Understanding Key Building Attributes Influencing Flood Vulnerability in Masonry Structures after the 2023 Kakhovka Dam Breach in Ukraine

The breach of the Kakhovka Dam on 6 June 2023 in southern Ukraine resulted in severe flooding, impacting historic unreinforced masonry buildings. This study investigates the factors that influenced the extent of flood damage to these structures using a dataset of impacted buildings in Kherson, Ukraine. The dataset included architectural, structural, and geographical attributes, which were analyzed using different machine learning algorithms. Our approach achieved over 90% accuracy in predicting damage levels. This work is novel as it is the first to analyze the attributes influencing the vulnerability of URM buildings to flood damage. Key building attributes identified as influencing damage levels include duration of impact, proximity to the dam breach, foundation type, year built, social occupancy, maintenance condition, building orientation, and raised floors. The results of this study can help engineers, architects, and urban planners in Ukraine to develop targeted strategies to enhance the flood resilience of historic masonry buildings. As the nation prepares for post-war reconstruction, these insights can inform future retrofitting and rebuilding efforts, contributing to a more resilient future for Ukraine’s cultural heritage.