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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. “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)

6. 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

7. 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 -

8. 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!

9. Community Rating System (CRS) Update Workshop
Premium Discount
May 16, 2005
Class Points SFHA Non‑SFHA
1 4, % 10%
2 4, % 10%
3 3, % 10%
4 3, % 10%
5 2, % 10%
6 2,000 – % 10%
7 1, % 5%
8 1, % 5%
– % 5%
NJ Floodplain Management Committee

10. FEMA Strategic Plan & Risk MAP Goals
8/24/2011
FEMA Strategic Plan Goals
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.

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Middlesex County – Transect Layout
8/24/2011

24. 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

25. 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:
National Tool: Evaluating appropriate long-term mitigation measures
For more information and to download the National Tool software:
* 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

26. 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

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

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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

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

32. 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

33. Risk Communication Strategy Resources
8/24/2011
Region III Coastal Website:
Region IV Coastal Website:
Region VI Coastal Website:
Region II Coastal Website:
To be announced

34. 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?

35. Resources FEMA: www.fema.gov
8/24/2011
FEMA:
Floodsmart, the official site of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP):
Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning Partners:
NFIP Reform:
HAZUS-MH software:
National Tool software:
Hazus User Groups:
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection - NFIP Coordinator
New Jersey State Office of Emergency Management

36. Questions & Feedback
8/24/2011
Please complete your survey. Your feedback is very important to us.
This presentation & hand-outs will be posted at:
Contact Information
NJDEP
Joseph Ruggeri / John Scordato / Tom Slowinski / Chris Gould / Kunal Patel
NJDEP, Bureau of Dam Safety & Flood Control
Phone:
NJDEP website:
FEMA
Risk Analysis Branch Chief: Scott Duell / /
Risk Analysis Risk Assessment Lead/Senior Engineer: Alan Springett / /
Communications and Outreach: William McDonnell / /
Study Project Manager: Paul Weberg / /
Flood Insurance & Management: Kim Rizzo/ /
Mitigation Planning: Cathleen Carlisle / /
HAZUS & GIS: Brian Shumon / /
Regional Support Center Coordinator: Andrew Martin / /
Don’t forget to remind local officials about the surveys!!