Impact of Hurricanes and Flooding on Buried Infrastructure

Abstract

The impacts of large-scale disasters such as major hurricanes can be quite apparent after the event, but the effects on buried infrastructure are less apparent at the time of the disaster and can have long-term effects on the buried systems. This paper presents the results of a survey of water utility professionals that documented damage to the underground infrastructure in six cities after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck southern Louisiana in the fall of 2005. The results of this survey shed light on some of the long-term effects of the storms in these areas and identify lessons learned by utility personnel. These lessons have helped the region prepare for the next major disaster and provide readers with a real-world example of how large-scale disasters led to improved preparedness in the region.