Keywords
Citation
(1999), "FEMA will launch pilot mapping program", Disaster Prevention and Management, Vol. 8 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/dpm.1999.07308cab.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
FEMA will launch pilot mapping program
FEMA will launch pilot mapping program
Keywords Floods, Insurance
During the past 30 years, thousands of miles of flood plain have been carefully mapped and analysed under FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These studies have affected local zoning, mitigation policy, and flood insurance coverage. However, in many areas, the floodplains are changing faster than either FEMA or the participating communities can update the information. Urbanisation, new land uses, and natural forces such as erosion and siltation have drastically altered floodplains, and many new areas are susceptible to floods but remain unmapped.
The cost of updating the nation's flood insurance studies could range as high as $800 million, and addressing the backlog of studies and revisions would require FEMA to divert personnel and resources from other important programs, such as disaster response, recovery, emergency preparedness, and mitigation. Thus, FEMA is establishing a new program, Co-operating Technical Communities (CTC), to ensure a high standard of quality and program compliance among communities that have both the interest in and capability of performing map updates.
Currently, the consulting firm of Dewberry and Davis, which has served as a technical assistance contractor for the NFIP since 1974, is developing guidelines and specifications for the CTC regarding preparation and maintenance of digital and standard flood insurance rate maps and other aspects of the mapping process. Dewberry and Davis will also co-ordinate assistance, develop selection criteria for CTC candidates, create a public awareness program, and develop training materials. The first agreements will be made with pilot communities this year.
For more information on this project, contact Allen Groover, Dewberry & Davis, 8401 Arlington Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22031-4666. Tel: (703) 849 0100; Fax: (703) 849 0118; WWW: http://www.dewberry.com
(Natural Hazards Observer, March 1999.)