Water, Water, Everywhere

The Boston Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) recently released an analysis of locations that were impacted by severe flooding in March 2010, storms that resulted in several counties being designated as Federal Disaster Zones. The report shows that 96% of the FEMA disaster claims from the Greater Boston area were outside of FEMA flood zones.The Boston Globe analyzed the report and interviewed people impacted by the 2010 storm. People interviewed said that they were unprepared for the flooding and lost personal effects and mechanical systems in their basements from the groundwater seepage during the heavy rain.From 1971 to 2000, Massachusetts had an average of 7 days per year of “heavy rain” (meaning one inch or more) and by 2050, that annual average is expected to rise to 15-17 days. Despite being a state that borders the Atlantic Ocean, one of the biggest risks in the state is inland, where lakes, ponds, rivers and streams as well as under-capacitied stormwater systems, overflow and inundate roads and homes.Some indicators in the report that might predict a location that is at-risk for flooding (for properties that don’t lie within acknowledged flood zones) are being built between 1940 and 1980, flat elevations with sandy soils, and being near bodies of water or wetlands. Much of Boston is built on wetlands, so that’s bad news for the state’s capital.The MAPC analysis recommends that MA adopts regulations that require a property’s flood history be disclosed to potential buyers.