Hurricane Helene Destroyed Roads. Here’s How to Rebuild—and Flood-Proof Them for Next Time

image via WIRED

October 5, 2024, 9:30 AM

• •Engineers are using data to design roads that can withstand more intense weather patterns.
• •They are also using different materials, such as pervious concrete, to make roads more permeable and able to absorb water.
• •Ultimately, there's not a lot that can be done when a huge volume of water quickly flows across a roadway or the base of a bridge, but planning ahead and staging the quick-fix materials nearby can help communities rebuild quickly.

Hurricane Helene caused devastating flooding in western North Carolina, washing away roads and bridges. State and federal agencies are working to rebuild the infrastructure, and engineers are using new materials and designs to make roads more resilient to climate change.

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