FLOOD STUDY Middlesex County, NJ 8/24/2011 FLOOD STUDY Middlesex County, NJ FEMA REGION II August 24, 2011 10:00am

Agenda Introductions National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) 8/24/2011 Introductions National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) FEMA Strategic Plan & Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Goals Risk MAP Program Overview Meeting Objectives Current Status of Middlesex County Flood Study Risk Assessment Community Engagement Questions

Introductions Local – Middlesex County (Host) & Communities 8/24/2011 Local – Middlesex County (Host) & Communities State – New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) Principal Engineer: Tom Slowinski Senior Engineer: Kunal Patel GIS 3: Chris Gould, CFM FEMA Region II Risk Analysis Branch Chief: Scott Duell Risk Analysis Risk Assessment Lead/Senior Engineer: Alan Springett Risk Analysis Branch Senior Planner: Cathleen Carlisle Communications and Outreach Lead: William McDonnell Study Project Manager: Paul Weberg, PE Floodplain Management and Insurance Lead: Kim Rizzo Regional Support Center Outreach Lead: Crystal Smith, CFM

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 created the Federal Insurance Administration to: Identify flood-prone areas within the U.S. Establish flood-risk zones within those areas Provides flood insurance only IF the community participates in NFIP Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA’s requirement The program goal is to reduce the risk of flooding losses

“The Three-Legged Stool” The NFIP balances three related program areas Flood Hazard Identification (Mapping) 2. Floodplain Management (Regulations such as building codes And zoning) 3. Flood Insurance (Provision of Flood Insurance for Property owners in participating Communities)

Floodplain Management Prevent increases in flood losses Regulations, zoning ordinances & building codes Reduce the flood risk to existing development Disaster preparedness Flood Insurance Emergency Plans Structural Measures (dams, reservoirs, dikes, levees & floodwalls) Preserve and restore natural floodplains Floodplain, wetland, coastal barrier resources regulations Development/Redevelopment policies

Middlesex County – NFIP Policies, Claims, Repetitive Losses, CRS, CAC & CAV COMMUNITY Number of Policies Total Coverage Total Premium Total Claims Since 1978 Total Paid Since 1978 Number of Repetitive Loss Properties CRS Community Assistance Contact (CAC) Community Assistance Visit (CAV) OLD BRIDGE, TOWNSHIP OF 199 $56,393,200 $168,545 54 $461,821 3 NO 04/18/2010 01/29/2009 South River, Borough of 1,052 $40,578,900 $272,139 201 $2,133,705 19 8 05/20/2010 02/24/1995 East Brunswick, Township of 120 $40,482,200 $86,781 47 $246,894 2 09/30/2008 02/22/1995 SOUTH AMBOY, CITY OF 66 $19,083,800 $42,935 1 $2,642 04/06/2006 SAYREVILLE, BOROUGH OF 277 $63,152,700 $261,682 113 $41,258,593 10 05/06/2010 PERTH AMBOY, CITY OF 27 $9,335,500 $30,651 26 $1,142,839 09/05/2007 10/24/2002 CARTERET, BOROUGH OF 84 $22,505,700 $96,805 77 $226,540 03/12/2010 1/24/1995 WOODBRIDGE, TOWNSHIP OF 487 $135,355,500 $553,717 300 $3,141,125 20 08/04/2008 08/13/1997 EDISON, TOWNSHIP OF 251 $77,575,800 $225,099 85 $736,293 11/14/2007 -

Community Rating System (CRS) 8/24/2011 The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed minimum NFIP requirements As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS: Reduce flood losses; Facilitate accurate insurance rating; and Promote awareness of flood insurance Currently there are no CRS communities within the affected communities in Middlesex County (10). This is an opportunity for Risk Reduction Activities!

Community Rating System (CRS) Update Workshop Premium Discount May 16, 2005 Class Points SFHA Non‑SFHA 1 4,500 + 45% 10% 2 4,000 - 4499 40% 10% 3 3,500 - 3999 35% 10% 4 3,000 - 3499 30% 10% 5 2,500 - 2999 25% 10% 6 2,000 – 2499 20% 10% 7 1,500 - 1999 15% 5% 8 1,000 - 1499 10% 5% 9 500 – 999 5% 5% 10 0 - 499 0 0 NJ Floodplain Management Committee

FEMA Strategic Plan & Risk MAP Goals 8/24/2011 FEMA Strategic Plan Goals 2008-2013 Lead an integrated approach that strengthens the Nation’s ability to address disasters, emergencies, and terrorist events Deliver easily accessible and coordinated assistance for all programs Provide reliable information at the right time for all users FEMA invests in people and people invest in FEMA to ensure mission success Build public trust and confidence through performance and stewardship FEMA Risk MAP Goals Collaboration with Federal, State and local stakeholders to achieve goals under Risk MAP: Address gaps in flood hazard data Public Awareness/Outreach Hazard Mitigation Planning Enhanced Digital Platform Alignment and Synergies Risk MAP Goals: Flood Hazard Data. Address gaps in flood hazard data to form a solid foundation for risk assessment, floodplain management, and actuarial soundness of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Public Awareness/Outreach. Ensure that a measurable increase of the public’s awareness and understanding of risk results in a measurable reduction of current and future vulnerability. Hazard Mitigation Planning. Lead and support States, local, and Tribal communities to effectively engage in risk-based mitigation planning resulting in sustainable actions that reduce or eliminate risks to life and property from natural hazards. Enhanced Digital Platform. Provide an enhanced digital platform that improves management of Risk MAP, stewards information produced by Risk MAP, and improves communication and sharing of risk data and related products to all levels of government and the public. Alignment and Synergies. Align Risk Analysis programs and develop synergies to enhance decision-making capabilities through effective risk communication and management.

Guiding Principles Engage communities early and often 8/24/2011 Engage communities early and often Agree upon and document project outcomes and responsibilities Coordinate with other programs operating within the same community Leverage associations to provide a third-party perspective Use local media and language that people understand * See ‘Community Engagement’ fact sheet for more details

Risk MAP Program Overview 8/24/2011 Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) is a new FEMA program that provides communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better protect their citizens Through more accurate flood maps, risk assessment tools, and outreach support, Risk MAP builds on Map Modernization and strengthens local ability to make informed decisions about reducing risk

Risk MAP Vision 8/24/2011 Through collaboration with State, Tribal, and local entities, Risk MAP will deliver quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property. Risk MAP will focus on products and services beyond the traditional Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). FEMA will work with officials to help use flood risk data and tools to effectively communicate risk to citizens and enable communities to enhance their corresponding mitigation plans.

FEMA’s FY10 Flood Mapping Progress Report and Production Plan 8/24/2011 With FY2009 and FY2010 Congressional appropriations for Flood Hazard Mapping, FEMA is conducting flood map update projects: Improve engineering and mapping for high flood risk areas affected by coastal flooding, levees, and other riverine flood hazards Leverage established Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) relationships and resources To learn more, see the FEMA’s FY10 Flood Mapping Progress Report and Production Plan on www.fema.gov

Recent Activities Introduction to Risk MAP - Face to Face 8/24/2011 Introduction to Risk MAP - Face to Face Initial meetings conducted – via Webinar: July, 2011 Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth August, 2011 Middlesex, Union, Hudson, Essex 2010 April - Morris June – Bergen, Somerset July - Essex August – Monmouth, Union September - Cape May October – Passaic, Middlesex November – Atlantic December – Ocean 2011 February – Cumberland, Salem June – Cumberland, Union July - Cape May, Atlantic, Ocean, Monmouth Initial webex/conference coordination calls to: Inform local officials about the on-going NJ coastal study Request technical data from local officials to be incorporated into the study Inform officials about the milestones

Meeting Objectives 8/24/2011 Engage Middlesex County and communities and promote local residents to reduce their vulnerability to risk Provide information to local officials to help them communicate flood risk to residents and businesses Provide an update on the current status of Middlesex County’s Flood Study Encourage partnerships and collaborations to leverage and advance risk management and mitigation measures Risk already exist. We would like to engage with you so that you can take ownership and action. We would like to provide the most accurate information/risk to you. Ask you to take ownership of the process so that you can reduce the risk.

Middlesex County Flood Study - Overview 8/24/2011 Project Team Local Officials New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (Cooperating Technical Partner) FEMA Risk Assessment, Mapping, and Planning Partners (RAMPP), a joint venture of Dewberry, URS, and ESP Regional Support Center (RSC) Regional Program Management Lead

Milestones Coastal Surge Study complete: October, 2011 8/24/2011 Coastal Surge Study complete: October, 2011 Coastal Overland wave analysis complete: January, 2012 Coastal Analysis complete: Mid 2012 Preliminary Flood Study: July 2012

Middlesex County Flood Study - Update On the Current Status 8/24/2011 Field reconnaissance has been completed. Coastal analyses are in process. Transect layouts have been defined. Draft Geographic Information System characteristics have been produced. Awaiting response from communities to the letters sent out in January, 2010 regarding data request

Middlesex County Flood Study - Paneling Scheme 8/24/2011 Restudy of all coastal hazard zones

Local Communities – Data Gathering Local technical data availability? 8/24/2011 Local technical data availability? Bridge replacements; new storm water management systems; new H&H studies; new aerial photography and/or topographic information, etc. Contacted each community letting them know about coastal field reconnaissance taking place in their communities in November 2009 & July 2010, and data request back in January 21, 2010 No response received Is this an accurate representation of your communities? Levee impacted areas? FEMA is exploring more precise approaches for identifying flood hazards in areas impacted by levees Make sure to ask if any other community has technical information availability Also make sure to ask about levee impacted areas or agricultural levees, whether anybody is aware of

FEMA Wave Studies over the MIP 8/24/2011 Coastal Storm Surge and Overland Wave Hazard Analysis Overview – Gulf & Atlantic 6. MAPPING 5. RUNUP 4. WAVES 3. EROSION 2. SETUP 1. SURGE

Middlesex County – Transect Layout 8/24/2011

Coastal Study Technical Panel 8/24/2011 The intent of the technical panel is to engage subject matter experts in coastal engineering analysis process Meetings were held on: 4/14/2011 5/10/2011 Members: Academics and Other Interested Parties: Stevens Institute of Technology Richard Stockton College of NJ City University of New York – Hunter College Cousteau Institute under Rutgers University Columbia University Barnegat Bay Partnership State and Local Government: New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection New York State Department of Environmental Conservation New York City Northeast States Emergency Consortium Other Federal Agencies: USACE NOAA USGS

Risk Assessment Tools & Resources Risk MAP Risk Assessment Tools & Resources 8/24/2011 HAZUS-MH: Estimating potential losses from earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes New Version 2.0 includes coastal storm surge modeling For more information and to download the HAZUS-MH software: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/index.shtm National Tool: Evaluating appropriate long-term mitigation measures For more information and to download the National Tool software: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/data_tool.shtm * FEMA will follow up on these initial introduction of the assessment tools in the near future. See target dates. HAZUS-MH Is a nationally applicable standardized methodology that contains models for estimating potential losses from earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes Uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology to estimate physical, economic, and social impacts of disasters New Version 2.0 includes coastal storm surge modeling Floods, earthquakes, and hurricanes generate billions of dollars in losses annually Knowing potential losses: Enables better planning Allows for improved infrastructure to protect people and reduce economic losses HAZUS-MH computes future loss scenarios and compares potential mitigation projects Government planners, GIS specialists, and emergency managers use Hazus to determine losses and the most beneficial mitigation approaches to take to minimize them Hazus can be used in the assessment step in the mitigation planning process, which is the foundation for a community's long term strategy to reduce disaster losses and break the cycle of disaster damage, reconstruction, and repeated damage. A new coastal storm surge modeling capability integrating two industry standard models (SLOSH and SWAN), which now allows Hazus to predict the physical and economic impacts of hurricane scenarios on coastal flood regions. In addition to estimating the separate impacts of coastal flooding and high winds, the coastal surge scenario methodology also estimates the combined economic losses to the general building stock in a manner that avoids double counting of flood and wind losses. National Tool: The National Flood Mitigation Data Collection Tool (National Tool or NT) was developed for Nationwide use to gather information about floodprone structures in order to evaluate appropriate long-term mitigation measures Data fields within the NT require information from a variety of sources, including: NFIP policy information; community building, tax, and historical flood records; and field reconnaissance

Risk MAP Mitigation Planning 8/24/2011 Hazard Mitigation Plans: Guides your decisions on mitigation activities for all hazards you face Are an important resource for responding to disasters Facilitates access to federal assistance for mitigation We reviewed your mitigation plans and found that: Middlesex County: 2011 Mitigation Plan: County Approved Adopted January 14, 2011

Middlesex County, NJ Mitigation Plan Update 8/24/2011 * Not all of the Communities participated * Crosswalk notes

Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) 8/24/2011 HMA grant programs provide funding for eligible mitigation activities that reduce disaster losses and protect lives and property from future disaster damages Communities with approved hazard mitigation plans can apply for Federal Assistance Federal Assistance applications through New Jersey OEM (Bob Little) -Express to officials that there is an opportunity for funding.

Risk Communications Federal/State/Local goals: 8/24/2011 Federal/State/Local goals: To create safer communities and reduce risk to lives and property To effectively communicate risk and increase public awareness, leading citizens to make informed decisions regarding their risk Key factors contributing to successful achievement of these goals are: Community engagement and exchange of flood risk information Effective collaboration through partnerships Strategic communications plan development

Risk Communications 8/24/2011 Acknowledgement of the challenges in the complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-dimensional, and evolving processes of risk communications Conflicting priorities and messages Difficulty in translating scientific information Disagreements on what constitutes risk FEMA created a list of supporting, customizable tools and templates and is currently developing those materials in order of need as identified by FEMA Regions Region II is waiting on FEMA HQ’s development and outcomes Region II is initiating its own risk communications strategy National Academy of Sciences (?), several publications in risk management and communications

* - OFA = Other Federal Agencies 8/24/2011 * * - OFA = Other Federal Agencies Local communities are not alone in this coastal outreach effort

Risk Communications NJ Coastal Outreach Strategy 8/24/2011 The overarching goal of the New Jersey Coastal Outreach Strategy is to globally increase awareness of, and engagement in, the remapping of NJ coastal counties. Key themes: Flood risks have changed in many coastal communities since the date on their effective FIRM panels When completed, the storm surge study will contain valid, defensible results Mitigation Planning involves learning about the hazards that can impact a community, setting clear goals to reduce their vulnerability to the identified hazards, and putting in place long-term hazard mitigation strategies Coordinated, sustained mitigation activities are the best way to ensure your community will be physically, socially, and economically resilient to future natural hazard impacts

Risk Communication Strategy Resources 8/24/2011 Region III Coastal Website: www.R3Coastal.com Region IV Coastal Website: http://www.southeastcoastalmaps.com Region VI Coastal Website: http://www.txchart.com Region II Coastal Website: To be announced

Example FEMA Region II Risk MAP Activities Schedule 8/24/2011 Current: August, 2011 Risk MAP Introduction October, 2011 Mitigation Planning December, 2011 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) & Community Rating System (CRS) February, 2012 Technical Details of the Study April, 2012 Risk Assessment June, 2012 Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) August, 2012 Risk Communication 1. Example of Future Activities 2. Request Feedback?

Resources FEMA: www.fema.gov 8/24/2011 FEMA: www.fema.gov Floodsmart, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): www.floodsmart.gov Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning Partners: www.RAMPP-team.com NFIP Reform: www.fema.gov/business/nfip/nfip_reform.shtm HAZUS-MH software: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/index.shtm National Tool software: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/data_tool.shtm Hazus User Groups: http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/hazus/hz_users.shtm#4 New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - NFIP Coordinator New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management

Questions & Feedback 8/24/2011 Please complete your survey. Your feedback is very important to us. This presentation & hand-outs will be posted at: www.RAMPP-TEAM.com Contact Information NJDEP Joseph Ruggeri / John Scordato / Tom Slowinski / Chris Gould / Kunal Patel NJDEP, Bureau of Dam Safety & Flood Control Phone: 609-292-2296 NJDEP website: www.nj.gov/dep/floodcontrol FEMA Risk Analysis Branch Chief: Scott Duell / 212-680-3630 / Scott.Duell@dhs.gov Risk Analysis Risk Assessment Lead/Senior Engineer: Alan Springett / 212-680-8557/ Alan.Springett@dhs.gov Communications and Outreach: William McDonnell / 212-680-3636 / William.McDonnell@dhs.gov Study Project Manager: Paul Weberg / 212-680-3638 / Paul.Weberg@dhs.gov Flood Insurance & Management: Kim Rizzo/ 212-680-3637 / Kim.Rizzo@dhs.gov Mitigation Planning: Cathleen Carlisle / 212-680-8529 / Cathleen.Carlisle@dhs.gov HAZUS & GIS: Brian Shumon / 212-680-3631 / Brian.Shumon@dhs.gov Regional Support Center Coordinator: Andrew Martin / 646-216-3677 / Amartin@dewberry.com Don’t forget to remind local officials about the surveys!!