FEMA Flood Insurance Study

1
FEMAFlood Insurance Study

• Washington County
• Scoping Meeting

May 9, 2008
2
Meeting Agenda

• Sign-In Sheet
• Introduction
• Purpose of Washington County Re-Study
• NFIP Overview
• FEMA Map Modernization
• FEMA Compliance
• National Service Provider (NSP)
• Scoping Activities
• Re-Study Process
• Levees
• Community and FEMA Agreement Discussion (MOAs)

3
Map Mod Roles FEMA Contractors

• FEMA Headquarters
• Set National Policy
• Budget Requests
• LOMR Approval Signature
• Congressional Liaison
• FEMA Region VI
• Administrate Policy
• Manage IDIQ Contract Task Orders
• Manage RMC Task Order
• Outreach Public Awareness

4
Map Mod Roles FEMA Contractors

• National Service Provider - NSP
• Support FEMA Headquarters
• Procedure Memos
• GS
• Mapping Information Platform (MIP)
• LOMR Processing
• Library Data Storage
• Regional Management Center - RMC
• Support Region VI
• Issue Resolution (Engineering/GIS/Mapping)
• Receipt of Study Data
• Quality Assurance Audit
• Coordinate Project Management
• Post Preliminary Processing
• MIP Training and Data Entry
• Outreach and Public Awareness

5
Study Contractor Task Orders

• Scoping Task Order
• Scoping Meeting
• Base Map Ortho vs. Vector
• Proposed Panel Scheme
• Scoping Meeting Report
• GIS Shape File Showing DFIRM Mapping Needs for
  the County
• DFIRM and Flood Insurance Study Task Order
• Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map
• Update Flood Insurance Study Text
• Address mapping needs up to limit of budget
• Update Community on study negotiated scope
• Update Community on progress of study

6
FEMA Contact Information

• James Bennett, PE
• james.bennett_at_dhs.gov
• FEMA Region VI
• 800 North Loop 288
• Denton, TX 76201-3698
• [phone] Office
• [phone] Fax

7
Purpose of the Washington County Re-Study

• Update Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) and
  Flood Data
• Produce GIS-based Digital FIRMs
• Provide Guidance For
• Development in Flood Prone Areas
• Emergency Response
• Planning and Design throughout the County

8
NFIP Overview

• What Is It?
• Participating Communities Can Insure Against
  Flood Losses

9
NFIP Overview

• Participating Communities Can Insure Against
  Flood Losses
• Issue Permits
• Ensure that New Construction is Elevated to the
  Base Flood Elevation
• Prohibit Construction Within the Floodway
• Adopt the Flood Insurance Rate Map by the
  Community and Incorporate into Ordinance or Court
  Order

10
MapMod Paper to Digital Maps
11
FEMA Map Modernization

• Nationwide
• 5-Year Plan
• 1 Billion Budget

12
Texas Map Mod Studies
13
Map Mod Study Process
Flood Mapping Project Phases
Preliminary DFIRM
Post Preliminary Processing
Project Scoping
Community Coordination Mapping
Needs Assessment
Topographic Data Acquisition
DFIRM Production
O U T R E A C H
30 Days
1-8 Months
12-18 Months
30 Days
12-24 Months
30-90 Days
Time frames given are approximate and will vary
from study to study
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Post-Preliminary Phase

• Communities receive DFIRMs and FIS Report
• CCO Meeting
• Notice of 90 day appeals period
• Two weeks later Second notification stating the
  90 day appeal period begun
• After appeals, a six month compliance period
  commences

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Post-Preliminary Phase (cont.)

• During the 6 month compliance period, communities
  must adopt a new floodplain ordinance that
  recognizes the new maps
• If a community has not passed the ordinance
  within the 6 month compliance period, the
  community will be suspended from the program.
• Maps become effective at the end of the 6 month
  compliance period.

16
Flood Map Modernization Vision

• Network the nation using the MIP
• Leverage the use of Federal, State, Local
  Resources
• Reduce processing time and costs for map updates
• Increase partners, stakeholders, and users
  understanding of flood hazards and risks

17
FEMA Compliance

• Mapping and Ordinance Adoption Process
• Community officials awareness of study process
• Meetings
• Final adoption and/or revision of Floodplain
  Management Ordinance

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Compliance Contact

• FEMA Compliance Denton, Texas
• James Bennett [phone]
• Texas State NFIP Regional Representative
• TWDB Field Office/Houston, Texas
• Debbie Cahoon, CFM [phone]
• NFIP Representatives (Flood Insurance/agents
  lenders) - Houston, Texas
• Dorothy Martinez, CFM [phone]

19
RMC Contact Information

• Steve Altman, PE, CFM
• Steve.Altman_at_mapmodteam.com
• Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
• 101 S. Locust Street, Suite 300
• Denton, Texas 76201
• [phone] Office
• [phone] Fax

20
National Service Provider (NSP)

• Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
• Overall Program Management
• Numerous partners (IBM, etc)

21
Regional Management Center (RMC)

• Michael Baker Jr., Inc. in Denton, TX
• Support to the FEMA Region
• Project Management
• Map Needs Assessment
• Compliance
• Outreach / Public Awareness
• Post Preliminary Processing

22
Halff Associates, Inc. Study Contractor

• Dwayne Hamilton, PE, CFM
• dhamilton_at_halff.com
• Halff Associates, Inc.
• 3701 Kirby Drive
• Suite 860
• Houston, Texas 77098
• [phone] Office
• [phone] Fax

23
TWDB Contact Debbie Cahoon Houston
281-895-6555 Debbie.Cahoon_at_twdb.state.tx.us
24
Map Modernization 1834 Style (Pre-FIRM)
25
Map Modernization 2004 Style DFIRM Product
26
What and Why Are We Scoping?

• Information Search
• Coordination / Outreach
• Assess Community Mapping Needs

27
Scoping Activities

• Area 621 Sq. Mi.
• Density 50 Persons/Sq. Mi.

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Pertinent Data on Washington County

• 13 Existing FIRMs
• Average Panel Age
• Washington County 1977
• City of Brenham 1981
• City of Burton 1974
• Zone Types
• A 484
• AE 11
• Total 495
• LOMCs 19

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The Study Process

• Information Search
• Base Map and Terrain Data Acquisition
• Field Survey
• Hydrology
• Hydraulics
• Mapping
• Reporting (TSDN)
• Coordination /Outreach

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Base Mapping

• Local Provided Planimetrics
• USDA National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP)
• USGS Contours Supplemented with Local Data

Local High Resolution Data
USGS 7.5 Minute Quads
USGS DOQQ
31
Terrain Information

• Terrain Map Sources
• Local Data Effective FIRMs
• USGS Contour Maps 30 M DEMs
• LiDAR

USGS 7.5 Minute Quads
Local High Resolution Data
USGS 30M DEM
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DATUM NAVD 88 / NAD 83

• The majority of existing FIRM panels vertical
  datums
• National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD) 29
• Local Datum
• New DFIRM Panel datums will be standardized to
• Vertical - North America Vertical Datum of 1988
  (NAVD 88)
• Horizontal North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

33
Possible Mapping Products Available

• New Detailed Study
• Enhanced Approximate Study
• Redelineation of Existing Detailed Study
• Approximate Study (Zone A Refinement)
• Digital Conversion

34
New Detailed Study

• Field Surveys
• New Topo/Orthophoto
• Detailed Hydrologic and Hydraulic Modeling
• Floodway Computations
• Flood Profiles
• Calibrated to Historical Events
• Most Expensive Type of Study

35
Field Surveys
36
New Topography - LIDAR
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LIDAR Acquisition

• LIght Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
• Airborne Laser System
• Fixed Wing
• Helicopter
• Potential for High Level accuracy (1 foot range)

38
Hydrology
39
Hydraulics
40
Floodplain Mapping
41
Sample of Detail Study Stream

• Cross-Sections
• BFEs
• Floodways

42
Enhanced Approximate Study

• Limited Detailed Study
• No (or) Limited Structure Surveys
• No (or) Limited Floodways
• No (or) Limited Profiles
• Advantages
• Cost is Much Less Than Detailed Study
• More Streams Can Be Studied

43
Redelineation Streams

• Applies to Existing Detailed Study Streams (Zone
  AE)
• Vertical Datum Update from 1929 to 1988
• Flood Boundaries Mapped to the Best Available
  Topography

44
Zone AE Redelineation
45
Approximate Study

• Zone A Refinement
• Automated HH Procedures
• Boundaries Mapped to Best Available Topography

46
Sample of Existing Zone A
100-yr Boundary
Stream Centerline
47
Zone A Refinement
48
Digital Conversion

• Utilize the Existing Flood Zone Information
• Manually digitize the paper maps
• Advantages Low Cost Solution
• Disadvantages Boundaries may not agree with the
  best available topographic data

49
Incorporation of Engineering Studies by Others

• The study represents an improvement to the
  current effective study, but it is not a
  substitute for a LOMR.
• The study includes the 10-, 50-, 100-, and
  500-year flood frequencies and floodway for
  existing hydrology.
• The study includes complete and accurate
  technical documentation (topography, field
  surveys, horizontal and vertical datum, bridge
  data, as-built plans, digital workmaps, digital
  hydraulic and hydrologic models, LOMRs, etc.)
• The study incorporates all known LOMCs.
• Tie-ins between the effective and proposed
  mapping and profiles are seamless.

50
Incorporation of Engineering Studies by Others

• The proposed mapping should be geo-referenced or
  easily referenced to a known coordinate system.
• The study is signed and sealed by a registered
  Professional Engineer.
• The community certifies in writing that the study
  information has been formally reviewed and
  approved.
• The study complies with all community ordinances.
• The study can be defended by the City during the
  appeals period, and shall assume financial
  responsibility, if necessary, that may arise as a
  result of including the study in the DFIRM.

51
DFIRM Mapping
52
DFIRM Database
53
DFIRM Base Map Options
Vector Base Map
Ortho Base Map
54
DFIRM Vector vs. Ortho Based
Vector Based
Ortho Based
55
Washington County Existing FIRM Panel Layout
56
Washington County Proposed DFIRM Panel Layout
57
Technical Support Data Notebooks (TSDNs)

• Complete Documentation of Project
• All Data Collected
• All Analyses Assumptions

58
FIS Report

• Countywide Flood Insurance Study
• Text
• Profiles
• Data Tables

59
Community Partnering Agreement

• Community Partner Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
• Cooperative Technical Partners Program
  Partnership Agreement
• Flood Maps More Accurate Updated Faster
• Improved Hazard Identification and Risk
  Assessment
• Shared Best Practices

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Coordination/Outreach

• Scoping Meeting May 9, 2008
• Website www.halff-femastudy.com
• Hotline 1-877-HalffTX (425-3389)
• FEMA Compliance Toolkit
• Future Meetings

61
RMC Public Awareness

• Keeping Public Informed
• Public Awareness Materials
• Publications
• Point of Contact for Public Awareness

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What Can the Communities Do?

• Continue to provide technical data
• Continue to support the FEMA effort
• Sign MOA if you have not already
• Timely review and comments on Preliminary Maps
• Start Adoption Process Now!

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For More Information

• www.fema.gov

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Halff FEMA Re-Study Website Hotline
www.halff-femastudy.com Hotline 1(877) HALFF-TX
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Levees Protection with Risk

• Levees are designed to provide specific level of
  protection
• They can be overtopped or fail in larger flood
  events
• They require regular maintenance and periodic
  upgrades to retain their level of protection
• FEMA urges people to understand their flooding
  risk involving levees

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Levee Ownership

• FEMA does not own, operate, maintain or certify
  any levees
• FEMA can accredit a levee certification provided
  by others
• The levee owner can certify the design,
  construction, operation and maintenance of a
  levee
• Community is benefiting from the levee

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FEMA Requirements

• FEMAs certification requirements for Levee
  Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance
  to gain FEMA Accreditation.
• A. Certification Standard is 44 CFR 65.10
• Certification checklist is based on requirements
  from 44 CFR 65.10.
• Revised date is October 1, 1999.
• B. Procedure Memorandum No. 34 (PM
  34)-Certifcation Documents are available to
  submit within 30 days.
• Interim Guidance for Studies Including Levees
• August 22, 2005
• C. Procedure Memorandum No. 43 (PM 43)-Need time
  to gather certification documents-24 months
  allowed.
• Guidelines for Identifying Provisionally
  Accredited Levees
• September 25, 2006
• Revised March 16, 2007

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44 CFR 65.10 Highlights

• To be certifiable, the levee system must be owned
  and operated by a public entity
• The levee owner has the ultimate responsibility
  of certifying the levee
• Design and Construction requirements
• Freeboard, Foundation, etc.
• Operation and Maintenance requirements
• OM manual, maintenance records, etc.
• Federal Agency (USACE) who constructed levee can
  provide certification
• Levee must be certified/re-certified every time
  the map is changed

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44 CFR 65.10
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PM 34 Highlights

• Interim guidance to establish certification
  process (flowchart)
• Specifies that levee systems that are mapped by
  FEMA are designed, constructed, operated and
  maintained to standards (44 CFR 65.10)
• Requires obtaining verification that
  certification requirements are and continue to be
  met
• Requires that necessary certifications are
  provided by the responsible party

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PM 34
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PM 43 Highlights

• Created to prevent levee issues from holding up
  DFIRMs
• Allows 2 years to compile certification
  documentation
• Not allowed for any levee that requires any
  construction work to be done for certification
• Public versus Privately owned levees (PAL
  Scenario)
• PAL Agreement

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PM 43 and Guidance 25
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Levee Checklist
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FEMA Accreditation of Certification

• If adequate certification is provided and
  accepted, FEMA will accredit the levee as
  providing protection
• If levee certification is not provided, the area
  will be mapped with the levee NOT providing
  protection

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Ordinance Assistance

• Primary Resource TFMA
• FEMA Region VI
• Sample Model Ordinances
• Ordinance Checklist
• Suggestions for Higher Standards
• Application to join NFIP

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Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)

• Community Partner MOA
• Says that you know the study is occurring and
  will cooperate with FEMA
• This document is similar to the resolution that
  was originally signed by the community upon entry
  into the NFIP.

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Questions?
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FEMAFlood Insurance Study

• Washington County
• Scoping Meeting

May 9, 2008