Flood Planning and Mitigation: Lessons from South Carolina and Texas

Nick Bowman

In recent years, Southern states have been inundated by major flood events. The impacts of these events can create significant and long-term strain on states’ economies, both in terms of tangible losses and damages, as well as lost productivity. A study by the National Institute of Building Sciences found that every dollar spent on disaster mitigation saves $6 in future disaster costs. Southern states are beginning to take a more proactive approach to flood planning, pivoting from a recovery-oriented approach to one focused on resiliency and mitigation. This program highlights flood mitigation planning and policies undertaken in South Carolina and Texas.

Presentations:

Kathleen Ligon, Program Manager and Special Assistant, Texas Water Development Board Thomas Mullikin, Chair, South Carolina Floodwater Commission