This month, CNT was thrilled to provide its expertise on the topic of urban flooding and highlight its multi-partner work in Chatham and the Village of Midlothian to the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) as it explores the issue of urban flooding nationwide. 

Founded in 1863, NAS has served as a private, nonprofit organization providing leading research and guidance on issues of science and technology on a national level. The organization brings together experts from diverse fields to inform national policies on issues, including improving public health care and informing NASA's space exploration program. NAS’ distinguished membership includes Nobel Peace Prize recipients and international science advocates.

The National Academy of Sciences’ Program on Risk, Resilience, and Extreme Events is conducting a study that strives to understand the issue of urban flooding around the country, including the Chicagoland region. Named, “Urban Flooding in the US,” the study seeks to document urban flooding in the US, determine flood impacts, identify who is most vulnerable to these impacts and recommend actions to mitigate these impacts. Experts and community leaders from urban and suburban communities around the country, including Chicago, were engaged in an invitation-only workshop to discuss their urban flood concerns, and provide recommendations to NAS to inform this study. Representation at this workshop included the City of Chicago, CNT, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD), local community leaders and residents, and a host of other experts championing the topic of urban flooding.  The yearlong study will help inform NAS, the Federal Emergency Management System, and the nation about the impacts of urban flooding in the US.

As part of the study, NAS’ established an ad hoc committee which sought to conducted an in-depth exploration into CNT’s work in the communities of Chatham and the Village of Midlothian. CNT staff was interviewed about its grassroots efforts in the respective communities and asked for recommendations to address flooding in region-wide. Residents and leadership from Midlothian and Chatham, including Alderman Roderick Sawyer, 6^th Ward participated in the discussion and shared local flood stories. Other local leaders included the City of Chicago, MWRD, and Greencorps Chicago.

Findings from the yearlong study, including case studies from each community will be featured in the study. Please visit NAS’s website for additional information.