How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy-in for flood control measures
September 23, 2024
For American City & County, Katherine Osborne explores the role of community involvement and advancing technology in mitigating flood risk
Floods are one of the most devastating events to strike a community—costly in terms of lives lost, damaged or destroyed homes, economic disruption, and damage to critical infrastructure. However, improvements in technology are helping local governments provide accurate assessments of flood risk, so steps can be taken to provide early and accurate warning of flood events, minimize potential losses, and improve outcomes and overall resilience after a flood occurs.
Share
-
Katherine advances innovative Digital Solutions. Her experience includes project management in watershed and river hydraulics and serving as a community engagement and risk communication lead focusing on flood risk and impacts.
Contact Katherine
{
"headline": "Related Ideas",
"link": {
"text":"View More Ideas",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/market\/water.html"
},
"newTab": false,
"uuid": "8ff6083a\u002Df1ef\u002D4661\u002Dbe91\u002Dc12b86beece9",
"themeClass": "home-related-items-2",
"tabs": [
{
"headline": "",
"active": true,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 0 - AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"link": {
"text":"AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/conference\/awwa\u002Dace\u002D2026\u002Dstantec\u002Dpresentation\u002Dschedule.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/spotlight\/001\/water\u002Dsplashing\u002Dadobestock\u002D191046137.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "AWWA ACE 2026 Conference: Stantec presentation schedule",
"overwriteSubhead": "Conference",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 1 - From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"link": {
"text":"From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2026\/from\u002Dpilot\u002Dto\u002Dpractice\u002Dderisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/derisking\u002Dwater\u002Dinnovation.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "From pilot to practice: Derisking water innovation",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 2 - Q&A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"link": {
"text":"Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2026\/qa\u002Dwhat\u002Ddoes\u002Dcoastal\u002Dresilience\u002Dlook\u002Dlike\u002Dfor\u002Dus\u002Dcommunities.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0091\/terrebonne\u002Dbasin\u002Dbarrier\u002Dislands\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Q\x26A: What does coastal resilience look like for US communities?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 3 - Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"link": {
"text":"Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/protecting\u002Dbuffalos\u002Dfreshwater\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/buffalo\u002Dsmart\u002Dsewer\u002Dwater\u002Dprogram.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Protecting Buffalo’s freshwater future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 4 - Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"link": {
"text":"Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2025\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dstarts\u002Dwith\u002Dthe\u002Dheart\u002Dof\u002Dcommunity.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0005\/reimagining\u002Dresilience\u002Dnatalie\u002Dvogt.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Reimagining resilience starts with the heart of community",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 5 - Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"link": {
"text":"Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/seeing\u002Dmore\u002Dclearly\u002Dwhere\u002Dstormwater\u002Dfloods\u002Ddenver.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/028\/denver\u002Dco\u002Dnight\u002Dadobestock\u002D516350308.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Seeing—more clearly—where stormwater floods Denver",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 6 - We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"link": {
"text":"We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/we\u002Dare\u002Dhalfwaythrough\u002D2025\u002D5\u002Dtrends\u002Dimpacting\u002Daec\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/wtp\u002Dadobestock\u002D428397714.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "We’re halfway through 2025. Here are 5 trends impacting the AEC world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 7 - Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"link": {
"text":"Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/cleaner\u002Dcoasts\u002Dturning\u002Dthe\u002Dtide\u002Don\u002Dtrash\u002Dcapture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0039\/ballona\u002Dcreek\u002Dinterceptor\u002D007\u002Dpilot\u002Dproject\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Cleaner coasts: Turning the tide on trash capture",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 8 - Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"link": {
"text":"Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/technical\/2025\/physically\u002Dbased\u002Ddimensionless\u002Dfeatures\u002Dfor\u002Dpluvial\u002Dflood\u002Dmapping\u002Dwith\u002Dmachine\u002Dlearning.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/flooded\u002Droad\u002Dadobestock\u002D1484571662.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Physically based dimensionless features for pluvial flood mapping with machine learning",
"overwriteSubhead": "Technical Paper",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 9 - A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"link": {
"text":"A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2025\/boring\u002Dnew\u002Dtechnique\u002Dfor\u002Dsewer\u002Drepair\u002Dcomes\u002Dto\u002Dsouth\u002Dside.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0050\/kawartha\u002Dlakes\u002Dsanitary\u002Dsewer\u002D99148.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "A boring new technique for sewer repair comes to the South Side",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 10 - How can communities efficiently fund flood-mitigation efforts?",
"link": {
"text":"How can communities efficiently fund flood\u002Dmitigation efforts?",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dcommunities\u002Defficiently\u002Dfund\u002Dflood\u002Dmitigation\u002Defforts.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0041\/tottenville\u002Dshoreline\u002Dprotection\u002D2.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can communities efficiently fund flood\u002Dmitigation efforts?",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 11 - How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"link": {
"text":"How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2025\/how\u002Dcan\u002Dwater\u002Dutilities\u002Dtransition\u002Dto\u002Done\u002Dwater\u002Dapproach\u002D5\u002Dpractical\u002Dsteps.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/027\/cache\u002Dle\u002Dpoudre\u002Driver\u002Dadobestock\u002D142864930.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How can water utilities transition to a One Water approach? 5 practical steps",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 12 - Finding low-impact development solutions in Edmonton",
"link": {
"text":"Finding low\u002Dimpact development solutions in Edmonton",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/finding\u002Dlow\u002Dimpact\u002Ddevelopment\u002Dsolutions\u002Dedmonton.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0009\/epcor\u002Doutfall\u002Drehabilitation\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Finding low\u002Dimpact development solutions in Edmonton",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 13 - Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI-driven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"link": {
"text":"Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/stantec\u002Dbbc\u002DStoryworks\u002Dai\u002Ddriven\u002Dflood\u002Dmodeling\u002Dimpact\u002Don\u002Dflood\u002Dprediction.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/flood\u002Dpredictor\u002Dbbc\u002Dstoryworks.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Stantec and BBC StoryWorks: AI\u002Ddriven flood modeling and its impact on flood prediction",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 14 - How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy-in for flood control measures",
"link": {
"text":"How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy\u002Din for flood control measures",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/how\u002Dto\u002Dbuild\u002Dawareness\u002Dof\u002Dflood\u002Drisk\u002Dgain\u002Dbuy\u002Din\u002Dfor\u002Dflood\u002Dcontrol\u002Dmeasures.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/flooded\u002Dstreet\u002Dadobestock\u002D536821530.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "How to build awareness of flood risk and gain buy\u002Din for flood control measures",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 15 - In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"link": {
"text":"In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/in\u002Da\u002Dchanging\u002Dworld\u002Dbetter\u002Dflood\u002Dmodeling\u002Dinforms\u002Ddesigns\u002Dthat\u002Dstand\u002Dup.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/026\/fredericton\u002Dflood\u002Dadobestock\u002D205070710.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "In a changing world, better flood modeling informs designs that stand up",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 16 - Nature-based solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"link": {
"text":"Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature\u002Dto\u002Dsolve\u002Denvironmental\u002Dchallenges.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/nbs\u002Dusing\u002Dengineering\u002Dnature.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Using engineering and nature to solve environmental challenges",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 17 - Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I/I",
"link": {
"text":"Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I\/I",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2024\/focused\u002Dinvestigation\u002Dis\u002Dgood\u002Dbut\u002Dfocused\u002Drehab\u002Dis\u002Dbetter\u002Dstrategie\u002Dfo\u002Dmanaging\u002Di\u002Di.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0004\/micromonitoring\u002D238820.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Focused investigation is good, but focused rehab is better! Strategies for managing I\/I",
"overwriteSubhead": "Webinar Recording",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 18 - Four considerations for large pump station design",
"link": {
"text":"Four considerations for large pump station design",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2024\/four\u002Dconsiderations\u002Dfor\u002Dlarge\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002Ddesign.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0003\/easterly\u002Dtunnel\u002Ddewatering\u002Dpump\u002Dstation\u002D189015.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Four considerations for large pump station design",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 19 - How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"link": {
"text":"How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2024\/how\u002Dgreen\u002Dstormwater\u002Dinfrastructure\u002Dcan\u002Dhelp\u002Dcities\u002Dmanage\u002Dintense\u002Drainfall\u002Devents.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0007\/sandy\u002Dhill\u002Dflood\u002Dcontrol\u002Dand\u002Dpark\u002Drehabilitation3.JPG",
"overwriteHeadline": "How green stormwater infrastructure can help cities manage intense rainfall events",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 20 - 3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"link": {
"text":"3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/3\u002Dsteps\u002Dto\u002Dachieve\u002Done\u002Dwater\u002Din\u002Dthe\u002Dreal\u002Dworld.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/024\/wtp\u002Dadobestock\u002D428397714.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "3 steps to achieve One Water in the real world",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 21 - Nature-based solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"link": {
"text":"Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/article\/2023\/nature\u002Dbased\u002Dsolutions\u002Dcrucial\u002Dinnovations\u002Dfor\u002Drresilient\u002Dsustainable\u002Dfuture.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/projects\/0130\/southwaite\u002Dwastewater\u002Dtreatment\u002Dworks\u002D1.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Nature\u002Dbased solutions: Crucial innovations for a resilient, sustainable future",
"overwriteSubhead": "Published Article",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 22 - Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"link": {
"text":"Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/video\/2023\/collaborating\u002Dwith\u002Dcommunities\u002Dto\u002Dcreate\u002Dstormwater\u002Dsolutions.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/video\/0003\/minneapolis\u002Dstormwater\u002Dponds.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Collaborating with communities to create stormwater solutions",
"overwriteSubhead": "Video",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
},
{
"pageExists": true,
"cardLabel": "Slide Card 23 - Savings without sacrifice: Value engineering can counter inflation on projects",
"link": {
"text":"Savings without sacrifice: Value engineering can counter inflation on projects",
"url":"\/en\/ideas\/content\/blog\/2023\/savings\u002Dwithout\u002Dsacrifice\u002Dvalue\u002Dengineering\u002Dcan\u002Dcounter\u002Dinflation\u002Don\u002Dprojects.html"
},
"promoImage": "\/content\/dam\/stantec\/images\/ideas\/blogs\/023\/interstate\u002D10\u002Dadobestock\u002D115019077.jpg",
"overwriteHeadline": "Savings without sacrifice: Value engineering can counter inflation on projects",
"overwriteSubhead": "Blog Post",
"aorLabel": "Architect",
"architectOfRecord": ""
}
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
},
{
"headline": "",
"active": false,
"tabLabel": "Slide Card",
"pages": [
]
}
]
}