Flooding in the Waitomo District earlier in October. Photo: Photo supplied by Waitomo District Council
New national flood data maps the properties and infrastructure at risk from flooding now - and as the climate changes. The Earth Sciences tool, which also puts a dollar value on the property at risk, is part of raft of new reporting that will increasingly affect where we can and can't build - as well as insurance.
The data says 15 percent of New Zealand - some 750,000 people - are already at risk from major rainfall or river flooding events with this number rising to 900,000 people at 3°C of atmospheric warming. The data also includes the number and value of buildings exposed, crucial infrastructure like roads and pipes, that are at risk. $235bn of buildings are exposed currently, rising to $288bn with an additional 3°C of warming.
Kathryn discusses with Dr Emily Lane, Earth Sciences Principal Scientist - Natural Hazards and Hydrodynamics who led the five-year project and RNZ's climate correspondent Kate Newton.
