FEMA’s Disaster Applications of 3D Terrain Data

Doug Bausch, FEMA Region VIII

Denver, CO

July 25th, 2014

Doug Bausch, FEMA Region VIII

Denver, CO

July 25th, 2014

Rapid Inundation Assessment• Obtain 3D

terrain

• Develop flood surface from model and/or field observations

• Subtract terrain from flood surface

Minot, ND 2011-Rapid Situational Awareness

Sandy, 2012: Field Observed Flood Surface

6

Sandy 2012: Expedited Assistance

-44K households identified as damaged and inaccessible-Over $130M in expedited assistance based on accurate and rapid flood depth information

NYC: 3DEP vs Low Resolution

Areas “flooded” at low resolution

8

Sandy, 2012: Analysis of NFIP Impacts

Flood depths assigned to 200,000+ policies

Integrated into request to increase borrowing authority –

$9.7 billion

Colorado 2013 FloodsImpacts:• 10 lives lost• Over 8,000 evacuated• Over $3B in losses• 138 communities with

damage

Colorado Flood 2013 – 3DEP Post Event Lidar

• Significant stream morphology changes

• Rare use of disaster funds ($2M) to purchase

• Partnership and expedited delivery

• Rapidly produced new floodplain mapping

Denver

Boulder

COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO

1/3rd of all households in Jamestown and Lyons were damaged700 households in Lyons without water or sewer

COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO

Infrastructure Progress

COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO

Infrastructure Progress-$60M to address imminent flood threat due to debris deposition and erosion

COLORADO FLOODING DR- 4145 - CO

Jamestown, CO: Pre- and Post-Floodplains

-Design guidance for permanent restoration-$2.1B infrastructure restoration

-includes $528M in mitigation and resiliency investments

Colorado 2013 Infrastructure Restoration

• Expedites response and recovery• Supports partnerships in

obtaining and expedited delivery

• Provides high quality accurate floodplain maps

• Supports sound decision-making and investments

• Helps support resilient communities

3DEP Disaster Applications Summary