Solutions for Sinking Cities on the East Coast

Sea level rise is a steadily growing crisis for vulnerable U.S. cities on the East Coast, and the more time passes, the fewer options we have to protect critical infrastructure assets for communities. 

The true measure of this emergency was put in stark figures earlier this year with a report from the researchers at Virginia Tech’s Earth Observation and Innovation Lab. Their studies showed that current rates of subsidence are exacerbating the problem, which refers to the ground either gradually or suddenly sinking due to a myriad of factors, from resource extraction and social compaction to various natural events.

There are 25.4mm in an inch, and according to their findings, up to 2.1 million people are affected by 2mm of subsidence annually, and that includes 867,000 properties. But certain cities in states like New York, Virginia, the Carolinas and Florida are “hot spots” of even greater subsidence, from more than 2mm in Norfolk and Hampton, Virginia, to more than 4mm in places like Charleston, South Carolina.

This means we have various levels of infrastructure throughout the coast with differing levels of vulnerability, continuing to increase. This puts evacuation routes, hospitals and other critical assets at risk. At WSP, we are working with these particularly vulnerable communities to help them prepare both efficiently and effectively.

When these particularly vulnerable communities experience flooding, one of the biggest challenges they face is maintaining operations. Fire and rescue, police and public works officials already have difficulties mobilizing in cities that are undergoing current levels of flooding, but what impact does greater flooding have on their missions?

That’s why we take a larger asset management look at this situation. Communities have limited funding, and they must be wise and judicious with their resources.  Often, that means choosing to spend the public’s capital on projects that have the greatest impact in their communities.

We work with our clients to assist in identifying which assets are vulnerable and which assets are critical. By finding that intersection, they can focus their dollars in areas with the greatest public good and in ways that impact people’s lives.

WSP works with many communities across the eastern seaboard to develop Future Ready® solutions for mitigating flood risk.

In North Carolina, we worked with Pender County on a resiliency study for a critical evacuation route.

For this study, WSP used complex hydraulic modeling in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Hydraulics Unit to develop concept level plans and cost estimation for raising this evacuation route, where the site was flooded for several days during Hurricane Florence in 2018. 

The firm also worked with NCDOT to apply a similar modeling approach on Interstate 40 and Highway 53 to study how they could mitigate the risk of hurricane vulnerability stages, while also minimizing the impacts to surrounding towns, such as Burgaw.

Beyond my team, experts at WSP are developing solutions that are specific to each community’s needs and means, such as:

Cloudburst Intervention Strategies in New York

Cloudburst events are high-intensity rainstorms that drop a large amount of water over a short period of time, often overwhelming the capacity of a city’s sewer system. To address this, the city is implementing a cloudburst infrastructure design project to manage extreme rainfall runoff using nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure, resilient planting and open community spaces.

WSP is working closely with the New York City Housing Authority and other stakeholders at two large facilities to align the mitigation strategies with community benefits. Furthermore, the team will help NYCHA coordinate maintenance of the cloudburst interventions to further the development of green job pathways.

The scope of services for this project includes project management, project planning, design phase services, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, resident and interagency engagement, procurement, and design services during construction.

Eastern Shore Drive Drainage Improvements Project, Virginia Beach

This project was implemented by the City of Virginia Beach to prepare the community against the threat of extreme weather. As part of the project team, WSP is providing multiple services, including hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, infrastructure improvement alternatives evaluation, preliminary through final design, preparation of construction bid documents, environmental permitting, public participation services and construction support.

Resiliency in Monroe County, Florida

WSP experts are working on numerous extreme weather resiliency projects in Florida, with some of the firm’s most recent work being conducted in Monroe County. These projects include road raising planning and stormwater assessment for sea level rise and tidal impacts in Key Largo, Islamorada, Big Coppitt Key and Big Pine Key.

Coastal communities in the east are grappling with rising flood risks and extreme weather damage due to sea level rise. Severity and increased frequency are real considerations for planning and preparation.

WSP is committed to bringing bold ideas to life that forge the path to a better tomorrow.  Now is the time to rethink the way things have always been done. And when it comes to climate change and sea level rise, our focus is in helping implement solutions that are responsible, equitable and safe.

Our dedication to sustainability and safety enables WSP to help communities thrive in the face of environmental challenges.