GIS-Based Environmental Vulnerability Mapping of Electric Poles in Flood Zones

¹ Civil Engineering Department, Romblon State University, 5505 Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines
² Electrical Engineering Department, Romblon State University, 5505 Odiongan, Romblon, Philippines

^* Corresponding author: jeromegabuterogacu@rsu.edu.ph

Abstract

Flooding poses a persistent threat to the reliability and safety of power distribution infrastructure in the Philippines. This study applies a Geographic Information System (GIS)-based approach to assess the environmental vulnerability of 2,952 electric poles within flood hazard zones in Odiongan, Romblon. Using spatial overlay analysis of historical flood data and topographic parameters, poles were categorized into six risk classes: no risk, very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Results show that 44.85% of the poles are located within flood-prone zones, with 22.28% classified as very high risk and 6.95% as high risk, primarily concentrated in low-lying coastal barangays such as Tulay, Ligaya, and Tabing Dagat. In contrast, 55.15% are situated in upland zones with minimal exposure. The findings indicate that topographic variation and settlement expansion significantly affect the environmental resilience of the energy distribution system. The study recommends prioritizing pole reinforcement, elevation redesign, and the use of flood-resilient materials in high-risk areas. This research contributes a replicable GIS-based framework for integrating environmental risk assessment into energy infrastructure planning and disaster resilience managements.