In time, several types of flood maps and related products were developed to identify flood hazards in accordance with this directive. These products included detailed engineering studies of floodprone areas and maps depicting floodplain boundaries, flood elevations, zones of different levels of risk, and regulatory floodways.

Initially, paper map production methods were used to create the NFIP map inventory. With the development of computer-based geographic information system (GIS) technologies, however, paper map procedures have given way to digital production processes. As GIS technologies have advanced, the production of digital flood maps and related products also has advanced.

The advantages of digital maps over paper maps include the ability to present information in a variety of ways to support more powerful analysis, electronic access and transmission, and lower long-term production and maintenance costs.

FEMA, in collaboration with stakeholders, developed a strategy for Map Mod to leverage program resources through partnerships with other Federal agencies and State and local governments involved with the NFIP and flood hazard identification.

When Map Mod is complete, it will have developed:

·         Digital flood hazard data and maps for 92 percent of the U.S. population;
·         New, updated, or validated flood hazard data for 30 percent of the mapped stream miles;
·         Credible floodplain boundaries for 75 percent of the mapped stream and coastal miles;
·         Strong, effective partnerships with State and local governments and other Federal agencies;
·         A premier flood data collection and dissemination platform.

 

The Risk MAP vision seeks to:

·         Continue to focus on improving and maintaining flood hazard data and maps, which are the
     foundation of flood risk assessment and flood mitigation planning;
·         Deliver quality products and services to the right audience, using the right methods, at the
     right time;
·         Reduce loss of life and property through continuous improvement of mitigation plans; and
·         Increase local mitigation action.

The concept and progression of Risk MAP is best described as a lifecycle, with the purpose of constantly reducing losses to life and property. Flood mapping is used for risk assessments, which are incorporated into mitigation plans, where risk reduction measures are identified for future action. Future hazard identification requirements are developed, and the cycle starts anew. Key to the success of Risk MAP is better integration of components, effective communication with the various communities, leveraging of existing programs within the Risk Analysis Division of the FEMA

Mitigation Directorate, and increased process efficiencies.

For the past 5 years, the flood mapping program has focused on creating digital maps for areas of significant population and, in a limited manner, updating and improving flood depth accuracy (flood data updates) for areas of especially high risk. Hurricane Katrina and the summer 2008 flooding in the Midwest highlighted the fact that providing updated flood data for the Nation’s coasts and areas behind levees is critical. The Midwest flooding reemphasized the risks associated with levee-impacted inland areas throughout the country.

All U.S. coastal communities are subject to flooding, and many face huge risks. In Map Mod, FEMA improved methodologies for determining coastal flood hazards, recognizing the need for updated flood hazard data for these high-population, high-flood-risk areas. Also through Map Mod, modernized geospatial maps of coastal areas are being provided. However, the flood data for many of these maps are out of date. FEMA estimates that as much as 85 percent of the data may no longer reflect current conditions.

Although all areas were studied using proven coastal methodologies approved by FEMA and provide some degree of accuracy, these coastal analyses are, on average, more than 25 years old. U.S. coastlines have been changed by erosion, sea-level rise, and other environmental factors, and 25 years of additional records are now available. FEMA has a goal to use refined and improved coastal engineering methodologies to better reflect today’s conditions in these vulnerable communities.

The Nation also faces flood risk in communities partially protected by levee systems. To gain a better understanding of these risks, FEMA is leveraging work performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) National Levee Safety Program. Working hand in hand with USACE, FEMA is providing data collected through its mapping efforts for inclusion in the National Levee Database. In Risk MAP, flood maps for levee-impacted areas will be updated when levee owners provide the technical data needed to determine if the levees can be accredited. To issue updated FIRMs, FEMA will perform hydraulic modeling to analyze conditions with and without the effects of the levee systems. Where necessary, funding will be used to analyze and map interior drainage within the levee systems.

Other gaps in flood hazard data exist for areas where the landscape has been altered, where rainfall or storm surge data have been statistically different in the last decade from averages in previous decades, and where methods for estimating flood heights have advanced since the original studies were done. These significant needs will be addressed in Risk MAP through the modernized digital processes, program management infrastructure, and partnerships built during Map Mod. As with the efforts of all Federal programs, the level of FEMA’s efforts in Fiscal Year 2009 and beyond will be dependent on available resources.

A key goal of Map Mod has been to convert the NFIP paper map inventory to digital products and to replace the distribution of paper maps with digital delivery via the Internet. Beginning with flood maps distributed on or after October 1, 2009, FEMA will provide a single printed paper map to each mapped community and will end all other distribution of paper maps.  FEMA will continue to provide free digital map products and data to Federal, State, Tribal, and local NFIP stakeholders. Replacing paper map products with digital versions will save money and improve the usability of FEMA flood hazard data. For additional information on moving from paper to digital flood hazard information:  www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/dfm_ptd.shtm.

FEMA will continue to transform flood hazard data production processes. The focus will be on delivering digital flood hazard products cost-effectively and streamlining legacy processes that are no longer suitable in a digital environment. These process improvements will allow FEMA to deliver better products more cheaply and in ways that better meet the needs of NFIP stakeholders.

FEMA will also use the new capabilities provided by digital flood hazard products and tools to improve operations and integration across the Risk Analysis Division, Mitigation Directorate, and FEMA at large. This technology may allow FEMA to implement a geographic approach to mitigation, assess community risks more effectively and comprehensively, support better planning, evaluate the benefits of hazard mitigation projects, and support the emergency management mission of FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

FEMA will continue to collaborate with stakeholders to sustain the quality of digital flood hazard data and maps provided through Map Mod. Please visit the Risk MAP page [www.fema.gov/plan/ffmm.shtm] to learn more about the FEMA mapping, assessment, and planning strategy. If you have questions about any of the activities discussed here, please contact a Map Specialist at: FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.