Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Natural Resources
First Advisor
Kristine Stepenuck
Abstract
Flooding is one of the most common and damaging natural hazards experiencedglobally. Vermont has experienced multiple severe storms that evoked damaging effects of flooding throughout the state, such as inundation, landslides, road-washouts, and erosion. As the rate of the water cycle increases as an effect of climate change, Vermont will experience more frequent and more severe floods. Socially vulnerable groups more often find themselves located in areas that are at risk for flooding. Due to these risks, equitable mitigation efforts are important to implement proactively to respond to flood risk. This thesis explored the intersections between social vulnerability and flood risk for Vermont towns at large. In the first chapter natural hazards literature was reviewed to provide holistic background on social vulnerability and flood hazard. Frameworks to define flood risk and vulnerability were discussed, followed by an exploration of social vulnerability and the use of composite indices in academic and government settings. Finally, an overview of flood modeling methods, their limitations, and spatial analysis was provided. In the second chapter, Vulnerable Frontline Vermont Communities were identified through spatial analysis to inform practitioners of potential Vermont towns to promote equitable flood hazard mitigation efforts. A composite index, the Vulnerable Vermonters Index, was constructed to measure social vulnerability and reflected high social vulnerability in the Northeast region of Vermont. Flood risk was mapped given inundation extent from July 9-12th 2023 based off the Rapid Infrastructure Flooding Tool, drone imagery, and building footprints. Vulnerable Frontline Vermont Communities, towns with high social vulnerability within the flood risk extent, were identified through hot-spot analysis. Data were validated using the participatory involvement of an advisory board comprised of flood resiliency experts, and a case study focus group held in Barre City. The findings of the study can guide the spatial targeting of equitable preparation for, mitigation of, and recovery from flood hazard in Vermont. The third and final chapter is a reflection on the study findings. It articulates a roadmap for the use of these findings, including suggestions for future work.
Language
en
Number of Pages
95 p.
Recommended Citation
Grant, Samantha, "Mapping Vermont Flooding and Vulnerable Communities in Preparation for Future Events" (2025). Graduate College Dissertations and Theses. 2106.
https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/graddis/2106
Included in
Climate Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Water Resource Management Commons