On the need for a hazardous flood vulnerability index: A critical review and conceptual framework for health, environment, and equity

Climate change is intensifying global flood risks, especially in vulnerable communities near hazardous waste sites, such as Superfunds. While there are indices for flood, climate, and social vulnerability, there is no index that integrates toxic exposure with flood hazard into a single aggregated metric. Here, we synthesise current understandings on climate-driven flooding, toxic site risks, and environmental justice, critically assessing existing indices. From this, we identify the need for a Hazardous Flood Vulnerability Index (HFVI) grounded in environmental justice, social vulnerability, settler colonial legacies, and intersectionality. We offer a conceptual perspective rather than an applied case study, laying the theoretical and computational basis for such an index. We discuss a proposed structure for this HFVI, which can be used to inform more equitable policy, disaster preparedness, and remediation planning at both community and federal levels. • Climate change intensifies flood risk at toxic sites in vulnerable regions. • Existing risk indices omit integration of toxic exposure and flood hazards. • We hence propose a conceptual Hazardous Flood Vulnerability Index (HFVI). • Our HFVI draws on justice, vulnerability, colonial, and intersectional theory. • Our HFVI can support equitable planning and disaster preparedness.