As flooding becomes more frequent and severe across the Mid-Atlantic, Drexel engineers are helping communities better understand their risks and how to respond. Through two recent efforts, researchers are shedding light on both the science of flood modeling and the messaging that shapes public awareness.
In one project, Franco Montalto, PhD, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering, and his team are working with the White Clay Creek Watershed Association to model how future floods might play out across a 107-square-mile region spanning Pennsylvania and Delaware. The simulations account for development patterns, rainfall intensity, and land use, helping local governments prioritize green infrastructure and climate resilience.
“These are not one-size-fits-all problems,” Montalto said. “We’re building tools that reflect the specific risks and decisions each community faces.”
Montalto, who also co-leads Drexel’s contributions to Philadelphia’s regional Climate Resilience Research Agenda, sees this work as a model for scaling locally informed adaptation strategies. Rather than relying on generic floodplain maps, the goal is to give municipalities a clearer picture of which neighborhoods, roads, or stormwater systems are most vulnerable—and which interventions will matter most.
Meanwhile, Patrick Gurian, PhD, also an environmental engineering professor, has been studying how coastal communities in New Jersey communicate about these risks. His team analyzed the websites of 24 municipalities facing sea level rise and found wide variation in how much they say, what kinds of projects they promote, and how directly they acknowledge climate change.
Many towns emphasized public infrastructure upgrades such as road and stormwater improvements. But few mentioned more permanent and politically sensitive measures like managed retreat. Fewer still acknowledged climate change as a root cause of their flooding challenges.
“Each community approaches this differently, often depending on its flood risk and past experiences,” Gurian said.
The studies point to a broader takeaway: how communities assess and discuss risk can influence which solutions move forward. Drexel’s research is helping to fill critical gaps—between data and decision-making, and between planning and public trust.
