Flooding Resilience in Nebraska: An Inter-disciplinary, Mixed-methods analysis of Vulnerability and Resilience in the March 2019 Nebraska Floods

Abstract:

As natural disasters increase in frequency, magnitude, and damages caused it is critical to analyze these events to reduce community vulnerability and improve infrastructure and community resilience. This study systematically examines the March 2019 Nebraska and the Missouri River Valley floods which resulted in over $1.2 billion in damages and wide-spread, sector-spanning disruption, from some of which Nebraska has yet to recover. Using more than ten local stakeholder semi-structured interviews, to supplement survey data and information aggregated from state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations and local governing authorities, the study assesses perceptional differences of vulnerability and resiliency of the communities and the infrastructure that serves them. Perceived vulnerability and resiliency play an important role in determining how policy is implemented and how resources are distributed locally and must therefore be taken into account in improving disaster response. Further, the study examines the sources of information affected communities used to prepare for the floods, an often overlooked reason why improved hydrological modeling and forecasting techniques do not always lead to increased preparedness or reductions in community vulnerability. Findings are expected to aid more effective policy implementation.