A new report from First Street Foundations points to Climate Abandonment Areas as an increasing strategy for more severe and frequent flooding.
A new report from First Street Foundation points to an increase in Climate Abandonment Areas (CBAs) as an adaptive response to a greater likelihood of flooding. The report defines CBAs as areas that are, “losing population over time and had high risks of flooding above the ‘tipping point’ identified in the historical model.” 12 of Maryland’s 24 counties were identified as having CBAs, the majority of which were located within the greater Washington D.C. area and all of Southern Maryland.
One of the most important findings was that climate-related flooding is largely a house-to-house issue. While certain jurisdictions may for the most part remain habitable, large segments within them may not. Nationally roughly 17 million people live in CBAs and these regions are continuing to see populations decline. A toubling data point though is that roughly 98 million people live in areas which are at risk of becoming CBAs, and these regions are seeing populations increase.
There are several considerable concerns for counties if there is a rise in the number of CBAs. Counties will likely see large shifts in populations as residents move to safer ground, vulnerable populations being left behind and requiring additional services, severe decreases in home values and revenues , and massive demand for expensive buyout programs to mitigate the impacts to residents losing their homes. The report from First Street Foundation raises some red flags that local leaders should start planning for.
