Brown reveals findings of flood study

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) - Students at Brown University revealed the findings Thursday of a two-month study into the lessons learned from last year's historic floods in Rhode Island.

The March and April, 2010 floods closed roads, washed out bridges, ruined cars, and soaked businesses and houses.

Now nearly a year later, Brown University's Center for Environmental Studies is reporting its answers to this question: "The March 2010 Floods: What Have We Learned?"

"One limiting factor was the lack of financial resources," reported Brown student Steph Yin Thursday. "Almost all of the funds allocated for emergency management some from the federal government. However, we can't rely on this too much because this money is subject to budget cuts."

Students interviewed a wide range of community leaders and experts as they wrestled with the causes and the long-term implications of the floods.

"Repair and recovery is still going on, it's not over," says Brown student Hilary Rosenthal. "There's a disproportionate burden on low-income and elderly neighborhoods. They have a lack of disposable money, they're living paycheck to paycheck so they can't pay for flood damage when they're trying to pay for food and other necessities."

One of the students concluded that the floods were not a natural disaster but a man-made one, because of the way man has reshaped the environment along the Pawtuxet River.

"During the 1960s and early 70s, development of structures such as an interstate highway ... and the malls and sewage treatment plant also had dramatic and long-lasting impacts on land use along the Pawtuxet River," reported Brown student Molly Bledsoe.