Decentralized stormwater management strategies, including rain barrels, water-efficient fixtures, and greywater reuse, can reduce combined sewer overflows and surface flooding by 11-13%, according to new research from Drexel University published in the journal Urban Climate.

Researchers from Drexel's College of Engineering modeled stormwater movement in Cramer Hill, a Camden, N.J., neighborhood located in the state's coastal hazard zone. The neighborhood is highly susceptible to tidal and storm-surge flooding and sits within a combined sewer system, where stormwater and sewage share the same treatment infrastructure. During extreme precipitation events, that type of system can discharge untreated sewage into nearby waterways when overwhelmed.

The study is among the first to model combinations of decentralized strategies and establish a baseline for incorporating their effects into stormwater models used by municipalities and urban planners.

"This marks one of the first pieces of research to extensively model combinations of decentralized stormwater management strategies," said lead researcher Amanda Carneiro Marques, PhD, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering.

The team structured its model to measure the distinct effects of outdoor strategies, such as cisterns and rain barrels, and indoor strategies, including water-efficient fixtures and reusing sink water for toilet flushing. Researchers simulated 16 different combinations of these strategies using precipitation and tidal data from 2014 as a baseline, measuring flooding at locations across the neighborhood and at five stormwater outfall areas that drain into the Delaware River.

Results showed that retrofitting homes with water-efficient fixtures, installing rain barrels, and practicing greywater reuse, when adopted by 75% of households, reduced combined sewer overflow volume by up to 11% and floodwater volume by up to 13%.

To test how well these strategies hold up under future climate conditions, the team adjusted the model to account for precipitation increases of 10%, 20%, and 30%, as well as sea-level rises of 30 centimeters, 90 centimeters, and 1.8 meters. Both conditions increased sewer overflow and surface flooding. However, the decentralized strategies continued to reduce those increased volumes by 11 to 13%, suggesting they remain effective under more severe conditions.

Higher sea levels, the researchers noted, create backpressure on sewer systems that prevents regular drainage and compounds surface flooding, in addition to the effects of increased rainfall.

Philadelphia and Camden together report approximately 16 billion gallons of combined sewer overflow annually, according to their respective water utilities. Both cities are among the older coastal urban areas the researchers identify as particularly vulnerable due to their proximity to large bodies of water and their aging infrastructure.

The research was supported by the Consortium for Climate Risks in the Urban Northeast. In addition to Marques, contributing researchers included Fernanda Cruz Rios, PhD; Meghna Rajbhandari; Katelyn Singh; Franco Montalto, PhD; and Ahmad Haseeb Payab, PhD.

More than 32.2 million homes across 20 states face moderate or greater risk from hurricane winds, representing over $12.26 trillion in reconstruction cost value, according to Cotality's 2026 Hurricane Risk Report.

Storm surge, while limited to coastal and low-lying areas, threatens an additional 6 million homes nationwide, accounting for $2.1 trillion in risk.

Florida and New York Lead Exposure

Florida holds the highest hurricane risk of any state. Approximately 8.25 million homes face wind damage risk, while 2.47 million face storm surge risk. Storm surge exposure in Florida represents $747.6 billion in RCV, more than three times the exposure of Louisiana, the second most at-risk state. Texas ranks second for wind risk with 4.76 million homes exposed, followed by North Carolina.

Despite lower hurricane frequency, the New York metropolitan area ranks first nationally for total homes at risk for both storm surge and wind. The region contains 631,619 homes at storm surge risk, representing $329 billion in RCV, along with 3.27 million homes exposed to wind, accounting for $1.93 trillion in RCV.

Flood Zone Classifications Leave Gaps

Traditional binary flood zone designations do not capture the full scope of exposure. Cotality data shows that more than $405.5 billion in residential property sits in areas where flood insurance is not mandatory, yet the data identifies those properties as being at high risk for hurricane-driven flooding. That translates to more than 927,000 individual properties whose owners may not have an accurate picture of their risk.

The expected annual loss for those properties totals roughly $1.73 billion. Storm surge accounts for approximately 63% of that figure, while rainfall-induced flooding drives the remaining 37%.

The five most exposed counties are Orleans Parish, La. ($41.8 billion); Jefferson Parish, La. ($28.6 billion); Brevard County, Fla. ($18.2 billion); Harris County, Texas ($13.3 billion); and Suffolk County, N.Y. ($10.6 billion).

Elevation Data Reveals Structural Vulnerability

First-floor elevation relative to base flood elevation is a key factor in assessing flood risk. Only 38.2% of homes in coastal flood zones sit above the 100-year base flood elevation, meaning 61.8% of coastal residences fall below that threshold. Inland properties fare somewhat better, but 39.6% of structures in high-risk inland flood zones still sit below base flood elevation, representing nearly 1.69 million homes.

"When homeowners underestimate risk, they're less likely to invest in resilience," said Cotality Chief Scientist Howard Botts. "That's a serious problem in places where codes haven't caught up to environmental realities."

Mitigation Delays Drive Up Costs

Post-storm response timing significantly affects total restoration costs. Waiting seven days to begin mitigation raises the total cost by at least 53% and can more than double it. A 21-day delay increases net costs by 155% to 290%. Remediation costs alone rise by 100% to 200% by day 21, driven by mold growth and structural rot. Contractor demand inflation adds an additional 20% to 30% premium within that same window.

Prudential Individual Life Insurance has introduced Just Ask, an AI-powered tool designed to help financial professionals access information about Prudential products, underwriting quotes, and new business forms more efficiently.

The tool is now available to Prudential’s third-party advisors and active distributors. According to Prudential, Just Ask allows users to ask questions and receive responses tied specifically to Prudential Individual Life products and processes, reducing the need to navigate multiple systems.

“Our sales teams and their leaders told us they wanted faster, simpler access to information they already use every day,” said Simon Berg, technology business leader for Prudential Individual Life Insurance. “We built Just Ask to support those moments, especially around underwriting, where timing matters.”

Faster Access to Underwriting Information

Prudential said one of the main features of Just Ask is its quick underwriting quote capability. Financial professionals can generate certain underwriting rates in minutes by entering basic client information.

Without the tool, Prudential said the same process can take several business days through traditional channels.

The company noted that faster access to underwriting information can help advisors respond to clients more quickly and keep cases moving forward.

In addition to underwriting support, Just Ask also helps financial professionals locate product details and identify the correct new business forms.

Early User Feedback

Prudential reported that within the first few months after launch, about 85% of first-time users said Just Ask helped them answer their questions.

During that same period, searches for forms represented the most common use of the tool. Underwriting quote requests followed closely behind.

Focus on Daily Workflow Support

Prudential said the tool is intended to help financial professionals handle routine tasks more efficiently by improving access to information.

The company is also evaluating additional enhancements based on how financial professionals currently use the platform. Prudential said future capabilities under governance review may include tools that help financial professionals evaluate their book of business and identify insights related to sales and service activity across their territories.