Orientation One who knows the Mississippi will promptly aver... that ten thousand river commissions cannot tame that lawless stream, cannot curb it or confine it, cannot say to it, Go here or Go there and make it obey; cannot save a shore which it has sentenced; cannot bar its path with an obstruction which it will not tear down, dance over, and laugh at. Mark Twain Life on the Mississippi Overview This unit presents a summary of the home study course materials. Contents A. Introduction... 3 B. Course Objectives... 5 C. Course Overview... 6 Summary of Units...6 Summary of Appendices...8 D. Course Presentation... 9 Course Materials...9 Programmed Text...9 Video Segments...10 Engineer s Scale...10 Floodplain Information and Data...10 State-Specific Information...10 Learning Checks...10 Supplementary Reading Materials...11 E. Course Completion... 11 Course-Related Assistance...11 F. Final Examination... 12
Orientation November 1997 Equipment and Materials for Completing This Unit 1. Videotape segment, Welcome to the Course 2. Video cassette player O-2
November 1997 Orientation A. Introduction North Carolina has tremendous geographical diversity. From mountains at its western boundary to the barrier islands along the Atlantic Ocean, the residents of the state and its countless visitors benefit greatly from its land and water bounty. The state, however, also suffers from devastating floods because of its geographical position in the nation. Ranging from flash floods in the mountains and hills to hurricanes and winter storms along the jutting coastline, these natural disasters occur regularly, resulting in severe loss of property and life. In 1989 and in 1990, floods in the western and central parts of the state caused $15 million in damage. Hurricanes Hugo (1989) and Bertha and Fran (1996) caused damages estimated at $1 billion, $1.2 billion, and $4 billion, predominantly along the coastal and in the eastern areas of the state. Cumulatively, they resulted in more than 30 deaths. This growing evidence demonstrates the need to continue to manage development of North Carolina s floodplains in a manner consistent with the risk involved in their occupancy and use. Responsibility for flood loss reduction is shared among all governmental levels local, state and federal and with the private sector. Fulfilling this responsibility depends on having the knowledge and skills necessary to plan and carry out needed floodplain management measures. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), created by Congress in 1968, has developed a number of measures to assist you in acquiring this knowledge and these skills. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI), a division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), currently conducts a five-day resident course entitled Managing Floodplain Development through the NFIP. Through this course, state and local officials learn about flood loss reduction, floodplain management, and the NFIP. With more than 19,000 communities across the United States participating in the NFIP, it is impossible to train all officials at EMI and control the quality, consistency, effectiveness, and cost of training. Therefore, FEMA began conversion of the resident course to an independent study format to increase the availability of NFIP training, improve instructional effectiveness and consistency, and reduce overall cost to EMI and its students. One of the mitigation efforts in the recovery from Hurricane Fran is the completion of this Home Study Course entitled Carrying Out Floodplain O-3
Orientation November 1997 Management in Your Locality: With Assistance from the National Flood Insurance Program for deployment to community officials in the state of North Carolina. This course is a joint effort of the FEMA Region IV Mitigation Division; the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management (DEM), the state agency designated by the Governor to provide floodplain management services to its political subdivisions; and the North Carolina Association of Floodplain Managers. Although the DEM has been conducting floodplain management workshops for some time, Hurricane Fran demonstrated the need for continued basic training of local officials. It was discovered during these workshops and through other contacts that frequently these officials need more detailed information than is offered in the state s workshops. The purpose of this home study course is to enhance the knowledge and skills of state and local officials responsible for planning and carrying out various floodplain management measures. These include administering and enforcing local floodplain management regulations. It is also intended to broaden the understanding of floodplain management strategies, which can be applied at the local level. It is the objective of FEMA Region IV and the North Carolina DEM to develop sound floodplain management capability in North Carolina and have every local floodplain official take and pass this course by the year 2005. This course also provides a sound foundation for new employees assigned floodplain management responsibilities. O-4
November 1997 Orientation B. Course Objectives This course is designed to accomplish the following objectives. Upon its completion you should have: 1. An improved knowledge of your responsibilities for administration of your community s floodplain regulations 2. A better understanding of the use of flood data and its application to your community s regulations 3. Improved problem solving, administrative, and technical skills to help you address situations that you can expect to encounter in your job through real-life floodplain management exercises O-5
Orientation November 1997 C. Course Overview Summary of Units This course consists of the following twelve units. Unit Title Unit Overview Course Orientation 1 Floods and Floodplain Management: What Do They Mean to Your Community 2 The NFIP and Community Responsibilities for Participation 3 Your Roles and Responsibilities in Carrying Out Floodplain Management in Your Community 4 Information and Data Provided Through the NFIP 5 Understanding and Using NFIP Data 6 Managing Floodplain Development: Procedures, Standards and Requirements 7 Managing Floodplain Development: Additional Planning Considerations 8 Administering Your Floodplain Management Presents an overview of the home study course objectives, course presentation, how to seek assistance, and procedures for completion. Describes common types of floods and floodplains, strategies and tools for floodplain management, and how their use has evolved over time. Provides an introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program. Describes the roles of the state and communities, how communities can participate, and their continuing responsibilities. Describes the roles and responsibilities of the local officials designated to administer the community s floodplain management regulations. Describes the studies that are conducted to provide information and technical data required to plan and carry out a floodplain management program. Describes the information and data presented in the previous unit in more detail. It demonstrates how to use the various data provided. Discusses topics pertaining to floodplain management at the local level, including the local ordinance, the NFIP and state standards and requirements, and numerous management options. Discusses the need for communities to adopt additional floodplain management measures beyond those required to participate in the NFIP and those required by the state. Covers in detail a number of topics of importance to effectively administer the local ordinance, including who is involved, the permit review O-6
November 1997 Orientation Unit Title Unit Overview Ordinance process, and record keeping. 9 Administrative Issues Relating to National Flood Insurance Program Requirements Covers a number of additional administrative topics related specifically to the NFIP including substantial improvements and map changes. 10 Enforcement of the Ordinance Covers a number of enforcement topics including variances and legal issues. 11 Relationship between Floodplain Management and Flood Insurance 12 Obtaining Assistance and Support Final Exercises Discusses the relationship between floodplain management and flood insurance and how floodplain management decisions can directly impact flood insurance rates that citizens in your community will pay for flood insurance coverage. Describes the types of assistance and support available, both inside and outside the community, to those administering the community s floodplain management program. Consists of viewing videotape on importance of community mitigation, and a final examination. O-7
Orientation November 1997 Summary of Appendices There are nine appendices to be used as a supplement to the basic course content. Appendix Title Overview A References Compiles the floodplain management references mentioned in the text. B Glossary of Acronyms and Terms Defines key words, terms, and acronyms related to floodplain management. C Sources of Assistance Summarizes assistance available from federal, state, and local sources. D E F G Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance North Carolina Models Excerpts from North Carolina s Local Administrator s Handbook for Floodplain Management Floodplain Management Using Approximate Studies Additional Guidance from FEMA Contains two model flood damage prevention ordinances (municipal and county) prepared by DEM to assist communities. Provides information on a number of common issues that arise in administering local ordinances and in addressing other floodplain management measures. Provides further guidance to the local administrator on how to manage development in flood hazard areas that were defined using approximate study methods (unnumbered A Zones). Contains a number of guidelines addressing specific issues faced by the local administrator. H Sample NFIP Biennial Report Contains an NFIP Biennial Report. I Forms for Reproduction Brings together a variety of forms needed by the local floodplain administrator, such as elevation certificate, complete LOMA package, floodproofing certificate, etc. O-8
November 1997 Orientation D. Course Presentation A variety of training methods will be used in this course. They include: Text, graphic and video presentation of the content Reading Learning checks Structured practical exercises Final exercise A variety of activities are designed to build competency in the following areas: Knowledge Skills Course Materials Floodplain Management The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) Permit review process Pertinent legal issues Community Rating System (CRS) Interpreting a Flood Insurance Study and its data Making decisions about permit applications The following materials are used during this training: Textbook The textbook in loose-leaf format contains the primary material used during the training. The inclusion of supplementary material and reproducible forms in the appendices ensures the book will also be useful as a reference work. O-9
Orientation November 1997 Video Segments Two videotapes provide additional information about many topics discussed in the course. Each videotape contains four segments. They can assist in understanding the materials and provide examples of practical situations related to the information being studied. Before you start a unit, check page 2 of the unit to determine if it contains a video segment, indicated by the video icon shown here. In that way, you will be assured of having the equipment and materials you will need. Now would be a good time to view Segment 1 of the first videotape, a welcome to the course. After viewing this video segment, stop the tape and return to the text. Do not rewind the tape. Engineer s Scale An engineer s scale is included for use in some of the exercises in this course. Floodplain Information and Data The unit on Understanding and Using NFIP Data gives numerous opportunities to read and interpret the data in a flood insurance study and on its maps. Included in the course materials are a coastal and a riverine Flood Insurance Study report and associated maps for use in a number of learning exercises. State-Specific Information Information specific to North Carolina is indicated by a state flag symbol. Learning Checks Learning checks and unit learning exercises are strategically placed throughout the text. Answers to learning checks and exercises can be found at the end of each unit. O-10
November 1997 Orientation Supplementary Reading Materials Most units include a list of references that can be used for supplementary reading to reinforce the text materials or to provide additional information related to a specific topic. In addition, the appendices provide a list of acronyms, definitions of floodplain management terms, sample model ordinances, and other reference materials (see table of contents). E. Course Completion There is no pre-set time limit for completion of this course. Using the International Association of Continuing Education Training Guidelines, this course work is equivalent to three continuing education units. Course-Related Assistance Assistance in understanding any of the course content is available by contacting the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management or the FEMA Region IV office: North Carolina Division of FEMA Region IV Emergency Management Mitigation Division NFIP - State Coordinator 3003 Chamblee-Tucker Road 116 West Jones Street Atlanta, GA 30341 Raleigh, NC 27603-1335 Telephone (770) 220-5400 Telephone (919) 733-5392 FAX (770) 220-5440 FAX (919) 715-5408 O-11
Orientation November 1997 F. Final Examination A final examination is located at the end of this textbook. It is designed to test the knowledge gained from the course. An answer sheet is supplied with the course materials. If desired, the completed answer sheet may be mailed to the address on the form. The test will be evaluated and the results mailed to the applicant within a few weeks. If a score of seventy-five percent or above is achieved, a certificate of completion will be issued. O-12