Mitigation Division Flood Hazard Risk Mapping: Past, Present and Future Oklahoma Floodplain Management Association Ron Wanhanen, PE FEMA Region 6 Risk Analysis Branch
Overview The Past The Present Risk MAP The Process Path Watershed Selection & Discovery The Future Mitigation Actions Partnerships Communicating Risk 2
The Past Prior to National Flood Insurance Program Flood insurance coverage was not available No national flood mapping program No Federal minimum standards for floodplain management Escalating costs to taxpayers for flood disaster relief
The Past National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Created by congress National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 Identify and map flood hazard areas Provide a framework for floodplain management regulations Make flood insurance available in communities that participate in the NFIP 4
The Past NFIP Goals Decrease loss of life and property Increase importance of hazard mitigation Restore and protect natural resources and functions of floodplains Decrease taxpayer-funded disaster costs Decrease insurance cost Increase sustainability/livability
The Past Prior to Map Modernization Panels updated primarily by Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs) Two Part Maps BFEs on one Floodways on other Community Based maps Large scale revisions 6
The Past Map Modernization Move to Countywide Mapping Transformation of flood hazard inventory from paper to digital format Working towards seamless datasets Overlay of flood data with community datasets Map Mod projects working towards effective issuance Nine studies in final appeal/protest resolution 41 studies prepared in digital format in Oklahoma during Map Mod 7
The Past Successes: Map Modernization After completion of Map Modernization studies, DFIRMs will be available for 92% of population Digital data has heightened flood risk awareness by: Providing new tools to be used for risk awareness such as the National Flood Hazard Layer Triggering a national conversation on flood risk and mitigation Identified need for increased coordination between Federal Agencies
The Past Lessons Learned : Map Modernization Elevation Data FEMA acquiring and using more precise elevation data in future studies Digital conversion of SFHAs Ease of incorporation of future studies Local use of datasets Realizing the need for more communication during the process By modernizing our flood inventory, FEMA has laid the groundwork for Risk MAP.
The Past Lessons Learned : Map Modernization Surveys show that citizens expect to hear about flood risk from their local official. More local involvement during the process could lead to: Reviewing of maps by communities before they are effective Emphasis on communicating risk to citizens Trust of flood hazards identified and risk information
The Present: Risk MAP Risk MAP is not Map-Driven, it is Action-Driven through local ownership of risk.
The Present: Risk MAP Risk MAP offers opportunities for change the way FEMA and Local communities interact Risk MAP empowers communities to identify natural hazard risk communicate risk recognize and embrace the benefits of floodplain management understand and work to mitigate identified risks prepare residents for potential natural hazard risks
The Present: Risk MAP Change is a process, not an event.
The Process Path
The Process Path Community mitigation action and map revision is cyclical Decision points along the Path occur there is always action that can be taken locally identification of risk may not result in a map revision, but hazard identification is still useful Movement for communities to be more proactive in reduction of risk Acts to assist in the streamline of interaction with FEMA
Watershed Selection Projects are selected for funding based on a number of factors: Risk Need Elevation data availability Regional knowledge / issues CTP/State input State business plans
Watersheds & Discovery Once the HUC-8 watershed is selected: FEMA works to partner with the State throughout the process All communities within the watershed will be engaged in the Discovery Process Data collection to assist watershed evaluation for possible Risk MAP project in the future
Watersheds & Discovery Watershed approach will review flood risk and require interaction of multiple parties Discovery Project Maps Discovery will be initiated in five Region 6 watersheds with FY10 funding Lake O Cherokees Lower North Canadian Risk MAP products will assist communities to: Identify project areas Strengthen Mitigation Plans/Actions
Lake O Cherokees
Lower North Canadian
Watersheds & Discovery What data and resources are already out there? What do the FEMA/State/Local records indicate?
Watersheds & Discovery Internal team to compile records to prepare watershed profile to Better engage with areas selected for Discovery/Study/Revision There are multiple opportunities to determine the message throughout processes (with State input) Indicators Mitigation Plans Projects to reduce risk? Outreach projects to assist efforts? Active and Historic Grants? Number of Policies?
Watersheds & Discovery Once a watershed is identified, FEMA will work with the State to: Validate Discovery areas Determine Discovery meeting locations Develop Community Engagement Strategies Up front coordination Ahead of Discovery Leverage State/FMI CACs & CAVs Joint preparation for meeting
Watersheds & Discovery Prior to the meeting FEMA and State discuss known issues FEMA and State leverage local knowledge to set tone for the pending interaction State and FEMA reach out to inform and educate the Discovery communities on impending process Data needs Local issues and concerns Delivery formats needed for data use Areas of Mitigation Interest
Watersheds & Discovery Partnership and coordination with the State Participation of local communities Comprehensive understanding of risk in the Watershed
Watersheds & Discovery Once data is collected and analyzed FEMA will touch base with the State on proposed scope FEMA will solicit input from the Discovery communities Those selected will continue along the path towards a Kick-Off meeting Those not selected will be engaged for potential mitigation actions and plan updates
Kick Off Meeting Intended to assure that communities understand project scope for update Discussion to revolve around Risk Potential Mitigation Actions Areas for Mitigation Interest Recent local decisions that influence flood risk in community
The Future Every flood starts with a single raindrop. Every Mitigation Action starts with a single idea.
The Future Adopting mitigation planning Communicating risk to its residents Utilize Risk MAP tools Enacting mitigation action to reduce risk Maintaining maps through LOMRs Utilizing mitigation plans to secure grant funding for mitigation action Emergency management, floodplain management and planning officials interacting
LOMRs as Map Maintenance Floodplains are constantly changing Development Changes to land use Channelization and naturalization projects Resulting in the continuous need for map update Don t wait for the next mapping project FPAs: Understand the requirements for FIRM updates Without good representation of the flood hazards, you can t reduce your risk
Risk MAP Products Flood Risk Database Flood Risk Assessment Data Flood Depth & Analysis Grids Changes Since Last FIRM Data Areas of Mitigation Interest Flood Risk Map Enhanced Products Flood Risk Report Ad-Hoc Flood Risk Analyses
Risk Awareness leading to Action Assessment of the natural hazards will help communities evaluate the problems, set goals, and review possible strategies and measures for their hazard mitigation plans.
Risk MAP Products http://rampp-team.com County-specific information on current Risk MAP Projects Intended for local official project updates and links to resources http://riskmap6.com Interactive mapping portal for Risk MAP studies Intended for public More to come soon!
How can you help? Inform local planners, engineers and community officials of the flood hazard areas you protect Review the current effective flood hazard maps with Emergency Management personnel provide input for areas that you service and are not shown as vulnerable Assist in the identification of residents at risk (low water crossings) Alert the public to flood hazard risk and promote preparedness
How can you help? Public Education and Awareness of Risk Outreach projects Speaker series/ demonstration events Hazard map information Real estate disclosure Library materials School children educational programs Hazard expositions Fire-wise Communities Utilize Risk MAP Outreach Products
How can you help? Your valuable information and experience will lead to: Better flood risk assessment More accurate flood risk identification Risk MAP products Flood Insurance Rate Maps Stronger State and Local Hazard Mitigation Plans Increased use of grant programs to reduce risk in your State
Conclusion Mapping Identification of areas of natural hazard risk Assessment Review and analysis of hazard areas Planning Mitigation activities to reduce risk Partnering with you will help us communicate these risks to your residents consistently. Ronald.Wanhanen@dhs.gov