Flash Floods: Coming Soon to a City Near You?

Aside from the joy, hope, sunlight, and adventure of summer 2025 came a barbaric guest: the type that shows up unexpectedly and wreaks havoc. This occurrence was not specific to the summer period; in fact, flash floods have caused immense devastation throughout the year, killing family members and loved ones and devastating ecosystems. As many countries, such as the United States, double down on fossil fuel usage, these same nations are facing flash flood crises spurred on by rising temperatures. The current president of the United States called the devastating floods ‘shocking,’ but to many individuals aware of the phenomenon, it is only a matter of time until the next one.

This summer alone, 11 deadly flash floods wreaked havoc on our world. These floods, like all climate disasters, did not discriminate based on region and occurred on the six continents humanity calls home. At least 300 individuals died due to flash flooding in Afghanistan, and 41 perished during a holiday weekend in Texas. China’s Sichuan province was also ravaged by flash floods, along with Rwanda, India, Switzerland, and Austria. In total, figures suggest close to 600 people were confirmed dead, with tens of thousands injured and millions displaced. To many, these are simply statistics; to others, these were family members, community leaders, farmers, and individuals who should have been better protected. Thus, the question is raised: why do flash floods seem more prevalent, and how can they be combated?

As the sun beats down stronger every year, the correlation is no secret: global warming is supercharging many natural disasters, and flash floods are among them. As it gets warmer, clouds hold more moisture. Specifically, for every 1 degree of warming, 7% more precipitation is held, leading to a brutal occurrence that catalyzes flash floods: cloudbursts. Cloudbursts are extreme, impromptu downpours of rain, usually involving 4 inches of rain in under an hour. Stronger heat creates larger, more dangerous storm systems. Climate change also disrupts rainfall patterns, making them more volatile and unpredictable. This localized nature makes flash floods especially destructive and gives rise to secondary disasters, such as landslides.

Realistically, sustainable solutions must be developed that both acknowledge the problem at hand and innovate adaptations to cope. Simple, country-specific adaptations are important; however, I would prefer to focus on SDG 17, Partnerships for the Goals. This calls for the collaboration of countries, the private sector, civil society, and many other stakeholders in achieving all the necessary SDGs. Flash floods, like numerous natural disasters, strip or impede the facilitation of other SDGs, such as SDGs 1, 2, and 3. Thus, Goal 17 is the perfect solution for alleviation.

In the present time, as global superpowers like the U.S. heighten cutbacks on foreign aid or Japan returns to fossil fuel dominance, it is important to understand that problems imposed by the climate crisis affect everyone, whether directly or indirectly. Flood-hit areas can lead to climate refugees, straining already-fragile systems, damaging critical infrastructure, and impacting tourism and other economic sectors. The fact of the matter is that creating a more sustainable, climate-adaptive world will not happen one country at a time; it requires partnerships. Through collaboration, the world will be prepared when disaster strikes. But this means countries need to rely on and support one another, just as many developed nations built their wealth on the backs of others.

This collaboration must also occur on a business level. Corporate liability is needed to fund sustainable development efforts. Technology transfer among countries, outside of simple trade unions, must be implemented as well. As the driving force of economies and the backbone of societies but also the primary instigators of emissions, the role of businesses cannot be understated. Society does not always recognize the vague concept of offsetting emissions via carbon credits. Real transparency is needed. The flow of money to fund efforts such as reforestation or carbon removal must be coupled with effective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), but most importantly, transparency. To prepare the world, especially the developing world and underserved members of society for the natural disasters that disproportionately affect them, we need cross-industry, cross-sector, and institutional partnerships, facilitated quickly and effectively. As former CEO of Unilever Paul Polman once put it: “Business cannot be a bystander in a system that gives it life in the first place.” This is the ultimate rectification required: to rebuild the system so that it protects life, rather than exploits it. The success of this project will determine whether ‘a city near you’ is a victim of the coming storms, or a survivor of them.