Risk MAP and Resilience

Mari Radford, CFM, Mitigation PlannerAlison Kearns, CFM, Community Planner FEMA Region III

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Coastal Study in Region III

Coastal study occurred in VA, MD, DE, and PA• Approximately 30 project

areas in Virginia

Includes both regulatory and non-regulatory products• Flood Insurance Rate Maps

(R)• Flood Insurance Studies (R)• Flood Risk Maps (NR)• Flood Risk Reports (NR)• Flood Risk Datasets (NR)

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What’s available?

Information in the Flood Risk Maps, Datasets, and Reports include:• Depth Grids• Risk Assessments • Changes Since Last FIRM• Areas of Mitigation Interest

All will be available on the FEMA Map Service Center at msc.fema.gov.

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Coastal Resilience Workshops

Taking place from 2015-2016 in coastal areas in Virginia • PDC Level

Collaborative opportunity for local, regional, state and Federal partners to discuss information, products, and tools to increase resilience in vulnerable areas.

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Why is this even important?

Better Information about Risk

Better Understanding of Issues

Better Decision-Making

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But what IS resilience?

“The sustained ability of a community to withstand and recover from

adversity.”

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Achieving Resilience

Risk awareness Risk acceptance Access to good science and

reliable information NFIP (insurance) and

enforcement (minimums) Coordination and

communication among all stakeholders

Political will and commitment

Action

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Partners in Resilience

• Local Governments

• Planning District Commissions

• Non-governmental Organizations

• Universities

• Federal Partners

• Elected Officials

• Emergency Management

• Civic Groups

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Strategies for Resilience

Include but are not limited to-• Floodplain Management• Community Rating System• Planning

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Floodplain Management

Floodplain Management Higher Standards• Freeboard• Locally Identified SFHA• Setbacks• Expand Critical Facility

Definition• Cumulative SD/SI

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Community Rating System

Community Rating System (CRS) Recognizes good floodplain management

practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the NFIP

Goals of the program include:• Reduce flood damage to insurable property,• Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the

NFIP, and• Encourage a comprehensive approach to floodplain

management Outcome: Community resiliency and

sustainability

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Planning

Hazard Mitigation Plans

Comprehensive Plans

Adaptation Plans Transportation Plans Zoning/Building

Codes

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Resources for Resilience

FEMA is only one partner in resilience

Many other resources, tools, and programs out there to support community’s work towards resilience• Federal • State • Non-governmental• Academia

http://toolkit.climate.gov/

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Alright, so when are we resilient?

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Alison Kearns, CFMCommunity Planneralison.kearns@fema.dhs.gov

Contact:Mari Radford, CFMMitigation Plannermari.radford@fema.dhs.gov