The Brandywine Conservancy has released the new Brandywine Flood Study to address flooding risks across Chester County, writes Rich Schwartzman for Chadds Ford Live.
The Brandywine Conservancy began the study in 2023 along with the Chester County Water Resource Authority and the University of Delaware Water Resource Center.
The study commenced nearly two years after severe flooding caused by Hurricane Ida in 2021, which totaled roughly $45 million in damages across Southeastern Pennsylvania and Northern Delaware. The Conservancy launched the study to investigate flood preparation and develop new flood mitigation protocol for future flooding emergencies.
The research was conducted with grants from FEMA, PEMA, and both Chester and Delaware counties. Study crews interviewed a diverse range of residents, business owners, and community members to discuss the impact of flood damage and elicit recommendations.
The study found that only 28 percent of surveyed residents held flood insurance, with 79 percent of respondents stating that flooding greatly impacted their ability to work and/or receive emergency services.
The study also found necessary structural changes that would help future flood prevention efforts, including replacing or removing existing dams and reservoirs. Additional findings suggested placing a special focus on vulnerable roadways and bridge crossings to ensure that emergency services can reach those in need in future flooding events.
Read more about the Brandywine Flood Study and the study’s proposals for reducing flood damage across Chester County in Chadds Ford Live.
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