What happens when heavy rain, rising rivers, and coastal water all arrive at the same time?

In this episode of The Climate Translation, Dr. Mac explores the growing science of compound flooding: when different sources of water interact and create flooding that can be worse than any one hazard alone. Using Hurricane Harvey and Port Arthur, Texas, as a case study, he explains how elevated coastal water can interfere with drainage and leave rainfall with nowhere to go.

The episode also examines what a “100-year flood” actually means, why those historical odds are changing as the climate warms, and how infrastructure designed around individual flood hazards may struggle when several occur together.

CC0 Music from Charles Korpics - I want to Live! (Again)