The exposure of vulnerable coastal populations to flood-induced Natech events in Hampton Roads, Virginia

Coastal flooding is increasing with rising sea levels, resulting in cascading impacts on ecological and human systems. Flood events that trigger technological emergencies causing the inundation and dispersion of hazardous materials are known as Natech disasters. However, current research on the cascading impacts of Natech disasters is limited. Hampton Roads, Virginia, is experiencing accelerated sea level rise and a proportionally higher risk of storm surge, potentially leading to a greater risk of Natech disasters. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of Natech events on surrounding communities in Hampton Roads. This study uses geospatial analysis to identify the current (2021) and future (2051) threats of a flood-induced Natech disaster to assess the impact on coastal populations and ecosystems. The flood risks were determined using a 100-year flood plain and an intermediate climate projection. The risk of a Natech disaster was identified by combining the flood risk with proximity to Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) facilities and Superfund sites. The findings reveal that block groups with higher proportions of African American residents, people in poverty, and those without a vehicle experience a significantly higher risk of exposure to a Natech disaster than those living further away from the TRI and Superfund facilities. Open water and wetland environments will also experience significant exposure to Natech events. This study suggests a need for proactive policy and programmatic interventions to minimize the potential impacts of Natech events on the surrounding communities.