PLT14 - How recent Climate Change intensified storm events have caused negative impacts to the Nations' Water Supply systems, Large Cities' Infrastructure network, and Transportation systems in 2024 & 2025

Abstract Description: In this abstract, attendees will learn how Climate Change (Climate Variability) is affecting our Nation's' Forests, Neighborhoods, Watersheds, Water Supply infrastructure, Electric grid infrastructure, and Transportation system networks as a result of major recent disaster events. Emergency mgmt and tabletop exercises are key to resilience in maintaining a healthy eco-system, controlling brush and forest fires, and planning for major hurricanes all of which will continue to be an on-going challenge due to climate change (climate variability).

This abstract provides details on the effects and causes of climate change from recent events to respective City Infrastructure, Water supply systems, the Electric grid, and Transportation systems network across the US. This abstract illustrates how climate change is leading to increasingly severe weather, and provides details on the effects and causes of climate change (climate variability) and mgmt of forest conditions leading up to major forest fires in the Western US that have affected the water supply and city infrastructure for small towns in New Mexico and large cities in California. Also, how hurricanes have destroyed entire electric grid systems and threatened water supply reservoirs in Houston, TX and transportation systems in Asheville, NC and how these climate change intensified floods have washed out roads and highways in communities in both Western NC/Eastern TN and Western WY.

In conclusion, suggestions, recommendations, and proven actions will be presented in regards to prevent ongoing erosion and sedimentation deposition to water supply systems, ways to prepare the electrical grid for future hurricanes in coastal areas, and emergency measures to remediate cutoff communities from transportation failure as a result of mudslides, road washouts, etc. Other topics such as forest health and brush management through controlled burns as possible ways to stem future large brush and forest fires for these respective critical watershed basins will be discussed as well.