Flooding is Illinois’ Most Threatening Natural Disaster. Are We Prepared?

Report: Severe Flooding in Chicago Highlights Vulnerabilities and the Need for Action

Introduction

The recent severe flooding in Chicago, particularly on the city’s West Side and nearby suburbs, has exposed the vulnerabilities and risks faced by residents due to climate change and inadequate infrastructure. This article examines the impact of the flooding on residents like Mary Buchanan and the urgent need for action to address these challenges.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The severe flooding in Chicago aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
2. SDG 13: Climate Action
3. SDG 15: Life on Land

Background

Mary Buchanan, a resident of West Garfield Park, experienced a four-day power outage following a construction project to install a check valve in her home. This project aimed to prevent future flooding in her basement, which had been severely damaged during a historic rainstorm in July 2023. The storm, one of the costliest weather events in Chicago’s history, highlighted the city’s vulnerability to flooding.

Climate Change and Flooding Risks

Experts predict that climate change will lead to wetter springs and hotter summers in Illinois, with more intense rainfall events occurring for shorter durations. This unpredictability makes it challenging to prepare for and mitigate the risks of flash flooding. Additionally, the conversion of wetlands and prairies into urban areas has reduced the natural ability of the landscape to absorb rainwater, exacerbating the problem.

Flooding Challenges in Chicago

Flooding is a significant threat in Illinois, affecting communities across the state. However, communities of color and poorer areas, particularly in Chicago and Cook County, often face the greatest risks. The city has one of the highest numbers of properties at risk of flooding in the coming decades.

Efforts to Combat Flooding

While a state task force has developed a long-range plan for flood mitigation across Illinois, Chicago lacks a unified roadmap. Multiple agencies share responsibility for flood mitigation in the city, making coordination and implementation challenging. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has developed plans for anti-flooding infrastructure on the South and West Sides but has not released them for implementation.

Chicago’s Approach to Flood Control

Chicago’s Department of Water Management is pursuing initiatives to address flood control, such as building underground storage tanks and constructing a tunnel to alleviate basement flooding. However, the city lacks a comprehensive, cross-departmental plan to prioritize spending and seek funding for flood control projects.

Impact on Residents

The severe flooding has had a devastating impact on residents like Mary Buchanan. Her basement was severely damaged, requiring extensive repairs and mold removal. The costs of repairing and preventing future flooding are a financial burden for residents like Buchanan, who are struggling to afford the necessary repairs.

Conclusion

The recent severe flooding in Chicago highlights the urgent need for action to address the city’s vulnerabilities to climate change and inadequate infrastructure. By aligning with the SDGs, particularly SDG 11, SDG 13, and SDG 15, Chicago can work towards building sustainable and resilient communities that are better prepared for future flooding events.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. No Poverty

• Target 1.5: By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
• Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

• Target 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
• Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
• Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

13. Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
• Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.

17. Partnerships for the Goals

• Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.
• Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships and civil society organizations.

Analysis

1. The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are No Poverty (SDG 1), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11), Climate Action (SDG 13), and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17).

2. Specific targets under those SDGs based on the article’s content are:
– Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters.
– Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate.
– Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
– Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
– Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

3. Indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets are:
– Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation.
– Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
– Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships and civil society organizations.

4. Table presenting the findings:

| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|——|———|————|
| 1. No Poverty | Target 1.5: Build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters. | Indicator 1.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| 6. Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.5: Implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate. | Indicator 6.5.2: Proportion of transboundary basin area with an operational arrangement for water cooperation. |
| 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations. | Indicator 11.5.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| 13. Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Indicator 13.1.1: Number of deaths, missing persons, and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population. |
| 17. Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | Indicator 17.17.1: Amount of United States dollars committed to public-private partnerships and civil society organizations. |

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Source: illinoisanswers.org

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