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First Street Foundation Develops New Flood Factor Model |
On June 29, 2020, the non-profit First Street Foundation introduced Flood Factor, a new model calculating flood risk for individual properties across the U.S. (contiguous 48 states), with a flood score available for every address. First Street created this new tool as a way for homeowners and potential buyers to evaluate any given property's flood risk. The tool also allows users to find a property's current and future risk of flooding, learn if it has flooded in the past, and understand how flood risks may be affected by climate change. The tool also allows the user to receive wider statistics for their ZIP code, county, and state. The model results were also summarized in First Street's associated report, The First National Flood Risk Assessment.
The model represents the culmination of years of research and development made possible by building upon existing knowledge and peer reviewed scientific applications regularly used in the identification of flood risk. More than 80 scientist, technologists and experts from the fields of climatology, hydrology and statistics were utilized to create the model. This effort was undertaken with the goal of making flood risk transparent, easy to understand, informative, and available to all. While other hydraulic and hydrologic models show refined risks of flooding in certain areas, this model provides complete coverage across the U.S. at 3-meter resolution. The model extends into areas that have no previous flood modeling and even areas that do not have recorded hydrologic data. As a result, there is increased visibility into new regions of the country.
Although the new model was developed to provide easy access to flood risk data, others feel that providing data at the individual property level will lower property values and could worsen inequality in America by discouraging investment in low-income communities that also face significant flood risk.
According the the new report (see pages 33-35 for Connecticut data and analysis), the new model found that FEMA flood insurance rate maps identified 60,400 properties at substantial flood risk in Connecticut, but the First Street model identified 106,700 properties. By 2050, the model showed 117,000 Connecticut properties at a substantial flood risk. According to the new model, Bridgeport leads all coastal communities in the state with the greatest number of properties at risk, followed by Stamford and Norwalk. West Haven presents the greatest relative growing flood risk, followed by Groton and New London. Greenwich has the greatest proportion of properties at risk, followed by Branford, East Haven, and Westport.
In addition to a an analysis of existing conditions, the First Street model incorporated 2050 sea level rise projections from the United Nations International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Factoring in how flood risk will change over the next 30 years, the model found another 1.6 million U.S. properties will be at 1% annual risk of flooding by 2050.
While this new model can aid current and potential property owners to be aware of flood risks, the FEMA flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) remain the authorized regulatory product that must be used by municipalities to enforce a local floodplain ordinance or regulations, by lending institutions to determine if a property is located in the floodplain associated with a mortgage or other home loan (and thereby requiring flood insurance as a condition of that loan), by insurance agents when writing flood policies, by surveyors when completing elevation certificates, and by engineers and other design professionals when designing buildings or infrastructure projects. |
New Videos & Training - 21st Century Resilient Business
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The CTDEEP Pollution Prevention (P2) program has developed two new videos that highlight what a business and a facility located in a floodplain are doing to be more resilient. In these videos, links below, you will see site visits to these two floodplain locations along the Connecticut shoreline and find out what changes they are making towards becoming more disaster resilient. If your floodplain business or facility handles hazardous materials, chemicals or waste, these videos offer ideas and examples that can be incorporated at your site.
The U.S. Naval Submarine Base is an outstanding example of preparedness. Some of the actions they have taken include elevating equipment and materials, using floodgates and having a plan of action. (5:02 minutes, subtitled)
A local full-service marina and boat repair business has implemented a variety of actions to protect the environment including a daily walk-through, connecting with local emergency responders and more. (4:36 minutes, subtitled)
Coming soon, available late August 2020, CTDEEP P2 has developed an online training module entitled The 21st Century Resilient Business: How Managing Your Chemicals Can Help Your Business Weather the Storm. This free, 20 minute online training course will be useful for a variety of businesses that use or sell chemicals and store hazardous waste on-site. It provides information on how to mitigate the impacts of a natural hazard, save money, and prevent risks to human health and the environment from toxic chemicals. Topics covered include tools and resources to assess if your facility is at risk during a storm, using best management practices to be more resilient, and the importance of reducing chemicals on-site and switching to less toxic ones. It includes examples of actions some Connecticut facilities/businesses have already taken. A link to the training will be posted soon on the CTDEEP P2 Chemical Management and Climate Resilience webpage. Mark your calendar to check back soon for this training and also explore the webpage for other available resources.
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ASFPM Publishes Flood Risk Guide for Elected Officials
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The guide is written specifically to help elected officials gain a comprehensive understanding of the range of choices that are available as they evaluate how to prepare for, and respond to, flood events in their communities. Elected officials, including mayors, council and commission members, judges and other board members, have a vested responsibility to protect and strengthen their communities. While billed as a guide for elected officials, the publication is also a useful tool for other community officials, such as planners, zoning enforcement officers, and those involved with floodplain management. Community officials interested in sharing this publication with their local elected officials can provide this summary flyer. 
Flooding and Flood Risk in Your Community Preparing For and Recovering From Floods Communicating with Citizens About Flooding
Why Do Communities Manage Floodplains? The Basics of Flood Risk The Basics of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Insurance Policies
What Makes An Effective Local Floodplain Management Program?
Strengthening Your Local Floodplain Management Program
Success stories from communities around the U.S. that have successfully tackled flood mitigation
ASFPM published this new guide as part of its mission to promote education, policies and activities that mitigate current and future losses, costs and human suffering caused by flooding. Founded in 1977, ASFPM had over 18,000 members in 2019, including members in 37 state chapters, including our local state chapter, the Connecticut Association of Flood Managers (CAFM). ASFPM and CAFM support professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, flood preparedness and flood warning and recovery. Members represent local, state and federal government agencies, private consulting firms, academia, the insurance industry and lenders. |
| Building Resilient Infrastructure & Communities (BRIC) |
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BRIC will support states, local communities, tribes and territories as they undertake hazard mitigation projects, reducing the risks they face from disasters and natural hazards. The BRIC program aims to categorically shift the federal focus away from reactive disaster spending and toward research-supported, proactive investment in community resilience. FEMA anticipates BRIC funding projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to partnerships, such as shared funding mechanisms, and/or project design. For example, an innovative project may bring multiple funding sources or in-kind resources from a range of private and public sector stakeholders or offer multiple benefits to a community in addition to the benefit of risk reduction. Through BRIC, FEMA will continue to invest in a variety of mitigation activities with an added focus on infrastructure projects and community lifelines.
FEMA will offer webinars, listed below, covering an overview of the NOFO, an overview of the NOFO for tribal nations, and discussing common grant application pitfalls and how to avoid them. Register for any of the webinars listed below here.
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- NOFO Overview - August 18, 20 & 25 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- NOFO Overview for Tribal Applicants - August 27 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
- Avoiding Application Pitfalls - September 1 & 2 at 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
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| Flood Mitigation Measures for Multi-Family Buildings |
In October 2019, FEMA released Flood Mitigation Measures for Multi-Family Buildings (FEMA P-2037). This publication provides guidance for building owners, designers, investors, builders/contractors, institutional partners, housing agencies and residents, and property and facility managers on flood risk evaluation and mitigation of large multi-family buildings located within floodplains, particularly in urban areas. The publication is also useful for local officials responsible for enforcing floodplain management regulations or building codes.
The focus of the publication is mid-rise and high-rise buildings, although many of the approaches could be applied to low-rise buildings. To help develop and implement a comprehensive mitigation approach, this publication describes the steps and process for developing and applying a mitigation strategy by describing the floodplain management regulatory framework, the process for determining flood risk, potential mitigation measures to address that risk, and information on flood insurance considerations. This publication also provides example scenarios of mitigation strategies for existing multi-family buildings.
A two-page overview is also available to help communicate key topics from the publication. Free copies of the publication are also available via the FEMA Publications Warehouse by calling (800) 480-2520, Monday - Friday between 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, by fax at (719) 948-9724, or by emailing your request to [email protected]. Please provide the title, publication number, and desired quantity, along with your name, address, and daytime telephone number.
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| Sign Up for FEMA Email Notifications |
| FEMA's Email Update system allows subscribers to select to receive email notifications and updates on a variety of topics, including disaster declarations, building science, hazard mitigation grants, training opportunities, flood maps, and public notices. |
Softening Our Shorelines
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In March 2020, the National Wildlife Federation published Softening Our Shorelines, exploring the topic of living shorelines. A long history of coastal development, coastal erosion, and storm impacts has led to the armoring of our shorelines with sea walls, breakwaters, riprap, and levees. Hardened shorelines can complicate coastal adaptation needs, alter natural ecosystems, and may be counterproductive in the face of sea level rise. In contrast, living shorelines such as marshes, dunes and oyster reefs, can provide the same shoreline protection while providing ecological and community benefits, such as fish and wildlife habitat, improved water quality, and recreational opportunities.
Softening Our Shorelines is designed to promote the broader application of living shorelines across the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. The National Wildlife Federation partnered with the Coastal States Organization (CSO) to review the use of living shorelines across these regions and analyze policies and permitting requirements that may provide incentives-or barriers-to the broader use of these ecologically friendly shoreline protection techniques. The report provides a state-by-state summary of policies relevant to living shorelines and offers recommendations and best practices for how federal and state agencies can promote the increased application of living shorelines.
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Training Opportunities
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NFIP & CRS WEBINARS
NFIP-related training webinars are available through STARR, a FEMA contractor. Below is a list of upcoming webinars. To register, go to the NFIP training website and click on the "Upcoming" tab. When asked during registration what FEMA Region you are in, please reply "1".
- August 18, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: The Role of the Community CRS Coordinator
- August 19, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Activity 450 Watershed Management
- August 20, 2020, 1:00pm - National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Basics
- August 27, 2020, 1:00pm - Tools for Determining Base Flood Elevation (BFE)
- September 15, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Preparing An Annual Re-certification
- September 16, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Changes to Activity 310 Elevation Certificates (EC)
- October 13, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Changes in CRS, 2021 Addendum to CRS Manual
- October 14, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: CRS & Substantial Damage Properties Mgmt Plans
- November 17, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Changes in CRS, 2021 Addendum to CRS Manual
- November 18, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Activity 370 Flood Insurance Promotion
- December 15, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: Changes in CRS, 2021 Addendum to CRS Manual
- December 16, 2020, 1:00pm - CRS: CRS & Substantial Damage Properties Mgmt Plans
ASSOCIATION OF STATE FLOODPLAIN MANAGERS (ASFPM)
The ASFPM Training and Knowledge Center offers webinars and an online university as a professional development resource for floodplain management professionals.
This 15 minute educational video highlights flooding scenarios within our state along with the social and economic impacts of flooding, and opportunities for mitigation. The video aims to increase the knowledge base of municipal officials to make informed decisions and effective choices supporting resilience. The general public and other stakeholders will also find the video valuable.
This 5 minute video highlights how the U.S. Naval Submarine Base is an outstanding example of preparedness and shows some of the actions they have taken include elevating equipment and materials, using floodgates and having a plan of action in order to be more flood resistant. This 5 minute video highlights a local full-service marina and boat repair business which has implemented a variety of actions to protect the environment and be more flood resistant, including a daily walk-through and connecting with local emergency responders.
TRAINING FOR MUNICIPAL INLAND WETLAND AGENTS
Visit the CTDEEP inland wetlands agents training webpage to access the comprehensive online training program, continuing education workshops, archived training material, training videos, and newsletter for municipal inland wetland agents.
RESTORATION WEBINAR SERIES
The Restoration Webinar Series, hosted by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), is a venue for disseminating new approaches, best management practices and innovative restoration techniques to some of our nation's greatest restoration challenges. The series covers a broad spectrum of topics including implementing restoration projects, project monitoring and evaluation, permitting, and regional restoration planning.
NOAA DIGITAL COAST VIRTUAL LEARNING
CONFERENCES
June 27-30, 2021: National Flood Conference, Washington, DC.
FEMA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE
The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) is located at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. EMI serves as the national center for emergency management training of federal, state and local government officials. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person training has been suspended until at least October 1, 2020. Please consult the EMI website for current status of when in person classes will resume.
EMI also offers free Independent Study courses on various aspects of the NFIP aimed at community officials, surveyors, insurance agents, and claims adjusters. These web-based courses are offered at no cost and can be taken at your own pace. Below is a sample of courses available. Independent study courses are also available for other topics in emergency management, hazard mitigation planning, disaster response and dam safety.
IS-10.a Animals in Disasters: Awareness & Preparedness
IS-11.a Animals in Disasters: Community Planning
IS-30.b Mitigation eGrants System for the Subgrant Applicant
IS-42 Social Media in Emergency Management
IS-111.a Livestock in Disasters
IS-212.b Introduction to Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA)
IS-251.a Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) for Alerting Administrators
IS-273 How to Read a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
IS-274 How to Read a Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
IS-276 Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA) Fundamentals
IS-277 Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA): Entry Level
IS-279.a Introduction to Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures
IS-280 Overview: Engineering Principles & Practices for Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures
IS-284 Using the Substantial Damage Estimator 2.0 Tool
IS-284.a Using the Substantial Damage Estimator 3.0 Tool
IS-285 Substantial Damage Estimator for the Floodplain Administrator
IS-318 Mitigation Planning for Local and Tribal Communities
IS-324.a Community Hurricane Preparedness
IS-366.a Planning for the Needs of Children in Disasters
IS-386 Introduction to Residential Coastal Construction
IS-393.a Introduction to Hazard Mitigation
IS-394.a Protecting Your Home or Small Business From Disaster
IS-552 The Public Works Role in Emergency Management
IS-554 Emergency Planning for Public Works
IS-556 Damage Assessment for Public Works
IS-558 Public Works and Disaster Recovery
IS-559 Local Damage Assessment
IS-634 Introduction to FEMA's Public Assistance Program
IS-727 Floodplain Management and Protection of Wetlands
IS-1100.a Increased Cost of Compliance
IS-1101 Basic Agent Tutorial
IS-1102 Theory of Elevation Rating
IS-1103 Elevation Certificate for Surveyors
IS-1104 NFIP Claims Review for Adjusters
IS-1105 EC Made Easy: Elevation Certificate Overview
IS-1106 FEMA Mapping Changes
IS-1107 Adjuster Customer Service
IS-1108 Insuring Condominiums
IS-1109 Understanding Basement Coverage
IS-1110.a Writing Commercial Exposures
IS-1111 Introduction to Commercial Claims
IS-1112 Introduction to Flood Claims
IS-1113 Coastal Barrier Resources Act
IS-1119 Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) & Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F)
IS-1120 Letters of Map Revision (LOMR)
IS-2001 Threat and Hazard Identification Risk Assessment (THIRA)
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Visit the DEEP website at www.ct.gov/deep. Published by the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse, Land and Water Resources Division. Editor: Diane Ifkovic, State National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Coordinator, email: [email protected].
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 The Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer that is committed to complying with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Please contact us at (860) 418-5910 or [email protected] if you; have a disability and need a communication aid or service; have limited proficiency in English and may need information in another language; or if you wish to file an ADA or Title VI discrimination complaint. |
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