1. Page 1 Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services NWS Inundation Mapping Eastern Region Flash Flood Workshop June 4, 2010 Presentation by Laurie Hogan NOAA/NWS Eastern Region Headquarters

2. Page 2 Q: Is flooding really that big of a deal? Flooding causes more damage in the United States than any other severe weather related event, an average of $5 billion a year. Flooding can occur in any of the 50 states or U.S. territories at anytime of the year. http://www.weather.gov/floodsafety/floodsafe.shtml Recent Record Floods from the Headlines Nashville, TN Cranston, West Warwick, RI Floods are a big deal!!

3. Page 3 Features of NWS Inundation Maps Use of NWS Maps for Risk-Based Decisions Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Services NWS Inundation Mapping

4. NWS Inundation Mapping Features Partnered effort, utilizing FEMA approved hydraulic models Visually oriented products –Flood emergency operation/planning, available to public Easy product access linked to existing AHPS info Flood depth estimates KML and shape files (GIS formats) to integrated with user-specific data.

5. Inundation Mapping on AHPS

6. Water Depth Estimates

7. Inundation Mapping on AHPS Shape files imported into ESRI ArcMap software Record flood stage and 3 ft above record flood stage

8. Imported into Google Earth

9. Thoughts borrowed from FEMA‘S RiskMAP

10. Identify Risk Things to identify: Inundation areas for continuum of flooding Depth of flood waters Historic flood crests What does a more extreme flood look like for this city/community?

11. Assess Risk With the inundation areas, you can assess: What neighborhoods will be impacted? – How/when will they be evacuated? Are critical facilities or evacuation routes in jeopardy? –Can preventative efforts be successful?

12. Communicate Risk Pictures are powerful! Depiction of historic floods with a current context (existing roads, schools, etc) Are family flood preparedness plans needed?

13. Mitigate Risk Decisions/Investments: Protective measures and evacuation during floods Improvements to infrastructure, public and personal Zoning changes, new regulations

14. Review of AHPS Inundation Maps http://water.weather.gov/ahps/inundation.php Continuum of flooding, action stage to record levels Continuum of flooding, action stage to record levels Both NAVD88 and stage inundation selections Both NAVD88 and stage inundation selections Web interface and GIS formats Web interface and GIS formats Available 24x7 Available 24x7

15. Nashville Flood

16. Rhode Island Flood 10 inches < 48 hours River crested 5 feet above previous record

17. laurie.hogan@noaa.gov Telephone: 631-244-0114 laurie.hogan@noaa.gov Telephone: 631-244-0114