(Washington D.C., Tuesday, September 24, 2019) – AGU has released Surging Waters: Science Empowering Communities in the Face of Flooding. This report takes the imminent issue of flooding and demonstrates how science is essential in mitigating the destructive impacts on people and property today and in the future.

Through local stories, the report highlights three types of flooding, as well as the science and scientists helping to address each: 1) flooding due to hurricanes, 2) floods in the central U.S., and 3) coastal flooding. Across the U.S., an estimated 40 million people have a 25 percent chance that their home will flood before they can pay off a 30-year mortgage. Cumulatively, these floods pose a costly, deadly problem for the U.S. No state in the country is spared from the impact of flooding.

Chris McEntee, executive director and CEO of AGU, explains more about the risk.

SOUNDBITE #1:

THE INCREASING SEVERITY OF EXTREME WEATHER AND RESULTING FLOODS DEMAND THAT WE TAKE A NEW LOOK AT THE ISSUE ON A LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL LEVEL. FLOODING IS A HEALTH AND ECONOMIC CRISIS WE CANNOT IGNORE. WE NEED SCIENTISTS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH ON FLOODING TO HELP REDUCE THE CRIPPLING CONSEQUENCES FOR OUR ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY HEALTH.

SOUNDBITE #2:

IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT SCIENCE, WITH SUPPORT FROM POLICY MAKERS, BE FULLY FUNDED TO INSPIRE READINESS AND EMPOWER COMMUNITIES TO MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE. SCIENTISTS ARE UNIQUELY SITUATED TO PUT RESEARCH INTO ACTION AND COLLABORATE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BUILD A MORE RESILIENT SOCIETY FOR US ALL.

For more information on the report and how science empowers communities, visit scienceisessential.org.