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Environment

Why Flood Victims Blame Their City, Not the Climate

Cities may struggle to gain support for climate action plans because they haven’t dealt with infrastructure issues that regularly afflict residents.
In July, Detroit River and canal water pouring over and through seawalls flooded streets, homes, and basements on Detroit's east side. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said three months of abnormally wet weather kept stream flows into the Great Lakes well above average.
In July, Detroit River and canal water pouring over and through seawalls flooded streets, homes, and basements on Detroit's east side. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers said three months of abnormally wet weather kept stream flows into the Great Lakes well above average.Corey Williams/AP
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The city of Detroit is pouring millions into the Jefferson Chalmers neighborhood on the city’s east side, to bring in affordable housing, a new grocery store, and enhancements to waterfront parks. It also plans to build out rain gardens and solar arrays.

But all of that was of little concern when residents’ basements flooded for the umpteenth time this summer, which people chalked up to the city’s faulty drainage-system maintenance and misguided priorities.