While working on flood risk management projects, not only do we work with our client, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), but we also work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), community officials, and levee authorities to combine data and information that will be used to create Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). We communicate regularly with community members in order to provide them with the tools they need to protect their homes for potential flooding.

Our Biggest Challenge

I think the number one challenge people have is understanding the process. So, not only do we talk to communities about identifying their flood risk, we inform them on what their options are to take action. Preparing their home for flooding is more than just buying insurance. We relay to them that they have a stake in the process and give them the information they need to take action.

One way we do this is by holding open houses where members of the community can come to gather information about flood risk, and specifically, how their homes may be affected if a flood were to occur. During the open house, we set up multiple stations.

• The first station typically has about 10 computers, where people can sit down with a geographer to locate their property on the map, and identify their old and new flood risks.
• At the second station, they can talk to a study contractor about how these risks were identified, what type of data was considered to get the information, etc.
• At the third station, residents can talk to their local community officials about how they can improve their property.
• The fourth station gives them an area to talk to insurance specialists to discuss how these risks may affect their flood insurance rate.
• We also have stations for kids to keep them occupied while their parents are visiting each station.

Open houses are really a one-stop-shop for all things flood risk!

Mitigation Action is Not a Far Away Concept

What I really enjoy about my job is that I can take information that most people feel is "over their heads" and break it down for them. I like seeing a member of the public have that light bulb moment when they understand something about their flood risk that they didn't before. I jokingly say that I take engineer-speak and translate it into plain English.

I also enjoy it when they understand that mitigation action is not some far away concept. In Louisiana, I worked on a coastal project where a prominent restaurant owner used our flood risk results to aid in designing an addition to his restaurant. Because it was a substantial improvement, it had to be elevated above the new FIRM's base flood elevation. When Hurricane Isaac came through this year, the original building flooded, but the addition did not. The restaurant was a contributing factor to the economic resiliency of the community. It's great to see how your work can positively impact a person's life.

During the flood risk management process, what's most important is getting the community involved—early and often. When they can come together with FEMA and the technical staff producing the FIRMs they feel more empowered and have a sense of ownership. The new Risk MAP processes that include Discovery are really making strides toward this and it is great to be a part of it.