decades, flood as a hazard has been a major factor in inducing displacement of marginalized section of the people. Austin city within Central Texas has been identified as one of the major hotspots for flooding in recent decades. Thus, the objectives of the paper are two folded: 1) Empirically, we analyzed and mapped out the susceptibility levels from the factors of physical environments to assess the risk of urban flooding (rainfall data, surface water bodies and topography); in Austin, Texas and 2) Methodologically, we created a re-useable ArcGIS scripting tool that can be used by researchers to automate the process of flood risk modelling with certain criteria. The paper showcases a novel time sensitive building of a tool which will enable better visibility of flood within the city of Austin.
KeywordsMappingTexasFlood RiskSusceptibilityVulnerabilityGISArcPy
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