Stelk, Caleb2025-03-032025-03-032024https://hdl.handle.net/2097/44792Kirmser Undergraduate Research Award - Individual Non-Freshman category, grand prizeThis paper details two optimization models which are designed to increase the number of lives saved from flash flooding in developing countries. The evacuation planning model is prescriptive and built to minimize road link failure probability as civilians evacuate the area. The operational planning model is formulated and applied during a flash flood and focuses on minimizing the number of trips taken by public transportation services to evacuate civilians. Both models are discussed in detail and evaluated according to applicability, ability to predict crowd behavior, road link maneuverability with rising water depths, ability to identify risk-averse relief points, and assumption requirements. After evaluating both models, this paper recommends the evacuation planning model as best suited for countries with poor infrastructure or rural environments with limited technological resources. The operational planning model is found to be best suited for countries with large cities and public transportation networks. The paper recommends that the UNDRR hire an industrial engineer familiar with operations research and CPLEX optimization software. This engineer would coordinate with local officials to develop flash flood evacuation plans by tailoring one of these models to fit the specific needs of that country.This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/Flash FloodingEvacuation PlanningUNDRR (United Nations office for Disaster Risk ReductionCPLEX Optimization SoftwareOperations ResearchOptimization Models for Flash Flooding in Developing CountriesTextStelk, C. (2024). Optimization models for flash flooding in developing countries. Unpublished manuscript, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS.