- Following Wilmington’s largest flood in 200 years, researchers are searching for solutions
- Research found that historical decisions to build on the Brandywine Creek contribute to the flooding in Northeast
- As city leaders plan more development, researchers are hoping river restoration will be incorporated
It wasn’t a hurricane when it hit Delaware on Sept. 1, 2021, but Tropical Storm Ida still produced torrential rains with the heaviest rains falling on southeastern Pennsylvania. The day after the storm, residents of northeast Wilmington described the weather as “beautiful” and “sunny” when the floodwaters came.
It’s been a little more than two years since the city’s largest flood in 200 years, which led to the destruction of homes and businesses and caused long-term impacts on the lives of residents. Flooding is the most common weather hazard in Delaware, a coastal state with the lowest average elevation in the U.S., according to the Delaware Emergency Management Agency. Due to climate change, the frequency of flooding is expected to increase.