Assessing flood risk to critical infrastructure of Ohio Valley inland airports

This paper uses a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Flood Simulation Analysis in ESRI ArcGIS Pro (Version 3.4) to evaluate flood vulnerability of seven inland airports in the Ohio River Valley under two extreme precipitation scenarios: a short-duration flash flood (10 inches over 5 hours) and a longer duration regional event (16 inches over 24 hours).  Recent increases in the frequency and intensity of heavy rainfall events have contributed to growing disruption risks for infrastructure, including airports and airport operations.

Research findings show that all airports studied exhibit varying degrees of vulnerability, with smaller and lower-lying airports generally experiencing greater surface water accumulation on operational surfaces. Identification of areas that are prone to flooding can allow an airport to develop appropriate mitigation plans. In some cases, the mitigation plan may include development projects such as drainage facilities, detention facilities, and retention facilities to reduce the severity and/or impact of flooding.