Levees
| A 90–100% Exceptional |
| B 80–89% Good |
| C 70–79% Mediocre |
| D 51–69% Poor |
| F 50% or lower Deteriorating |
| A | 90–100% | Exceptional |
| B | 80–89% | Good |
| C | 70–79% | Mediocre |
| D | 51–69% | Poor |
| F | 50% or lower | Deteriorating |
| A 90–100% Exceptional |
B 80–89% Good |
C 70–79% Mediocre |
D 51–69% Poor |
F 50% or lower Deteriorating |
Pennsylvania has historically been one of the most flood-prone states in the nation, having experienced billions of dollars in flood damages since the 1930s. Over the last 100 years, 4,523 deaths have been attributed to levee failures nationwide. Levee systems are aging and deteriorating over time, with many of the systems approaching their anticipated lifespan, and many have exceeded their anticipated lifespan. The advanced age of the state's levee systems casts doubt on their ability to perform without incident or failure in an extreme flood event. The potential for the increasing frequency of flooding due to climate change results in an overall increase in the risk of flooding due to levee overtopping or failure. The grade of C- is a balance of, on the one hand, the benefit of the Commonwealth effectively operating one of the few state-level comprehensive flood protection programs in the nation, and, on the other hand, the advanced age of the levee systems, the population at risk, the ongoing struggle to obtain funds for the repair and maintenance, and the often under-appreciated threat to public safety resulting from catastrophic levee failure.
Read the full report (PDF) Read about contributors to this report.