NCCOS Assessment: A Community Risk Assessment of Flooding and Heat Hazards in Baltimore, MD

This dataset includes census block group level component scores of various indices from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Community Risk Assessment of Flooding and Heat Hazards in Baltimore, MD. Indices included in this archived dataset include SoVI(R), ecosystem services valuation, structural exposure, urban heat hazard, and flood hazard. Each component score is aggregated to the block group level geography provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, intermediary raster-based datasets on stormwater flooding hazard are provided, as well as spatial data on wetlands and protected areas. This assessment uses a geospatial, indicator-driven approach to integrate data from a variety of sources related to community risk in Baltimore, MD and the surrounding 5 counties of Baltimore, Harford, Howard, Anne Arundel, and Queen Anne's. SoVI(R) was derived from Census data and applied to each block group. Stormwater flooding potential was calculated using an application of the "FIGUSED" methodology based on locally relevant datasets. This methodology incorporates seven indicators frequently used to identify areas of high flooding potential. These indicators are: "F" = flow accumulation, "I" = rainfall intensity, "G" = geology (hydrologic soil groups), "U" = land use, "S" = slope, "E" = elevation, and "D" = distance from the drainage network. For each of these indicators, a value of 1 corresponds to higher flood potential, while values closer to zero (or null) correspond to lower flood potential. The final raster dataset ranges from 0-7, and all data were resampled to a 30 meter resolution grid and also applied to each block group. A structural exposure index was calculated by aggregating each contributing indicator to the block group. An ecosystem service value index was created by averaging a total ecosystem service valuation model across each block group. Sea level rise projections and storm surge estimates from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration were calculated at the block group level. An urban heat index was derived using a combination of sensor data from Johns Hopkins University (for Baltimore City) and remotely sensed data, in conjunction with land use/land cover data, for suburban and rural areas. Both raster and block group aggregations are available. Additionally, data on wetland extent and protected areas are included in the archival package.

Coastal communities are exposed to numerous climate-related hazards, all of which are projected to increase in intensity and frequency in the coming decades. The way these hazards are experienced depends on a variety of factors that make coping with and recovering from natural hazards more difficult for some communities than others. Maryland faces growing pressure from water hazards, including storm surge, sea level rise, and stormwater. With its extensive coastline, the Chesapeake Bay makes managing floodwaters a key priority moving forward. The varied and dense populations on the Western Shore mean that the intersection of multiple vulnerabilities and climate hazards presents a high risk of cascading and compounding hazard events.

Freitag, Amy; Auerswald, Katherine; Pope, Bria; Regan, Seann; Sudol, Taryn, 2025, "NCCOS Assessment: A Community Risk Assessment of Flooding and Heat Hazards in Baltimore, MD, 2023-06-01 to 2025-09-30", https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/HZDQEF, Harvard Dataverse, V1

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