FLOOD STUDYChemung County, NYFEMA REGION IINovember 18, 2010

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Agenda Introductions

Objectives

Map Modernization (MapMod) Program Overview

Chemung County MapMod Update

Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program Overview

Chemung Watershed Study Introduction

Milestones

Community Engagement

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Introductions FEMA Region II

• Scott Duell, Risk Analysis Branch Chief

• Mary Colvin, Floodplain Management and Flood Insurance Branch Chief

• Alan Springett, Senior Engineer, Risk Analysis Risk Assessment Lead

• Adie Koby, Program Specialist

• Bo Juza, Regional Program Management Lead

• Andrew Martin, Regional Support Center Coordinator

• Tolga Yilmaz, Regional Support Center Deputy Coordinator

• John Dromsky-Reed, Mapping Partner, MapMod

• Milver Valenzuela, Mapping Partner, Risk MAP

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Baltimore District• Dan Risley, Hydraulic Engineer, Engineering Division

• George Bielen, Operations Manager, Susquehanna River Project, Operations Division

• Leon Skinner, Construction Service Representative, Operations Division

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC)• William Nechamen, New York State Floodplain Coordinator

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Objectives

Objectives

• To provide an overview of Chemung County’s mapping project status and deliver draft maps

• To transition from MapMod to Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment, Planning)

• To promote community engagement and enhance capability to effectively manage flood risk

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MapMod Program Overview Prior to 2003, more than 70 percent of the nation’s

flood maps were at least 10 years old. In Chemung County, with few exceptions, the communities' flood maps dated back to the 1980s

Congress appropriated funds in 2003 and directed FEMA to develop and implement the MapMod program, which:

• Created county-wide digital maps

• Utilized more current data to update maps

• Developed a new platform to convert from paper to digital format

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Chemung County MapMod Update Original scope of Chemung County study

• County-wide DFIRM (78 panels), including 17 incorporated communities

• Development of county-wide digital topography from LiDAR (2003 and 2005 collections)

• Re-delineation/re-use of 110 stream miles of effective profiles

• New approximate analysis for 153 stream miles

• Field survey of Elmira Levee System and levee freeboard analysis

• Preliminary DFIRM delivery scheduled for November 30, 2010

Adjusted scope of Chemung County study

• Production of draft “work” maps instead of preliminary maps (non-regulatory) Region II delivering draft maps to Chemung County communities

providing update on current status of project

• Facilitates project transition to Risk MAP

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Risk MAP Program Overview Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) is a new

FEMA program that provides communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better protect their citizens

The Risk MAP program aims to achieve these goals through new strategies and products that address: Project prioritization – State and local input (2005 scoping

meetings; 2008 letter Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board; and 2010 community meetings)

Elevation data acquisition Watershed study approach Engineering and mapping Risk assessment, mitigation planning support Risk communications

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Risk MAP

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Risk MAP Vision

Through collaboration with State, Tribal, and local entities, Risk MAP will delivery quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property. Risk MAP will focus on products and services beyond the traditional Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). FEMA will work with officials to help use flood risk data and tools to effectively communicate risk to citizens and enable communities to enhance their corresponding mitigation plans.

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Chemung Watershed Overview Chemung Watershed Study

• Community involvement led to better understanding of the community needs

• Formal growth, maturity, and additional resources of the program allowed modification of the existing project to deliver Risk MAP

Current FIS Status• Draft-prelim DFIRMs are available as work maps for review by community officials

• FEMA has initiated additional detailed studies of 57 stream miles in Chemung County as a result of the levees’ status and other concerns presented by the County

• The FIS has been placed on hold pending completion and incorporation of the data from the additional studies

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Chemung Watershed Study

Chemung Affected Panels

Planned - Pending Finalization

LegendProposed Study

County Boundary

Watershed Boundary

RedelineationNew Detailed StudyNew Approximate Study

Proposed Study Streams within

Chemung County Mileage Affected Communities

Bentley Creek 1.5Town of Ashland, Village of Wellsburg

Chemung River 12.8

Town of Ashland, Town of Elmira, City of Elmira, Town of Southport, Village of Wellsburg

Cuthrie Run 3.5 Town of Big Flats

Newtown Creek 13.4Town of Horseheads, Village of Horseheads

Prospect Creek 3.3Town of Horseheads, Village of Horseheads

Seeley Creek 10.7Town of Ashland, Town of Southport

Sing Sing Creek 10.4 Town of Big Flats, Town of Catlin

Planned Pending Finalization (FY11 streams)

South Creek 1.8 Town of SouthportNorth Branch Newtown Creek 1.8

Town of Horseheads and Town of Veteran

Newtown Creek 0.7 Town of Horseheads

Hoffman Brook 5Town of Big Flats, City of Elmira, Town of Elmira

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Chemung Watershed Study Elevation Data Acquisition

Chemung County LIDAR collected in 2005

Remainder of watershed will be collected in 2011

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Discovery Discovery is the process of data mining, collection, and analysis with

the goal of initiating a flood risk or mitigation project or risk discussions within a watershed, which includes:

• Data Collection Historical flooding information Existing flood hazard data Mitigation activities Hazard risk assessments, for example, vulnerable assets Mitigation strategies

• Collaboration Communities Regional planning entities Non-governmental organizations State agencies Other Federal agencies

Chemung Watershed’s Discovery process will be initiated in early 2011

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Flood Risk Assessment Risk MAP will provide state and community officials with three Flood

Risk Products:• Flood Risk Report

• Flood Risk Database

• Flood Risk Map

These are designed to help communities:• Gain a better understanding of flood risk and its potential impact on communities

and individuals

• Take mitigation actions to reduce risk

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Traditional products are regulatory and subject to statutory due-process requirements

Risk MAP products are non-regulatory and are not subject to statutory due-process requirements

Program Product ComparisonsTraditional Regulatory ProductsTraditional Regulatory Products Non-Regulatory ProductsNon-Regulatory Products

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Data Fields Include Example Data Values

Old Study Date e.g. 1985

Old Model Type(s) e.g. HEC-1 / HEC-2

Old Zone Type e.g. Zone A

Old Topography e.g. USGS 10-ft

New Study Info/Methods Dates, Models, etc.

New Study Zone e.g. Zone AE

New Topography e.g. LiDAR 2-ft

New Study Engineering Factors / Changes

e.g. new structures, gages, topo, landuse, etc.

Estimated Structures e.g. 9

Estimated Population e.g. 27

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Flood Depth Grids Depth Grid Calculated as Difference between WSE and Ground

XSXS

XSXS

DepthDepth

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HAZUSMulti-Hazard Estimation of Losses Dollar Losses

• Residential Loss

• Commercial Loss

• Other Asset Loss

Percent Damage• Evaluates Building Stock

• Structure and Content Considerations

Business Disruption• Considers Total Occupancy Tables

• Considers Lost Income and Wages

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Hazard Mitigation Planning Coordinated

and participativ

e Planning Process

Identify hazards that can affect the

jurisdiction

Assess the risks from

these hazards

Develop strategy

to mitigate the risks

Adopt the plan and

implement the

mitigation strategy

Refer to the Plan &

Keep it Current

Risk Map and Mitigation Planning • Local hazard mitigation plans must be

updated every five (5) years.

• Use new Risk Map information to update local HMP.

• Flood Hazard Profile

• Risk Assessment

• Mitigation StrategyMitigation Planning

Cycle

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Risk Communication Federal/State/Local goals:

• To ensure safer communities and reduce risk to life and property

• To effectively communicate risk and increase public awareness, leading citizens to make informed decisions regarding their risk

Key factors contributing to successful achievement of these goals are:

• Community engagement and exchange of flood risk information

• Effective collaboration through partnerships

• Strategic communications plan development

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Risk MAP Review

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Milestones Fall 2006: Chemung County-wide Flood

Insurance Study/Flood Insurance Rate Maps funded

Fall 2010: Draft Chemung County Flood Maps delivered

Summer 2012: Preliminary Risk MAP products tentatively scheduled for delivery

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Community Engagement FEMA is committed to:

• Collaborating closely with communities within Chemung County to accurately portray risk

• Engaging the community throughout the project timeline

• Using the best and most recent data and information available

Opportunities for collaboration:• Project Charter/Cooperating Technical Partnership

• GIS capabilities

• Public/private partnerships

• Education and outreach Strategic communications plan development Information materials development and dissemination Media relations Training Web site and social media links

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Resources

FEMA: www.fema.gov

Floodsmart, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): www.floodsmart.gov

Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning Partners: www.RAMPP-team.com

NFIP Reform: www.fema.gov/business/nfip/nfip_reform.shtm

National Committee on Levee Safety: www.nfrmp.us/ncls

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NFIP Coordinator

New York State Office of Emergency Management