Flood Resilience - Two New Comprehensive Reports

The Institute for Sustainable Communities (ISC) has released Vermont’s Roadmap to Resilience including the recommendations of a broad array of Vermont organizations and agencies.

Vermont’s Roadmap to Resilience includes twenty-three recommendations to increase Vermont’s preparedness for the effects of climate change and extreme weather impacts.

Vermont’s Roadmap to Resilience (Full Report)

Executive Summary

Resilient Vermont Project Documents

Steve Zind of VPR covered the release of the Roadmap 12/17/13 and also noted the release of another report this week by Gavin Smith of the University of North Carolina and Coast Hazards Center.  Gavin Smith’s report was sponsored by EPA’s Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program (SGIA).    

Gavin Smith

Vermont State Agency Policy Options Smart Growth Implementation Assistance Program: Disaster Recovery and Long-Term Resilience Planning in Vermont

The report identifies both long-term flood resilience goals and options for specific state agencies and inter-agency policy opportunities.

Upcoming ASFPM Webinar November 14th on Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act

A third webinar was added by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) about the Biggert-Waters 2012 (BW12) National Flood Insurance Program Reform Act.  A third webinar was added due to the previous two being sold out.  The webinar will help to clarify the changes that are occurring to flood insurance rate changes, the elimination of flood insurance subsidies and questions about how the changes might affect communities. 

The webinar is scheduled for Thursday, November 14 from 3-4pm EST. 

There will be 1 Continuing Education Credit for CFMs that participate in the webinar.

Cost:
$30 ASFPM Individual Members (you should have received an email with an event promo code that will give you this preferred rate)
$45 ASFPM Chapters/Agencies/Corporate Partners
$60 Non-Members

A link to more information about this webinar, and a link to the registration website.

Upcoming Online Trainings for November

From our FEMA Region 1 Service Center contact, Alex Sirotek:

I’d like to present the upcoming free, online trainings available through STARR. These trainings cover a variety of topics, from the NFIP basics through specifics of elevation certificates, and are presented by STARR staff, FEMA, and State organizations. Many of the courses are eligible for CEC credits for Certified Floodplain Managers.

Please feel free to register for any courses you are interested in attending, and invite or pass information on these courses on to potentially interested communities or organizations in your states. Also, if you are interested in using this online platform for any trainings that your state would like to present, STARR can support you in that effort. Please let me know if you’d like additional information on hosting online trainings.

To register for a course or to check on upcoming courses, navigate to https://atkinsglobalna.webex.com/mw0401l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=atkinsglobalna&service=7 and click the “Upcoming” tab. Below are the courses offered in November:

November 6, 1:00 pm Eastern – Floodplain Development Permit Review

This 90-minute session will highlight eight basic steps to reviewing development inside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This is beginner training, recommended for those new to the role of floodplain administrator. 1 CEC for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers.

November 7, 1:00 pm Eastern – Inspecting Floodplain Development

This beginner two-hour session will highlight special considerations for plan reviewers and building inspectors when evaluating and inspecting development inside the Special Flood Hazard Area, including basic concepts and terminology, minimum construction standards (from the IBC/IRC), and conducting inspections. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers.

November 20, 1:00 pm Eastern – Determining Base Flood Elevation

Training on methods for determining base flood elevation in AE and A Zones using the FIRM/FIS and other resources, including tips for developing BFEs for A Zones. 1 CEC for CFMs.

November 20, 3:00 pm Eastern – Substantial Damage Estimation

After a large-scale hazard event, structures must be evaluated for substantial damage. When a structure is deemed substantially damaged, specific flood hazard reduction regulations become effective. This one-hour session will walk the attendee through the basics of Substantial Damage Estimation, including downloading and installing the program and gathering and inputting data to assist with the substantial damage estimation process for larger scale events. 1 CEC for CFMs.

November 21, 12:00 pm Eastern – Elevation Certificates

Training on the proper way to complete FEMA Form 81-31 and best practices for using the Elevation Certificate in the floodplain development review process. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs) that register and attend individually and pass the learning objectives quiz at the end of the session.

In addition, here is a summary of courses currently scheduled in December. Additional courses may be added, so check https://atkinsglobalna.webex.com/mw0401l/mywebex/default.do?siteurl=atkinsglobalna&service=7 for the current list:

Dec 4, 2013, 12:00 PM Eastern- Floodplain Development Permit Review Dec 5, 2013, 1:00 PM Eastern - Inspecting Floodplain Development

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you!

Alex

Alex Sirotek, CFM
STARR
FEMA Region 1 Regional Service Center
99 High Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-574-4402

Am I in a Flood Hazard Area?

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as Zone A, AE, AH, AO or A 1- 30.   FIRM maps can be viewed at the municipal office but they can also be found online at the FEMA Map Service Center

Most Vermont communities have FIRMs and some communities have an officially-digital version called the Digital FIRM or DFIRM.  DFIRMs are available in Chittenden, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties and for several towns (Bradford, Hardwick, Jay, Montgomery, Newbury, Wolcott, and Stowe).

DFIRMs can be viewed at:

FEMA Flood Map Viewer , OR

Vermont Natural Resources Atlas at  tinyurl.com/vt-flood 

and using the Google Earth kmz file available at the FEMA Map Service Center).

Preliminary DFIRM data is now available for Bennington County (5/18/12) and the Town of Richmond (9/11/13).   

Preliminary DFIRM data can be viewed at the municipal office or found online at the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas. 

To view the Preliminary DFIRM data in the Atlas

1.      Use Quick Tools to search for a street address

2.      Find the best result in the list and click on it, the choose Zoom to Feature

3.      Click on Map Layers (shown as a stack of green, red and gray layers at the bottom of the screen).

4.      Click on the "+" sign next to the Watershed Protection  Layers

5.      Click on the empty box next to Special Flood Hazard Areas (Preliminary DFIRM)  Layer

6.      Click on the gray box beside that layer to reveal the Legend

To print or save a map:

1.      Click on the Map Tools icon (wrench and screwdriver) in upper right corner of screen.

2.      Click on Print Map (it will automatically incorporate a legend and scale bar).  You can choose to “print” (save) a pdf or jpg version and then email or print that image.

Non-DFIRM Maps (FIRMs and FHBMs)

Where the community does not have an official DFIRM you can view the current data online and make a FIRMette (a small version of the official data).  FIRM maps do not have an aerial image in the background so you must include features such as intersections from which to measure and plot the location of your building.

To find a FIRM use the Product Catalog.   Then click on Get Current FEMA Issued Flood Maps.

In the list of maps the map ending in INDO (eg 500001IND0 ) is the index or map of map panels.   Once you have your bearings on the map panel you can open the correct panel and Make a FIRMette, and save it as a pdf or tif.

Need Map Help?

FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX)

FEMA Map Specialist 1-877-FEMA-MAP,   FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com

Structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A, AE, A1-30, AO, AH) have more than a 1 in 4 chance of being exposed to a flood during a 30 year mortgage.  

FEMA's Floodsmart website has information about flood insurance and a tool to estimate flood damage for a structure built on a slab.

Planning for Flood Resilience!

With Act 16 in 2013 Vermont has established flood resilience goals for municipal, regional and state plans. Beginning July 2014 new municipal and regional plans must include a flood resilience element that addresses the goals identified in Chapter 117 §4302.

§4302. PURPOSE; GOALS

(14) To encourage flood resilient communities.

(A) New development in identified flood hazard, fluvial erosion, and river corridor protection areas should be avoided. If new development is to be built in such areas, it should not exacerbate flooding and fluvial erosion.

(B) The protection and restoration of floodplains and upland forested areas that attenuate and moderate flooding and fluvial erosion should be encouraged.

(C) Flood emergency preparedness and response planning should be encouraged

A simple SharePoint website has been pulled together to support planners working on flood resilience.   The site has links to data, suggestions, supportive contacts and early drafts.

tinyurl.com/floodresilience

Please take a look and spread the word !

Property-Owner's Guide to Rebuilding for Flood Resilience workshop

Here is an opportunity that we wanted to pass along.  It is a evening and following full day event in November that is targeted to individual property owners who are looking to get ideas and discuss flood resistant reconstruction techniques.  The intent of this workshop is to incorporate many different topics that can help a homeowner rebuilding after a flood, such as energy efficiency, historic preservation, stormwater management and landscape design.  Registration and additional information can be found at the website listed at the bottom of the post.

DON'T MISS the Property-owners' Guide to Rebuilding for Flood Resilience: a DESIGN CHARETTE to Generate Ideas for Adapting Flood Resistant Reconstruction Techniques to Our Climate and Culture

Integrating Practical Ideas for Flood Hazard Mitigation with Landscape Design, Energy Efficiency, Stormwater Management and Historic Preservation

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 7^TH from 6:30PM – 8:30PM

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 8^TH from 8:30AM – 3:00PM, luncheon provided

REGISTER NOW:

 https://rebuilding-for-flood-resilience.eventbrite.com

 

CFM Exam on 10/21 in Montpelier, VT

We wanted to announce that a spring Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) exam has been scheduled and confirmed for Monday, October 21st from 9am-12pm located in Montpelier.    

What is the CFM program all about you may ask?  Here is a small excerpt from the ASFPM website about the Program:

The Association of State Floodplain Managers has established a national program for professional certification of floodplain managers. The program recognizes continuing education and professional development that enhance the knowledge and performance of local, state, federal, and private-sector floodplain managers.

The primary goal of the ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager Program (CFM Program) is to help reduce the nation's flood losses and protect and enhance the natural resources and functions of its floodplains by improving the knowledge and abilities of floodplain managers in the United States.  A second goal of the CFM Program is to increase the prominence of floodplain management in decision-making by local officials and the public.

Additional information regarding ASFPM and the CFM program can be found at ASFPM’s website or the CFM Program page: www.floods.org,  CFM page

General Exam Information:

The exam will be held at the central Agency of Natural Resource officelocated at 1 National Life Drive in Montpelier.  If you are interested, you are now able to register for this exam with the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) office.  All registration forms and ASFPM membership applications should be sent to the ASFPM office in Madison, WI. 

If you are not a member of ASFPM, then the cost to register for the exam is $375.  However, if you join ASFPM as a member for $110, the exam registration fee will only be $100 for a total fee of $210.  If you are planning to become an ASFPM member and register for the exam at the same time, you should send the ASFPM membership form, the exam registration form and payment for both together for the ease of processing.

Please note that all exam registrations must be received by ASFPM no later than 2 weeks before the exam date.  This means that all registration forms need to be received by the ASFPM office no later than Monday, October 7th, otherwise you will not be able to sit for the exam.  The CFM exam registration form and the ASFPM membership form can be found here.

Review Session:

We will also be offering an all-day review session the week before the exam (10/15-10/18) with the date still to be determined.   The review session will be held from 9am-5pm in the ANR offices at the National Life Building located in Montpelier . Please contact Rebecca Pfeiffer (rebecca.pfeiffer@state.vt.us) in advance if you intend to be at the review session so that we can be sure that there will be enough room and so we can determined which date works best for those interested in the review.

If you are interested in taking the exam but would not be ready to do so for the 10/21 date, please contact Rebecca  so that your name will remain on our list of people to contact when we are planning another CFM exam in 2014. 

Please pass along the word to whomever else you think may be interested in sitting for the exam!

Upcoming Web Training Events from STARR

From Alex Sirotek, STARR : Hello all,

I’d like to present the upcoming free, online trainings available through STARR. These trainings cover a variety of topics, from the NFIP basics through specifics of elevation certificates, and are presented by STARR staff, FEMA, and State organizations. Many of the courses are eligible for CEC credits for Certified Floodplain Managers.

Please feel free to register for any courses you are interested in attending, and invite or pass information on these courses on to potentially interested communities or organizations in your states. Also, if you are interested in using this online platform for any trainings that your state would like to present, STARR can support you in that effort. Please let me know if you’d like additional information on hosting online trainings.

To register for a course or to check on upcoming courses, navigate to http://j.mp/starrwebtraining and click the “Upcoming” tab. Below are the courses offered in September:

September 11, 1:00 pm Eastern – NFIP Basics
This one-hour session will cover the history of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), basic terminology, governing authority, and provide an overview of the community’s role in floodplain management through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The target audience are state and local officials who need a general understanding of the ins and outs of the program and guidance on where to go for more training and answers. Continuing Education and Professional Development Credits are available.

September 18, 2:00 pm Eastern – Preparing for Post-Disaster Responsibilities
Early disaster preparedness is crucial for the efficient and effective administration of any Floodplain Administrator's duties. This one-hour long webinar, presented by the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency, highlights the local floodplain administrator's tasks and offers guidance for a quick and well-organized response. Continuing Education and Professional Development Credits are available.

September 24, 2:00 pm Eastern – Floodplain Development Plan Review
This 90-minute session will highlight eight basic steps to reviewing development inside the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This is beginner training, recommended for those new to the role of floodplain administrator. 1 CEC for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers.

September 25, 1:00 pm Eastern – Inspecting Floodplain Development
This beginner two-hour session will highlight special considerations for plan reviewers and building inspectors when evaluating and inspecting development inside the Special Flood Hazard Area, including basic concepts and terminology, minimum construction standards (from the IBC/IRC), and conducting inspections. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers

September 26, 1:00 pm Eastern – Elevation Certificates
Training on the proper way to complete FEMA Form 81-31 and best practices for using the Elevation Certificate in the floodplain development review process. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs) that register and attend individually and pass the learning objectives quiz at the end of the session.

In addition, here is a summary of courses currently scheduled in October and November. Additional courses may be added, so check http://j.mp/starrwebtraining for the current list:

 Oct 2, 2013 , 2:00 PM Eastern-  Substantial Damage Estimation
 Oct 9, 2013 , 1:00 PM Eastern-  Determining a Base Flood Elevation
 Oct 10, 2013 , 12:00 PM Eastern-  Elevation Certificates for A Zones
 Oct 16, 2013 , 2:00 PM Eastern-  CRS Basics
 Oct 17, 2013 , 1:00 PM Eastern-  Hazus and the Community Rating System
 Oct 23, 2013 , 1:00 PM Eastern-  Elevation Certificates
 Oct 24, 2013 , 12:00 PM Eastern-  NFIP Basics
 Nov 6, 2013 , 1:00 PM Eastern-  Floodplain Development Plan Review
 Nov 7, 2013 , 1:00 PM Eastern-  Inspecting Floodplain Development

Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you!
Alex

Alex Sirotek, CFM
STARR
FEMA Region 1 Regional Service Center
99 High Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02110
617-574-4402
SirotekAR@cdmsmith.com

FEMA Flood Hazard Map Updates

Currently in Vermont a flood map update process is underway in Bennington County and the Town of Richmond.   Beyond those areas there is no other work scheduled by FEMA.

At this time roughly half the state does not have access to Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) this includes most of Addison, Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Essex, Caledonia and Orange Counties.  Most of these maps are over 30 years old.

Years since Publication of Flood Maps

FEMA began a modernization process for the flood hazard maps in 2004 with the primary intention of making an official computer version available for users.  It was projected at that time that the process would be complete nationally by 2009.  Since that time pressure for updated studies (not just digitized), and the requirements, for those studies have increased the quality of the new maps at the expense of the quantity.

Since FFY11 the federal budget for map updates has been cut by 60% and priority for the dwindling investment has been directed to mapping flood hazards for coastal communities and communities behind levees.

Federal Budget Allocated to Update Flood Maps

When funding does become available for mapping in Vermont it will be through the process and standards of RiskMAP.   Through RiskMAP new flood hazard maps need to have high quality topography (i.e. the equivalent of two foot contour intervals) and a model-based delineation of flood hazards.  The map work will focus on watersheds (HUC-8).

HUC-8 Watersheds in Vermont

At this time multiple agencies have worked through USGS in Vermont to secure high quality topography from LiDAR for several watersheds that need updated flood hazard maps.  These areas include: the Missisquoi, Upper Connecticut River, and lower Otter Creek Watersheds.  LiDAR is also being acquired for much of the Lake Champlain Shoreline.

In March of this year the Association of State Floodplain Managers released a paper Flood Mapping for the Nation: A Cost Analysis for the Nation’s Flood Map Inventory  detailing funding needs to complete and maintain flood maps nationally.

VT DEC continues to express the acute need for map updates in Vermont.  Hopefully, as national coastal projects are finalized, FEMA can initiate work on inland riverine and lakeside flood maps.  Inadequate funding from Congress will prolong the absence of accessible and current data.  Data that is needed to plan for plan for community flood resilience, mitigate structures, and to correctly identify flood risk for insurance needs.

Interview about Post-Flood Recovery with President Clinton & Gov. Chris Christy - Clinton Global Initiative

A few days ago, I had been sent a link to a video from the Clinton Global Initiative of President Clinton's interview with NJ Governor Chris Christie about post-Sandy flood recovery.  Although this discussion is focused on the recovery of New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, President Clinton and Governor Christie use it as a way to more broadly discuss the topics of flooding, community planning, mitigation, recovery and the structure of flood insurance in the United States.

You may or may not agree with all approaches or ideas that are presented here (should we be spending billions of dollars on sand dune "re-nourishment" projects that will only last for a short number of years?), but I thought the discussion may help to spark some ideas or questions of your own.  It seems like it is quite a rare interview that has two influential high level policy makers (current and former) in an in-depth and frank discussion about mitigation and recovery.

Some of the highlights of their discussion includes:

• Purchase of flood damaged homes and approach taken by the State of NJ;
• How the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) can be re-organized or should flood insurance in the US be completely re-thought;
• Some discussion on the role of the state in the recovery effort;
• Why does Nebraska care about flooding in NJ?; and
• Should another Federal agency be tasked with the role of flood policy, preparedness, planning and mitigation and let FEMA return to an emergency management agency?

You can link to the full 45 minute interview on C-Span's video library here. 

Bennington County DFIRM Update

The Bennington County Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) will be updated by FEMA to include new data provided by the Town of Bennington for flood hazards along the Roaring Branch of the Walloomsac.  The new Preliminary DFIRM will be released in the fall and a new 90-day Review and Appeal Period will open in February 2014. 

At this time it is projected that the Bennington County DFIRM will get a Letter of Final Determination in September 2014 and become effective in March 2015.

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 has expanded the opportunities for map appeals.  Now, where ever the delineation of the flood hazard has changed (not just the Base Flood Elevation) the community can present FEMA with higher quality engineering data for inclusion.  Please see the information at: Changes to FEMA’s Appeals Process.

Communities in Bennington County that are still in the process of updating their flood hazard area bylaws should plan to complete the process before the holidays 2014.

In the meantime, communities may want to update their bylaws to qualify for Flood Resilient Communities incentives under ERAF.

Week Long Training Available at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute

Maybe it is because school is just on the horizon, but it seems like there are many training opportunities for floodplain management lately.  In addition to the webinars that had been highlighted in the previous post, there are also more immersive training opportunities available.  FEMA provides week-long trainings all year round at their Emergency Management Institute in Emmitsburg, MD that is essentially FREE for all local or state government employees (minus the appr. $100/week meal ticket).  FEMA reimburses you for your travel, has a shuttle van that will pick you up at the airport and does not charge you for your room or the class.  This is a great week-long training opportunity that is free besides your time and your meal ticket.  Link here if you would like to learn more about FEMA's Emergency Management Institute.

Did I also mention that the EMI courses are also pre-approved for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) if you are a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)?  The approved CECs are noted after the course title below.

If you are interested in applying for one of the remaining training spots left at FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI), I would encourage you to apply early.  Please contact me (rebecca.pfeiffer@state.vt.us) if you are interested in starting the application process or if you have any questions.  There are a few steps that you will need to take before having your application submitted to the Admissions Office at EMI, such as obtaining a Student Identification Number from FEMA, ensuring that you meet the course pre-requisites and having your application signed off by Vermont DEMHS (Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security).   

Upcoming Courses

E273 Managing Floodplain Development through the NFIP (12 Core CECs)

• October 21-24, 2013 - Seats still available! 
• March 17-20, 2014
• May 5-8, 2014
• September 15-18, 2014 

This is a basic NFIP four day course that lays the foundation for working with the NFIP in application in the field, and is targeted for local, Tribal, State and Federal Floodplain Managers.  Topics covered include outreach, mapping (risk determination), rules and regulations, permitting, elevation certificate, substantial damage and substantial improvement, flood insurance and legal issues as well as other important topics. 

E282 Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts II (12 Core CECs)

• April 14-17, 2014

This advanced floodplain management course is a dynamic and interactive instruction that covers the following four topics in detail: Manufactured Homes & RVs in the Floodplain, NFIP Insurance Principles for FPMs, Higher Standards in FPM, and Hydrology and Hydraulics for FPMs. 

E284 Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts III (12 Core CECs)

• July 21-24, 2014

This advanced floodplain management course is a dynamic and interactive instruction that covers the following five topics in detail: Floodway Standards, Disconnects between NFIP Regulations and Insurance, Common Noncompliance Issues, Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), and Substantial Improvement / Substantial Damage. 

E194 Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts (12 Core CECs)

• August 25-28, 2014 

This advanced floodplain management course is a dynamic and interactive instruction that covers the following four topics in detail: NFIP Rules & Regulations in Depth, Letters of Map Change (LOMCs), Roles & Responsibilities of the local FPM, and Preparing for post-disaster responsibilities.

E278 Community Rating System (12 Core CECs)

• April 7-10, 2014  
• June 23-26, 2014
• August 11-14, 2014 

This course covers the Community Rating System (CRS), a nationwide initiative of FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program.  It describes activities eligible for credit under the 2012 CRS Coordinator's Manual, how a community applies, and how a community modifies an application to improves its classification.  
**Since the 2012 updated CRS manual has been released and the changes to the Flood Insurance Program under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012have occured, there has been quite an increase in interest in this course.  Please sign up early or contact EMI Admissions to see if there are still seats available in the 2014 classes**