Flood Debris Quantification and Comparison Based on the Removal and Disposal Operation: Postdisaster Study of Beaumont, Texas Following Hurricane Harvey

Abstract

Accurate forecasts and estimates of disaster debris are critical for effective debris management planning. However, detailed postdisaster waste data to validate and improve debris predictions is often unavailable. In this study, a postdisaster waste dataset collected in Beaumont, Texas, following widespread flooding from Hurricane Harvey that included debris tonnages and coordinate locations of each debris removal in residential areas was investigated. The dataset was utilized to quantify the amount of debris produced, identify the factors that influenced debris generation in different areas of the city, and compare Beaumont debris tonnages to predictive models. The study found that the type of flooding (riverine versus urban) had the highest influence on debris generation. Riverine flooded areas generated twice the debris tonnage as urban flooded areas. Elevation appeared to influence debris generation when considered with the type of flooding. FEMA’s correlation for flooded personal property was within the same magnitude of debris quantities, while other methods significantly overpredicted debris quantities (up to one order of magnitude) due to their generality. However, they can be adapted for flood-generated debris. Urban flooding is an increasingly prevalent issue following a natural hazard and generates considerable amounts of debris, but is not addressed in current disaster management plans. Estimation methods that consider urban flooding should be developed.