PLT14 - How recent intensified weather events have caused negative impacts to water supply systems, infrastructure, and transportation systems within the Southwestern Division (SWD) of USACE and across the country during 2024 & 2025

In this presentation, attendees will learn how intensifying weather events are affecting our nations forests, neighborhoods, watersheds, water supply infrastructure, electrical grid infrastructure, and transportation system networks. 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 the intensification of severe weather.

Details will be provided on the causes of intensifying weather events and its effects on infrastructure, water supply systems, electrical grid, and transportation networks across the US. This intensification, along with current forest management practices are contributing to major forest fires in the Western US, which have affected the water supply and city infrastructure for parts of SWD, including small towns in New Mexico and similarly affected large cities in California.

There will be a discussion of how hurricanes have destroyed electrical grids and threatened water supply reservoirs in SWD (Houston, TX area), and how these weather-intensified floods have similarly washed-out roads and highways in communities in both Western NC, Eastern TN, and Western WY.

Recommendations, and proven actions will be presented regarding prevention of ongoing erosion and sedimentation into water supply systems caused by major forest fires. Ways to prepare the electrical grid for future hurricanes in coastal areas, and emergency measures to remediate cutoff communities from transportation failure resulting from mudslides, road washouts, etc., will also be covered. Other topics such as forest health and possible ways to stem future large forest fires will be discussed as well.