The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Robert Billings, PE, PH, CFM Flood Mitigation Project Manager Charlotte-Mecklenburg Storm Water Services May 18, 2011 Briar & Little Sugar Creek Watersheds ASFPM – Louisville, KY Draft Floodplain Maps

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Mecklenburg County North Carolina Mecklenburg County includes the City of Charlotte and the towns of Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill, and Pineville (8 NFIP Communities) Land Area: 549 square miles

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED!

Local Flood Mapping  Current maps are result of County- wide FIS completed in February 4, 2004 at a cost of $2,000,000  350 miles of detailed study streams  32 watersheds  FEMA and Community flood fringe and floodway  Data reproduced in state-wide format effective March 2, 2009  182 panels, paper and digital forms  Remapping began in 2007 on two basins, expanded in 2008 to include the majority of the remainder of the county

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Public Meetings  Charlotte-Mecklenburg and draft flood map meetings  New Technology  A different approach to public meetings Using Technology to Involve the Public in the Remapping Process

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Meeting Purpose Gather public input on draft Floodplain Maps Gather public input on draft Floodplain Maps Show new Risk Communication Products Show new Risk Communication Products Show how information can be used Show how information can be used Increase understanding of flood risk Increase understanding of flood risk “Sandwich Approach” Land Use Task Force Draft Floodplain Mapping Open House Flood Insurance Rate Maps (Compliance Period)

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Why Floodplain Maps Change Flood Risk Changes Over Time TechnologicalAdvancements Natural & Man Made Land Changes ClimatologicalChanges Extended Historic Rainfall Records Changes in Rain Intensity, Duration, Frequency, etc. Better Data Improved computer models Enhanced Map Products Natural Geomorphic Stream Changes Development within the Watershed

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Floodplain Mapping History  Protecting Life and Property  Community Sustainability & Resiliency  Communicate & Reduce Flood Risk Why are “Floodplains” Mapped? Flood Insurance Flood Insurance Regulate New Development Regulate New Development Flood Preparedness Flood Preparedness Planning Planning Mitigation Mitigation And more….. And more….. U SES FOR F LOOD R ISK I NFORMATION U SES FOR F LOOD R ISK I NFORMATION

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! First Maps Dated 1978 – % annual chance Flood Floodplain Mapping History Current Maps 2004, % annual chance Flood Current Maps available online with additional property information

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! What is Changing Flood Insurance Rate Maps FEMA Floodplain (Flood Insurance) Community Floodplain (local use) Floodways New Flood Risk Products 3D Flood Depth Maps Annual likelihood of flooding Change Comparisons New Floodzone Website Delivery of Flood Risk Information Mapping Risk Assessment Risk Reduction

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! What is Flood Risk Likelihood of Event (Probability) Consequences / Impact (Physical, Emotional, Financial) Total Risk

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Using New Flood Map Products  Knowing your flood risk is the first step in taking actions toward Reducing your risk. Flood Likelihood Flood Insurance Rate Maps Interactive Floodzone Maps Property data Show Flood Risk Understanding Consequences Potential Damage ($) Home, Car, HV/AC Systems, Shed, Personal Property, Etc. Know Flood Risk Floodplain Buyouts Flood Mitigation Projects Preparedness and Planning Flood proofing Elevation Audible Alarms Reduce Flood Risk

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Next Steps - Mapping Schedule Incorporate Changes & Revisions Create Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps – February 2011 FEMA Quality Review and Approval Mandatory Compliance Period - Additional Public Meetings Estimated “Effective Date” ~ July 2012

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Online Flood Map Review   Public Review & Comment Period closes November 16 th

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Public Meetings  The website address of the FMR application was published prior to the meetings  The meetings began with a brief introduction and floodplain 101 presentation  After the introduction, the attendees were asked to find a staff member or open laptop station to view the new floodplain data Three Public Meetings were organized during September and October of 2010

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED!

On-Line Survey Results  One-on-one sessions with laptops and Storm Water Services staff were helpful to me. 60% Strongly Agree  I would have preferred a traditional meeting with one formal presentation. 80% Disagree  Not including the public meeting, I have looked at the draft floodplain maps online. 90% Yes Meeting attendees were asked to complete a brief online survey related to the mailers, meetings and FMR application

The Risk is Real… Be PREPARED! Tim Trautman, PE, CFM Flood Mitigation Program Manager (704) Robert Billings, PE, PH, CFM Floodplain Mapping Project Manager (704) Thank You