Publication Date
Spring 5-13-2026
Description
In partnership with Debra Sulai and Lewisburg Neighborhoods, the goal of this project is to build flood resilience and education in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. Lewisburg is located in a high-risk flood zone due to its proximity to the Susquehanna River, Miller Run, Buffalo Creek, and Limestone (Bull) Run. The Borough has experienced significant flooding throughout its history, most notably in 1972, when Tropical Storm Agnes devastated the town. Renters which comprise 65% of Borough residents, are less likely to be aware of flood risk. The goals of this project were to help increase awareness of flood risk, encourage residents and businesses to develop a flood plan, increase community capacity, and measure the effectiveness of outreach efforts. To reach these goals, we created multiple educational materials, including a flood pamphlet, a bookmark, and a one-pager. We also designed a survey to assess the knowledge and effectiveness of our materials. Our methods focused on community-based education and direct outreach. We distributed over 600 educational materials through canvassing efforts targeting local businesses, stores, restaurants, and residential areas. In addition, we tabled outside of the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership office on Market Street to engage directly with community members and discuss flood risk, insurance, and how to create a flood plan. The Lewisburg Borough offered to distribute an additional 150 bookmarks and 150 pamphlets to residential homes that are on a repetitive loss list for flooding. Lewisburg Neighborhoods took the remaining 200 materials that we did not distribute. Initial results from the survey suggest that our outreach efforts have successfully increased awareness of flood risks among community members. Responses indicate that individuals reported higher levels of understanding after engaging with the materials we created. However, these findings also show limited behavior changes to create flood plans or purchase flood insurance. We interpret these responses to mean that raising awareness around flooding risk is easier than motivating behavior changes. Going forward, we recommend that Lewisburg Neighborhoods, in combination with the Lewisburg Borough, work together to continue expanding flood education efforts within the community. Using specific targeting outreach to encourage actionable steps rather than just awareness, such as a flood plan workshop to teach people hands on how to make a flood plan or an experienced flood insurance professional speaker. These hands-on actionable community events would simultaneously increase awareness but also provide the environment for actionable steps in being more proactive about flood risk.
Rights
©2026 Ellie Torrisi, Emily Cook, Hanna Mozayeni
Course Instructor
Andrew Stuhl
Department
Environmental Studies
Location
Lewisburg