Spatial Disparities in Flood Risk Exposure: A Structure-Level Analysis of Mobile Home Parks in Eastern Nebraska

Keywords:  mobile home parks; flood vulnerability; environmental justice; rural-urban disparities; disaster risk
Abstract Type: Paper Abstract

Abstract

This study examines the spatial distribution and flood risk vulnerability of mobile home parks (MHPs) across three eastern Nebraska counties—Dodge, Douglas, and Sarpy—using high-resolution building footprint data and FEMA flood maps. Our preliminary findings reveal significant disparities in flood risk exposure among urban, suburban, and rural areas, with rural MHPs facing substantially higher exposure to FEMA-designated high-risk flood zones compared to their urban and suburban counterparts. Initial analysis suggests a positive correlation between MHP growth rates and flood zone exposure, indicating that parks in higher-risk areas are experiencing greater expansion. The study identifies variations in park characteristics across different geographic contexts, including size, density, and proximity to other structures. Analysis of recent flooding events further highlights these disparities: rural MHPs experienced significant inundation while those in urban and suburban areas remained largely unaffected despite proximity to flood-prone areas. These findings suggest that MHP residents, particularly in rural areas, face disproportionate flood risks due to higher exposure and less robust flood protection measures. By employing structure-level analysis, this research provides a more granular understanding of flood vulnerability among manufactured housing communities than traditional parcel-level or census block approaches. The study underscores the need for equitable flood mitigation strategies and offers insights for policymakers, urban planners, and disaster management professionals working to enhance community resilience among vulnerable populations residing in MHPs.