Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (Insert Meeting Details)

Introduction -Initiated Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) -Studied flood affected streams in Northeast CO 1. Help protect life, health, and safety 2. Promote resilient communities State identified communities needed support identifying new risk 2013 floods changed risk

Why is this important? Updated Risk Information Flood events can have a devastating effect Mapped flood risk is not static Community Participates in National Flood Insurance Program Building requirements Insurance requirements Image 1: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1GCEA_enUS765US765&biw=1920&bih=965&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=september+2013+flood&oq=september+2013+flood&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i24k1.2996128.3000161.0.3001801.20.18.0.0.0.0.316.2798.0j8j3j2.13.0....0...1.1.64.psy-ab..7.13.2790...0j0i67k1j0i30k1.0.j5faUcb-wCk#imgrc=AS_4zb-9-qy98M:

Outline Introduction to CHAMP and Flood Hazard Mapping Roles and Methods Results, Timeline and Resources \ Acknowledgements & Discussion

What is the NFIP? Voluntary Program Allows homeowners to buy insurance based on Zones and be eligible for federal assistance Federal Program Overseen by FEMA and Partners Managed by Communities Enforced by lenders Founded because insurance companies could not afford to subsidize large floods with multiple damaged homes. Engineers determine risk Used to determine requirements Allows discount for less risk

What are Flood Insurance Rate Maps? Show Flood Risk 1% Annual Chance Flood 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Used to rate flood insurance Available Online: FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) FEMA National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Flood maps, known officially as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), show areas of high and moderate to low flood risk using flood risk boundaries. FIRMs are maintained by FEMA and partnering local governments. Communities and counties use the maps to set minimum building requirements for floodplains. Lenders and insurance agents use them to determine flood insurance requirements and rates. A 1% annual chance flood (or base flood) has a 1% annual chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The 1% annual chance flood risk boundary identifies areas that are expected to be inundated by the 1% annual chance flood. The 1% annual chance flood risk boundary shown on a FIRM is also called a Special Flood Hazard Area, where the NFIP’s floodplain management regulations must be enforced by the community as a condition of participation in the Program.

Outline Introduction to CHAMP and Flood Hazard Mapping Roles and Methods Results, Timeline and Resources Locals have access to current risk information to help make more informed decision resulting in more safer, more resilient communities. Hazards change Floodplain delineations are often outdated and incorrect Maps regularly updated across the country by FEMA, States, Communities The State of CO initiated CHAMP after the 2013 floods Changes in flood characteristics Community is active participant which means they are available for disaster assistance.  Have to manage certain aspects (Community) Building requirement Identification and communication of risk (changed or unchanged) Effective outreach strategy will help ensure every effort to make the process fair and open as possible Need community support in identifying impacted property owners Informing property owners comes from the community Impacts- know if residents are at risk for flood hazards, Flood Insurance Rate Maps that impact insurance rates (based on risk), regulation is related to the flood zone/floodway Acknowledgements & Discussion

Roles CHAMP Community Officials State (CWCB) FEMA Private Stakeholders Administer NFIP Communicate Risk and Changes to it Manage Construction Flood Risk Adaptation Enforcement of Regulations Identification of changed risk Leading & funding this study Community Assistance FEMA Partner Including new study on FIRMs Flood Risk Mapping NFIP Work with community officials to update information Local Community: Encourage community input to improve map accuracy Early adoption to promote health & safety of residents

Study Extents Discuss where study is being conducted

Do Results Depict Actual Flooding? Not mapping 2013 flood Used info from 2013 flood to inform new study Actual floods can see different results every time Dam breaks Bridge and culvert clogging Debris Models are based on conditions from topographic data and survey High level what goes into the different studies (Zone A, AE, AO, Floodway) Datasets and accuracy used (survey and topography) High level of Hydraulic & Hydrology models/methods

Study Details Results are mapped to fore ease of use Terrain Survey Hydrology Hydraulics Floodplains How much water?  Determined from rainfall, infiltration Not mapping 2013 flood hydrology [2013 Q vs. 100yr Q if available] Info from 2013 flood and others used along with historic rainfall, gage data, and land cover info Date Completed: XXX Date Approved: XXX Results are mapped to fore ease of use Description of results Zone A Zone AE Cross Section Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Floodway Enhanced models (Zone AE) Surface info not in topo data (i.e. culverts and bridges, submerged channel) Base models (Zone A) – No Survey Date Collected: XXX Date Approved: XXX Where water goes Used inputs to calculate water surface elevations (WSEL) 1D Models: Uses cross sections at specific interval 2D Models: Uses grid at specific interval Date Completed: XXX Date Approved: XXX Virtual Land Surface created from light detection and ranging (LiDAR) Represents a fixed point in time Date Collected: XXX Date Approved: XXX Overview 2013 Q vs 100yr Q (recurrence estimate)

Floodways Implications of Floodway vs. Floodplain Implications of a floodway vs floodplain Implications of Floodway vs. Floodplain

So… Am I at risk of flooding? BUT Line on a map Best engineering data and judgment used Scientific process allows for changes New information Changed information BUT You may still be at risk of flooding

Can results be changed? Technical data Mechanism Survey or topographic data New analysis Mechanism Appeals on preliminary maps Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) later Letter of Map Amendment later Will need elevation certificate

Outline Introduction to CHAMP and Flood Hazard Mapping Roles and Methods Results, Timeline and Resources Locals have access to current risk information to help make more informed decision resulting in more safer, more resilient communities. Hazards change Floodplain delineations are often outdated and incorrect Maps regularly updated across the country by FEMA, States, Communities The State of CO initiated CHAMP after the 2013 floods Changes in flood characteristics Community is active participant which means they are available for disaster assistance.  Have to manage certain aspects (Community) Building requirement Identification and communication of risk (changed or unchanged) Effective outreach strategy will help ensure every effort to make the process fair and open as possible Need community support in identifying impacted property owners Informing property owners comes from the community Impacts- know if residents are at risk for flood hazards, Flood Insurance Rate Maps that impact insurance rates (based on risk), regulation is related to the flood zone/floodway Acknowledgements & Discussion

What is the Confidence of Results? Survey accuracy – Within 5 cm @ 95% confidence level. Topographic data accuracy – Within 0.88’ @ 95% confidence level Hydrology accuracy – Varies based on input data (precipitation, etc.) and model 1%+ recurrence interval Hydraulic accuracy – Product of input data Reviews Multiple engineers Community leaders FEMA contractors When conducting this type of study, we typically get questions regarding the accuracy of the data used. As described earlier, there are two different data sets that we use to model the ground. Survey has the highest accuracy and is typically within 5 centimeters. This is very costly data to produce and time consuming. It is obtained where necessary, but studies of this size would never be finished if all data collected was survey. Plus by the time survey was finished, things would have already changed upstream. Therefore, lidar was collected everywhere else. For this study, the ground points are typically within 0.88 feet, and even better for the most part. This is very good accuracy for this type of data and study. Lidar is a good way to collect a large amount of ground data over a large area quickly and relatively cost effectively. Hydrology can vary in accuracy depending on the available data and the type of study conducted for the stream. It is a statistical analysis, so there is always a small amount of uncertainty with the results. The best way to tell the accuracy of the hydrology in the area is to look at the 1%+ elevation calculated for that stream. It will be published on the profiles for the stream. Hydraulics is typically based on equations that are accurate, but dependent on the input data. Models are based on a specific set of assumptions and data, so there is always opportunity that floods will behave differently. There are situations that cannot be predicted such as debris blockage. Multiple reviews are initiated with these studies to make sure assumptions and processes used are in line with industry standards and utilize local knowledge to make sure results are appropriate. These are typically conducted by professionals knowledgeable in hydrology and hydraulics. For this study, up to two engineering peer reviews have been conducted and an independent review by a 3rd party professional has been conducted. Community leaders have also been given the chance to review the data and communicate any concerns or comments with the study. Finally, FEMA has a team of contractors review the data before accepting it for use on FIRMs.

Upcoming Project Milestones Community Leader Reviews Phase X: Spring 2017 FEMA Reviews Phase X: Spring 2018 Preliminary FIRMs Released Phase X: Late 2018 Appeal Period and Resolution Phase X: Summer 2019 Effective FIRMs Released Phase X: Winter 2019/2020 Review next steps Appeal period FEMA’s review of appeals Effective date

Homeowner’s Insurance Where flood risk changed Requirements aren’t new Risk just updated Increased in some areas, decreased in others FEMA requires for federally backed mortgages in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) Zone A, AE, AH, AO Required for federal assistance after floods. New Zones go into effect with effective FIRMs, not before Grandfather information Banks can require anywhere Contact and main resources later

Development Implications Changes Since Last FIRM (CSLF) Requirements aren’t new Risk just updated Increased in some areas, decreased in others Community ordinance specifies what is required. Different requirement in a floodway and a non-floodway. Community may adopt as best available data Use the most restrictive of old and new until final Contact floodplain Administrator

Other Resources Contacts (Shown on last slide) Flood Smart Local Floodplain Administrator State Study Leads NFIP Representative FEMA Area Representative Flood Smart www.floodsmart.gov (888) 379-9531 CWCB Flood Page - cwcb.state.co.us/water-management/flood/Pages/main.asp Website (next) Your local floodplain manager can be contacted for most questions related to flood insurance rate maps. You can research the purchase of flood insurance through the NFIP’s FloodSmart.gov website, which has tools to help you determine policy coverage, estimate rates, and find an agent based on your address. You can call FloodSmart toll free at 1.888.379.9531 for general questions about flooding and the NFIP. Within FEMA Region VIII, please Contact Erin May, NFIP Regional Manager, for insurance questions at 303.550.3658 or by email at emay@nfip-iservice.com. For Colorado, the CWCB Flood page also provides information on grants, local flood issues, and links to information on flood insurance at cwcb.state.co.us/water-management/flood/Pages/main.aspx. For fact sheets related to flood insurance studies, see www.fema.gov/fact-sheets. Website (next)

Website - Interactive Maps

Website Resources Flyers, FAQs, Fact Sheets, Links

Communication & Outreach General study information fact sheet available General NFIP/Insurance fact sheet available This presentation available Updates/highlights

Conclusion Please Review Information and ask questions Data will be used for Flood Insurance Rate Maps Floodplains are not “Effective” until FIRMs are released Results show risk! Updates/highlights

Break Out for Discussions Thuy Patton CWCB Floodplain Mapping Coordinator thuy.patton@state.co.us Stephanie DiBetitto CWCB Community Assistance Coordinator Stephanie.dibetitto@state.co.us David Sutley FEMA PM David.sutley@fema.dhs.gov [Community FPM] [Title] [email] Erin May NFIP Regional Manager emay@nfip-iservice.com Independent breakout sessions to review draft maps Erin May, NFIP Regional Manager, for insurance questions at 303.550.3658 or by email at emay@nfip-iservice.com