Improving Flash Flood Warning Services and Public Flood Awareness through Local Hydrologic Warning Partnerships

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Improving Flash Flood Warning Services and Public
Flood Awareness through Local Hydrologic Warning
Partnerships
Third National Hydrologic Program Managers
Conference 10-13 July 2007, Kansas City, MO

• Kevin G. Stewart, P.E.
• President, National Hydrologic Warning Council
• Manager, Information Services and Flood Warning
  ProgramUrban Drainage and Flood Control
  DistrictDenver, Colorado

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Big Thompson Canyon Flash Flood
The Beginning

• July 31, 1976

Colorados Wake-Up Call
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The Dilemma
19-foot flood depth
Big Thompson River at Canyon Mouth
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The Impact

• 144 people killed including two law enforcement
  officers 250 injured
• 35 million in damages (1977 dollars)
• 418 homes and businesses destroyed as well as
  many mobile homes
• 438 automobiles destroyed
• Many bridges, roads, public utilities, and other
  structures damaged

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The ConcernBoulder, Colorado
Colorados No. 1 flash flood risk
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Urban Drainage and Flood Control DistrictLocal
Flood Warning Program
The Response

• Serving the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area
  since1979 in partnership with local governments
  and theNational Weather Service

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Defining the Threat
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Early Flood Detection Evaluation
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Making the initial investment
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Boulder Creek Flood Detection Network
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Flood Detection NetworkExpansion

• 176 ALERT Stations
• 153 Rain Gages
• 87 Stream Gages
• 18 Weather Stations
• 7 Repeaters
• 7 Base Stations

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Widely Available Real-Time Information
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UDFCD Flood Prediction Center
Radar SatelliteData Displays
GIS and Forecast Products
ALERTBase Stations
Staffed by private meteorologist when flood
potentials exist
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Empowering decision makers with timely
trustworthy information
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Basin-Specific Flood Warning Plans

• The drainage basin
• descriptions, facilities, hydrology, flood
  history, problem areas, flood routing/timing
• Decision aids
• ALERT system, flash flood guidance, inundation
  areas
• Communications
• Meteorological support
• National Weather Service
• Private Meteorologist
• Flood threat recognition and warning process
• Procedures and general responsibilities
• Public dissemination
• Media contacts
• Annual revisions and practices

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GIS Partnering
GIS with real-time data interface aids with
threat evaluation and provides for more effective
communications.
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Flood Depth/Inundation Mapping
GIS mapping integrated with real-time hydrologic
model.
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A Popular Interface
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A Popular Interface
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A Popular Interface
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A Popular Interface
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A Popular Interface
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A Popular Interface
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Bringing key people together
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Attracting MaintainingPublic Interest

• The toughest challenge

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Annual Flood Hazard Notice
24,000 recipients Hazard-specific brochures
Always generates a few inquires but actual
effectiveness is unknown.
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Partnering to Encourage Self-Help

• What to do
• Before
• During
• After

Buy flood insurance
Floodproofing ideas
Develop a familyemergency plan
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Multi-media websites may help improve public
flood awareness
http//floodsafety.com/colorado/
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create opportunities to maintain interest in
local flood warning programs that may be
short-lived.
Tragic Reminders
Hurricane Katrina caused concern for many
communities. Communities take steps to prepare
for their worst case flood scenario.
Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge
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Summary
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LFWS Sustainability
Maintain interest support by building
relationships

• Attend and host regular meetings
• Assist with developing and maintaining
  basin-specific flood warning plans
• Help plan and conduct annual flash flood
  drills/exercises
• Provide daily precipitation forecasts
• Directly notify jurisdictions of potential and
  imminent flash flood threats and encourage 2-way
  information exchange
• Install, operate and maintain real-time
  weather/flood monitoring networks and train users
  often
• Make effective use of text messaging, email,
  paging, Internet, and fax communications (e.g.
  auto-alarm notifications, short message formats,
  etc.)
• Make real-time data widely available

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Information Sharing Strategic Alliances

• User Groups
• Federal, State and Local Agencies
• Educational Institutions
• Affiliated Organizations
• International Interests

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Mission Statement

• The mission of the National Hydrologic Warning
  Council is to promote the acquisition,
  dissemination and utilization of hydrologic and
  meteorological data in real-time for the
  protection of lives, property, infrastructure and
  resources, and to support the subsequent uses of
  the data to improve knowledge and management of
  the environment.

June 11-14, 2007
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You make the difference!