Framework for Measuring Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resiliency of Communities during a Flood Disaster: Fid-Bau Portal

Framework for Measuring Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resiliency of Communities during a Flood Disaster

Deria, Anisha / Ghannad, Pedram / Lee, Yong-Cheol

Understanding availability and accessibility of critical infrastructure systems during the pre-disaster phase and evaluating the impact of their possible disruption during the disaster phase are crucial for measuring the vulnerability and resiliency of communities. This study proposes a new quantitative framework for flood risk assessment that helps understand the existing disaster risk and proactively mitigate the impact of infrastructure disruption on communities by systematically analyzing: (1) reliability of a transportation network and (2) vulnerability of residents and critical facilities. The methodology addresses the following infrastructure systems categorized as: (1) distribution-based and (2) facility-based systems. This study has modeled the dependency of the facility-based category on the transportation network and developed a general framework that measures the deficiency in pre-disaster phase and possible disruptions during the disaster response phase. For a cast study, this framework was applied to evaluate the vulnerability and resiliency of emergency facilities in the East Baton Rouge. It was concluded that a detailed analysis of both pre-existing conditions and during disaster conditions along with social vulnerability provide a more realistic insight and more accurate benchmark of vulnerability and resiliency of communities pertaining to infrastructure systems. This framework is expected to improve hazard mitigation and decision-making processes in investments and prioritization of infrastructure improvement projects.