Against the Rising Tide: Comparing Flood Management Practices in the United States and the Netherlands

Abstract

In the coming century, climate change has the potential to significantly increase the risk of floods around the world. Delta regions, low lying coastal areas near the mouth of a large river, are at increased risk because of their position near large amounts of water. However, many of these areas have become economic and population hubs, including New Orleans in the United States and Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Thus, flood protection measures are necessary to protect these cities. The recent history of flooding in New Orleans and Rotterdam is compared, and used to explain the two suites of national and local policies that today protect the cities. While the United States spends more on disaster relief and flood insurance, the Netherlands has more successfully kept water out using infrastructure, especially dikes. However, differences between these countries are not as big as they are widely made out to be. Possible explanations, as well as policy implications, are discussed.