Abstract
There are few places on Earth that are not affected by flooding events. Flooding is a natural physical process, of Earth systems, however the causes, dimensions and variables differ. Since the dawn of the industrial revolution, in the 1800s, humans have been emitting appreciable amounts of green house gases into the atmosphere.Overtime, these pollutants have collected in the atmosphere and absorbed longwave radiation from the Earth, creating a phenomenon known as, “The Greenhouse Effect.”This phenomenon has resulted in a global warming trend, a change in weather patterns, more frequent and intense storms, melting ice sheets and glaciers, and a rise in global sea level.Scientists believe that with changing climates, flood events will become more common and have a greater impact on human life. The purpose of this project was to determine the county-owned parcels and properties vulnerable to flooding caused by storm surge(categories 1 through 5) and sea level rise (1ft to 3 ft above the average sea level), in the coastal county of Broward, Florida. Additionally, a road vulnerability assessment was completed to determine the roads that would be affected by flooding at various level. As climates change and the globe continues to warm, various flood types may be combined, only exacerbating the risk to human life and property.Understanding the flooding risks associated with Broward County, Florida,and educating community leaders and residents about these risks can help save lives, modify construction and zoning laws, and mitigate property damage.Humans must learn to adapt to these changes in order to ensure the survival of mankind.