FLOOD STUDY Chemung County, NY FEMA REGION II November 18, 2010

2 Agenda  Introductions  Objectives  Map Modernization (MapMod) Program Overview  Chemung County MapMod Update  Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) Program Overview  Chemung Watershed Study Introduction  Milestones  Community Engagement

3 Introductions  FEMA Region II Scott Duell, Risk Analysis Branch Chief Mary Colvin, Floodplain Management and Flood Insurance Branch Chief Alan Springett, Senior Engineer, Risk Analysis Risk Assessment Lead Adie Koby, Program Specialist Bo Juza, Regional Program Management Lead Andrew Martin, Regional Support Center Coordinator Tolga Yilmaz, Regional Support Center Deputy Coordinator John Dromsky-Reed, Mapping Partner, MapMod Milver Valenzuela, Mapping Partner, Risk MAP  U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Baltimore District Dan Risley, Hydraulic Engineer, Engineering Division George Bielen, Operations Manager, Susquehanna River Project, Operations Division Leon Skinner, Construction Service Representative, Operations Division  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) William Nechamen, New York State Floodplain Coordinator

4 Objectives  Objectives To provide an overview of Chemung County’s mapping project status and deliver draft maps To transition from MapMod to Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment, Planning) To promote community engagement and enhance capability to effectively manage flood risk

5 MapMod Program Overview  Prior to 2003, more than 70 percent of the nation’s flood maps were at least 10 years old. In Chemung County, with few exceptions, the communities' flood maps dated back to the 1980s  Congress appropriated funds in 2003 and directed FEMA to develop and implement the MapMod program, which: Created county-wide digital maps Utilized more current data to update maps Developed a new platform to convert from paper to digital format

6 Chemung County MapMod Update  Original scope of Chemung County study County-wide DFIRM (78 panels), including 17 incorporated communities Development of county-wide digital topography from LiDAR (2003 and 2005 collections) Re-delineation/re-use of 110 stream miles of effective profiles New approximate analysis for 153 stream miles Field survey of Elmira Levee System and levee freeboard analysis Preliminary DFIRM delivery scheduled for November 30, 2010  Adjusted scope of Chemung County study Production of draft “work” maps instead of preliminary maps (non- regulatory)  Region II delivering draft maps to Chemung County communities providing update on current status of project Facilitates project transition to Risk MAP

7 Risk MAP Program Overview  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  The Risk MAP program aims to achieve these goals through new strategies and products that address:  Project prioritization – State and local input (2005 scoping meetings; 2008 letter Southern Tier Central Regional Planning & Development Board; and 2010 community meetings)  Elevation data acquisition  Watershed study approach  Engineering and mapping  Risk assessment, mitigation planning support  Risk communications

8 Risk MAP

9 Risk MAP Vision Through collaboration with State, Tribal, and local entities, Risk MAP will delivery 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.

10 Chemung Watershed Overview  Chemung Watershed Study Community involvement led to better understanding of the community needs Formal growth, maturity, and additional resources of the program allowed modification of the existing project to deliver Risk MAP  Current FIS Status Draft-prelim DFIRMs are available as work maps for review by community officials FEMA has initiated additional detailed studies of 57 stream miles in Chemung County as a result of the levees’ status and other concerns presented by the County The FIS has been placed on hold pending completion and incorporation of the data from the additional studies

11 Chemung Watershed Study Proposed Study Streams within Chemung CountyMileageAffected Communities Bentley Creek1.5 Town of Ashland, Village of Wellsburg Chemung River12.8 Town of Ashland, Town of Elmira, City of Elmira, Town of Southport, Village of Wellsburg Cuthrie Run3.5Town of Big Flats Newtown Creek13.4 Town of Horseheads, Village of Horseheads Prospect Creek3.3 Town of Horseheads, Village of Horseheads Seeley Creek10.7 Town of Ashland, Town of Southport Sing Sing Creek10.4Town of Big Flats, Town of Catlin Planned Pending Finalization (FY11 streams) South Creek1.8Town of Southport North Branch Newtown Creek1.8 Town of Horseheads and Town of Veteran Newtown Creek0.7Town of Horseheads Hoffman Brook5 Town of Big Flats, City of Elmira, Town of Elmira

12 Chemung Watershed Study Elevation Data Acquisition Chemung County LIDAR collected in 2005 Remainder of watershed will be collected in 2011

13 Discovery  Discovery is the process of data mining, collection, and analysis with the goal of initiating a flood risk or mitigation project or risk discussions within a watershed, which includes: Data Collection  Historical flooding information  Existing flood hazard data  Mitigation activities  Hazard risk assessments, for example, vulnerable assets  Mitigation strategies Collaboration  Communities  Regional planning entities  Non-governmental organizations  State agencies  Other Federal agencies  Chemung Watershed’s Discovery process will be initiated in early 2011

14 Flood Risk Assessment  Risk MAP will provide state and community officials with three Flood Risk Products: Flood Risk Report Flood Risk Database Flood Risk Map  These are designed to help communities: Gain a better understanding of flood risk and its potential impact on communities and individuals Take mitigation actions to reduce risk

15 Traditional products are regulatory and subject to statutory due-process requirements Risk MAP products are non- regulatory and are not subject to statutory due-process requirements Program Product Comparisons DFIRM Database Traditional Regulatory Products Non-Regulatory Products

16 Data Fields IncludeExample Data Values Old Study Datee.g Old Model Type(s)e.g. HEC-1 / HEC-2 Old Zone Typee.g. Zone A Old Topographye.g. USGS 10-ft New Study Info/MethodsDates, Models, etc. New Study Zonee.g. Zone AE New Topographye.g. LiDAR 2-ft New Study Engineering Factors / Changes e.g. new structures, gages, topo, landuse, etc. Estimated Structurese.g. 9 Estimated Populatione.g. 27

17 Flood Depth Grids  Depth Grid Calculated as Difference between WSE and Ground XS XS Depth

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20 HAZUS Multi-Hazard Estimation of Losses  Dollar Losses Residential Loss Commercial Loss Other Asset Loss  Percent Damage Evaluates Building Stock Structure and Content Considerations  Business Disruption Considers Total Occupancy Tables Considers Lost Income and Wages

21 Hazard Mitigation Planning Coordinated and participative Planning Process Identify hazards that can affect the jurisdiction Assess the risks from these hazards Develop strategy to mitigate the risks Adopt the plan and implement the mitigation strategy Refer to the Plan & Keep it Current  Risk Map and Mitigation Planning Local hazard mitigation plans must be updated every five (5) years. Use new Risk Map information to update local HMP. Flood Hazard Profile Risk Assessment Mitigation Strategy Mitigation Planning Cycle

22 Risk Communication  Federal/State/Local goals: To ensure safer communities and reduce risk to life 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

23 Risk MAP Review

24 Milestones  Fall 2006: Chemung County-wide Flood Insurance Study/Flood Insurance Rate Maps funded  Fall 2010: Draft Chemung County Flood Maps delivered  Summer 2012: Preliminary Risk MAP products tentatively scheduled for delivery

25 Community Engagement  FEMA is committed to: Collaborating closely with communities within Chemung County to accurately portray risk Engaging the community throughout the project timeline Using the best and most recent data and information available  Opportunities for collaboration: Project Charter/Cooperating Technical Partnership GIS capabilities Public/private partnerships Education and outreach  Strategic communications plan development  Information materials development and dissemination  Media relations  Training  Web site and social media links

26 Resources  FEMA:  Floodsmart, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):  Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning Partners:  NFIP Reform:  National Committee on Levee Safety:  New York State Department of Environmental Conservation NFIP Coordinator  New York State Office of Emergency Management