
Florida is a peninsula prone to tropical storms and heavy rainfall. Hurricanes cause extensive damage to lives and the economy due to stormwater and strong winds. The government and local water management agencies, such as the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD), allocate significant resources annually to protect the land and lives. This study aims to evaluate flood risks in Hialeah, a low-lying region in southeastern Florida, under various design storm events and tidal influences. Hialeah faces stormwater management challenges due to its proximity to the coast and exposure to the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, extensive development has altered natural drainage patterns, exacerbating the flooding situation. The study employed a HEC-RAS 2D model to map flood inundation and assess flood depths throughout the study area. ArcGIS was used for spatial analysis and to interpret the extent of flooding. The model incorporated existing structures to increase accuracy and was also simulated with proposed structures to understand their impact on flood mitigation. The results were compared with a previously developed flood model using CASCADE2001 to evaluate the capabilities of both models for drainage planning and to determine the more accurate approach for flood management. This research aims to provide insights that enable the implementation of necessary measures and the proposal of effective flood management structures to mitigate the risk of flooding in the region.
6000 W Osceola Pkwy
Kissimmee, FL 34746
United States