Honors Theses

Date of Award

7-2026

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Degree Name

BS

Department

Marine and Environmental Science

Faculty Mentor

Abbey Hotard, Ph.D.

Advisor(s)

Katie McCorrison, Ph.D. and Fabian Terbeck, Ph.D.

Abstract

Mobile County, Alabama, receives among the highest annual rainfall totals in the United States resulting in frequent stormwater flooding that intersects with existing socioeconomic vulnerabilities. Within the Mobile County Public School System (MCPSS), 77% of students are economically disadvantaged and over 10% experience homelessness, creating heightened risk for educational disruption during flood events. This study investigates how stormwater flooding influences school attendance, closures, and academic performance across MCPSS, providing insight into how climate-driven hazards exacerbate educational inequities. The research integrates flood frequency, school performance metrics, and GIS flood-zone mapping and teacher perceptions to understand how flooding affects student learning opportunities. Statistical analyses assess links between flooding and bus transportation, closure stress, school schedules, commutes to school, and socioeconomic status while spatial mapping visualizes which schools are most at risk. This project contributes to the growing field of climate resilience and educational equity. These findings should be used to inform actionable recommendations for infrastructure improvements, disaster response planning, and continuity of learning in flood-prone regions.

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