Skip to main content
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
Sections
  • All News
  • Arts & Culture
  • Business & Economy
  • Campus & Community
  • Health & Society
  • Media, Law & Policy
  • STEM
  • Veterans
  • University Statements
  • Syracuse University Impact
  • |
  • The Peel
  • Athletics
  • Home
  • About
  • Faculty Experts
  • For The Media
  • ’Cuse Conversations Podcast
  • Topics
    • Alumni
    • Events
    • Faculty
    • Students
    • All Topics
  • Contact
  • Submit
Media Tip Sheets

That 100-year flooding…happening now

Monday, August 23, 2021, By Lily Datz
Share

Hurricanes and higher-than-normal rainfall has flooded communities and left homes and businesses destroyed.

But many of these areas have never been considered part of the floodplain so this means more homeowners – both coastal and inland – are facing catastrophic flooding due to climate change and extreme weather conditions. These homeowners need to either take on the additional costs of flood insurance or risk losing their house due to flooding that isn’t covered by regular home insurance.

Sarah Pralle, associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, has been studying the issues around climate change, increases in flood risk, and the impact it is having in communities throughout the US.

“As flooding continues to occur, maintaining accurate flood maps and risk‐based pricing will continue to be an important task for the National Flood Insurance Program. Balancing flood hazard with equity and fairness in preparation, exposure, and recovery are now important conversations for the NFIP as the risks and costs of floods increase in the United States. As climate change intensifies flood risk, we must be alert to the equity implications of the national flood insurance program so that it does not exacerbate existing inequalities,” said Pralle.

Pralle is the author of the paper, “Drawing Lines: FEMA and the politics of mapping flood zones,” which examines the politics of mapping flood zones and the focus on costs rather than risk, equity, and fairness when it comes to flood insurance.

Her latest article (co-authored with Devin Lea), “To appeal and amend: Changes to recently updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps,” examines how official flood zones across the U.S. are altered and by whom, finding evidence that wealthier and whiter communities are more able to challenge flood maps in their communities and potentially save themselves the cost of flood insurance.

Please contact Ellen James Mbuqe, director of media relations, at ejmbuqe@syr.edu or 412-496-0551 if you would like an interview with Professor Pralle.

 

 

  • Author
  • Faculty Experts

Lily Datz

  • Sarah Pralle

  • Recent
  • Arts and Sciences Hosts Inaugural Scholarship and Research Gala
    Friday, May 9, 2025, By Sean Grogan
  • Chancellor Kent Syverud Honored as Distinguished Citizen of the Year at 57th Annual ScoutPower Event
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By News Staff
  • New Maymester Program Allows Student-Athletes to Develop ‘Democracy Playbook’
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin
  • From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Christopher Munoz
  • Kohn, Wiklund, Wilmoth Named Distinguished Professors
    Thursday, May 8, 2025, By Wendy S. Loughlin

More In Media Tip Sheets

From Policy to Practice: How AI is Shaping the Future of Education

President Trump recently signed an executive order focusing on educational opportunities surrounding artificial intelligence. Among other things, it establishes a task force to promote AI-related education and tools in the classroom. That is a major area of focus for Dr….

V-E Day: The End of WWII in Europe, 80 Years Later

This week marks the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day, when Nazi Germany formally surrendered to Allied forces on May 8, 1945, bringing an end to World War II in Europe. While it signaled the collapse of Hitler’s…

Hendricks Chapel Reflects on the Legacy of Pope Francis

If you need an expert to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis, you may want to consider Syracuse University Catholic Father Gerry Waterman, OFM Conv., or The Rev. Brian E. Konkol, Ph.D., vice president and dean of Hendricks Chapel. He…

Diving Deep Into the Fluoride Debate

Fluoride in drinking water has become a highly charged topic in recent weeks. In March, Utah became the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride to the state’s public water systems, a move praised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert…

Dire Wolves Resurrected? Bioethics Expert Questions the Reality of “De-Extinction” Amid Genetic Engineering Milestone

It’s a headline sure to grab a reader’s attention – after thousands of years of extinction, a biotechnology company claims it has brought back the dire wolf through genetic engineering. But is this milestone truly “de-extinction,” and what are some…

Subscribe to SU Today

If you need help with your subscription, contact sunews@syr.edu.

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • @SyracuseU
  • @SyracuseUNews
  • Social Media Directory
  • Accessibility
  • Privacy
  • Campus Status
  • Syracuse.edu
© 2025 Syracuse University News. All Rights Reserved.