Table of Contents:

Lesson 1: Welcome and Overview

As a member of FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation disaster workforce, you are expected to be able to explain to the public:

  • Future risks associated with the hazard event that resulted in the disaster declaration
  • Mitigation measures available to improve personal safety and reduce or eliminate the risk of future damages to structures and personal property

 

This independent study course is part of a series of five, intended for the Hazard Mitigation disaster workforce. These courses address basic mitigation measures to reduce risk from earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornados, and wildfires, at a level appropriate for communication to the general public. For more information about the other courses, refer to the EMI website at http://training.fema.gov.

Course Overview

The goal of this course is to enable you to select the essential hazard mitigation information to communicate to members of the public following a flood event.

To help accomplish this goal, by the end of this course you will:

  • Identify the different types of flooding that occur in the United States
  • Recognize information about the NFIP to share with the general public
  • Identify flood mitigation measures
  • List the importance of directing individuals to local building officials, engineers, and other specialists before starting repairs
  • Match FEMA information, publications, and websites that support the mitigation recommendationsto specific audiences

Screen Features

Click on the "Exit" button to close this window and access the menu listing all lessons of this course. You can select any of the lessons from this menu by simply clicking on the lesson title.

Click on the "Glossary" button to look up key definitions and acronyms.

Click on the "Help" button to review guidance and troubleshooting advice regarding navigating through the course.

Track your progress by looking at the Progress bar at the top right of each screen. To see a numeric display, roll your mouse over the Progress bar area.

Follow the bolded green instructions that appear on each screen in order to proceed to the next screen or complete a Knowledge Review or Activity.

Click on the "Back" or the "Next" buttons at the top and bottom of screens to move backward or forward in the lesson. Note: If the Next button is dimmed, you must complete an activity before you can proceed in the lesson.

 

Below are instructions for navigating through the course using your keyboard.

Use the “Tab” key to move forward through each screen’s navigation buttons and hyperlinks, or “Shift” + “Tab” to move backwards. A box surrounds the button that is currently selected.

Press “Enter” to select a navigation button or hyperlink.

Use the arrow keys to select answers for multiple-choice review questions or self-assessment checklists. Then tab to the “Submit” button and press “Enter” to complete a Knowledge Review or Self-Assessment.

Warning: Repeatedly pressing “Tab” beyond the number of selections on the screen may cause the keyboard to lock up. Use “Ctrl” + “Tab” to deselect an element or reset to the beginning of a screen’s navigation links (most often needed for screens with animations or media).

JAWS assistive technology users can press the 'Ctrl" key to quiet the screen reader while the course audio plays.

 

Receiving Credit

You may take a test on the material covered in this course to demonstrate that you have learned the information.

To receive credit:

1. Complete all of the lessons. Each lesson will take between 10 and 30 minutes to complete. It is important to allow enough time to complete the course in its entirety.

REMEMBER... YOU MUST COMPLETE THE ENTIRE COURSE TO RECEIVE CREDIT. If you have to leave the course, do not exit from the course or close your browser. If you exit from the course, you will need to start that lesson over again.

2. Pass the final exam. The last screen provides instructions on how to complete the final exam

 

Lesson Summary

This completes this lesson.

In this lesson, you learned:

  • What this course is about
  • How to complete this course
  • How to receive credit for this independent study course

 

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Lesson 2: Types of Flooding

Floods are one of the most commonly occurring natural hazards in the United States.  The effects of flooding can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or extensive, affecting entire river basins and multiple states.

Devastating floods occur throughout the United States every year.  Ninety percent of all natural disasters in the U.S. involve flooding.

In this lesson you will learn about the different types of flooding that occur along coasts, rivers, streams, and lakes.

At the end of this lesson you will:

  • Distinguish between types types of flooding, including flash, coastal, river and stream, and closed-basin flooding.

Floods are not all alike.  Some floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days.  Other floods develop very quickly.

Flash flooding is the rapid flooding of low-lying areas.  Flash flooding is usually caused by intense rainfall and can flood an area in less than six hours.

Flash floods often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries rocks, mud, and other debris that can sweep away most things in its path.

Coastal flooding occurs when intense offshore storm systems push ocean water inland above the normal tide level.  The rise in water is the storm surge.  A storm surge can occur in just a few minutes. Hurricanes, tsunamis, and unusually high tides can cause coastal flooding.

River and stream flooding may be triggered by heavy rains, melting snows, and storm surge. River and stream flooding can also occur when a dam breaks, producing effects similar to flash flooding in minutes.

Closed-basin flooding occurs when a lake has no outlet or a relatively small outlet.  Seasonal rainfall and storm systems can cause the lake level to rise faster than it can empty. 

Floodwaters in closed-basin lakes accumulate over long periods of time and may stay for weeks, months, or years.

This completes this lesson.  In this lesson you learned about:

  • Flash floods
  • Coastal floods
  • River and stream floods
  • Closed-basin floods

 

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Lesson 3: Discussing the NFIP with the Public

It is important to be able to discuss basic information about the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with anyone concerned about flooding.

This lesson will discuss the NFIP and informing the public about it after a disaster event.  Topics in this lesson include:
 

  • NFIP Flood Insurance
  • Community Floodplain Management ordinances
  • Substantial Damage
  • Substantial Improvement

 

At the end of this lesson you will be able to:

  • Recognize information about the NFIP to share with the general public.

Reasons to Discuss the NFIP

There are two reasons why Hazard Mitigation staff talk to the public about the National Flood Insurance Program:

First, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities that participate in the NFIP.   This insurance is designed to help those affected by floods accelerate recovery, mitigate future flood losses, and reduce the personal and national costs of flooding.

Second, each community participating in the program has adopted a floodplain management ordinance, which reflects the flood risk information provided in the FEMA flood maps.  

This ordinance regulates new development in what the NFIP calls Special Flood Hazard Areas, or floodplains.  It also regulates the repair and rebuilding of structures in the floodplain that are “substantially damaged” or “substantially improved.”

Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a mitigation measure that protects policy holders from the financial risks of flooding.

Just a few inches of water from a flood can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage. Over the past 10 years, the average flood claim paid has amounted to nearly $48,000. Flood insurance is the best way to protect from devastating financial loss.

The cost of flood insurance varies depending on how much insurance is purchased, what it covers, and the property's flood risk.  Insurance can be purchased for structures, contents, or both.

Typically, there's a 30-day waiting period from date of purchase before a policy goes into effect, but there are exceptions.

Providing NFIP Information

Excellent sources of information on flood insurance are provided in Lesson 5 of this course.  Refer to an HM Insurance Specialist at the JFO if you need assistance with answering a specific question from a member of the public, or if you need clarification and additional information about aspects of the NFIP.

A JFO Insurance Hotline, manned by HM Insurance Specialists, may be established after large flood disasters and is for the use of FEMA staff only.

You can request the phone number for an HM Insurance Specialist or the JFO Insurance Hotline phone number from your supervisor.

Visit the NFIP’s official website, FloodSmart.gov for general information.

Floodplain Ordinances

Floodplain management ordinances require that when a structure in the floodplain has Substantial Damage or undergoes Substantial Improvement, the owner must bring the structure into compliance with the most current standards when repairing or rebuilding. This requirement is most significant for structures built before the current floodplain ordinance was enacted.

Substantial Damage is defined as damage from any source for which the cost of repair is equal to or greater than half of the market value of the structure before the loss.

Substantial Improvement is defined as improvement with a cost that is equal to or greater than half of the market value of a structure before the improvement. Land value is not included.

If the structure is damaged or improved, but not to the regulatory definition of Substantial Damage or Substantial Improvement or if it already meets the ordinance, the owner can reduce the risk of future damages by selecting other, less expensive mitigation measures.

Information about floodplain management ordinances is best provided by the local government.  This will be further discussed later in the course.

 

This completes this lesson.  In this lesson you learned about:

  • NFIP Flood Insurance
  • Community Floodplain Management ordinances
  • Substantial Damage
  • Substantial Improvement

 

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Lesson 4: Flood Mitigation Measures

After a flood, there are many mitigation measures that can be taken to help reduce the risk of future flood damage. 

This lesson describes mitigation options and the circumstances under which each is used.  Measures to mitigate flood damage include:

  • Floodproofing
  • Structure Elevation
  • Structure Relocation
  • Property Acquisition
  • Flood Control Barriers

 

At the end of this lesson you will:

  • Identify floodproofing measures including the difference between wet and dry floodproofing.
  • Identify mitigation measures that can meet local floodplain management requirements for residences, including elevating and relocating structures, and property acquisition.

Floodproofing

“Floodproofing” describes mitigation measures that decrease the risk of flood damage in structures.  Floodproofing measures are generally designed to protect individual components of a structure, not to bring the structure into compliance with a community’s floodplain ordinance.

There are two main types of floodproofing measures:

Wet floodproofing is any measure applied to a structure and/or its contents that prevents or reduces damage from flooding while allowing flood waters to enter the structure.

Dry floodproofing is any measure to make a structure watertight below the level that needs flood protection to prevent floodwaters from entering.

 

Wet Floodproofing

Wet floodproofing measures are typically used to protect electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (also known as HVAC), and utility components of a structure when flooding occurs.

Many of these mitigation measures involve elevating equipment above the expected flood levels.  FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)indicate these anticipated levels, called Base Flood Elevations (BFE)

    The Base Flood Elevation (BFE) is the anticipated elevation above mean sea level that the “base flood” is expected to reach.  The base flood is a flood having a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year.The NFIP uses the BFE to describe the minimum elevation to which new development in a flood hazard area must be regulated. 

Flood water can easily damage electrical system components including service panels, meters, switches, and outlets.

Even if they are inundated for only short periods, electrical system components usually have to be replaced.

Short circuits in flooded systems pose an increased potential for fire. Raising electrical system components helps avoid such problems.

It makes sense to raise all components of the electrical system, including wiring, above the base flood level identified on the NFIP's Flood Insurance Rate Map for the location.

Additional elevation of electrical components above the recommended level further reduces the risk.

Licensed contractors ensure that electrical system modifications are performed correctly and according to all applicable codes.

 

HVAC equipment, such as furnaces and hot water heaters, can be damaged extensively if inundated by flood waters.

A good way to protect HVAC equipment is to locate it on an upper floor or in the attic rather than in the basement or lower level of a structure.

Ventilation ductwork also can be protected from flooding by locating it above the base flood level.

In addition to elevating large utilities, household appliances such as washing machines and dryers should be elevated above potential flood waters.

Outdoor utilities such as heat pumps or air conditioners can be protected by placing them on an elevated platform above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE).

Unanchored heating oil or propane tanks can be easily moved by flood waters.  Losing these tanks results in major costs and inconvenience to their owners. If dislodged, these tanks also pose serious threats to public safety and to the environment.

An outside tank can be secured by running straps over it and attaching the straps to ground anchors.

 

Dry Floodproofing

Dry floodproofing includes measures that make a structure watertight below the level that needs flood protection to prevent floodwaters from entering.  This type of floodproofing is often used to protect non-residential structures, water supplies, and sewage systems.

Dry floodproofing may NOT be used to bring a Substantially Damaged or Substantially Improved residential structure into compliance with the community’s floodplain ordinance. However it CAN meet requirements for non-residential and commercial structures.

An example of a dry floodproofing measure is to apply a waterproof veneer, such as a layer of brick backed by a waterproof membrane, directly to the outside surface of an existing structure.

Flooding can cause sewage from sewer lines to back up through drain pipes. These backups not only cause damage that is difficult to repair, but they also create health hazards.

One way to protect against this hazard is to install backflow valves, which temporarily block drain pipes if water travels up them the wrong way. If a structure’s lowest level has a floor drain that empties to the exterior of the building, installing a floating floor-drain plug can also prevent flood waters from backing up the drain pipe and entering the structure.

Refer interested individuals to local building officials and plumbing specialists before undertaking any of these measures.

Well contamination, sewer line back up, and mold may occur in any type of flooding.

Flood waters often carry hazardous and toxic materials, including raw sewage, animal waste, oil, gasoline, solvents, and chemicals. 

If a property’s water supply comes from a well, flood waters entering that well can contaminate the groundwater and make the well water unsafe.

Wells suspected of being contaminated should be inspected by a professional.

Proper well construction will protect a well from contamination.  A licensed well-drilling contractor can inspect a well and suggest improvements such as:

  • Extending the casing at least 2 feet above the highest known flood elevation
  • Installing a sanitary seal or cover on the casing
  • Installing a backflow value in the water line

 

Structure Elevation

Elevating a structure reduces the risk of flood damage by raising the entire building above the BFE indicated on the FEMA flood map.

When the lowest floor of a flood-prone structure is raised to or above BFE, it will meet the minimum ordinance standards required by the NFIP for structures located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Structures  must be elevated by trained professionals.

Many communities have adopted even stricter standards in their floodplain ordinance and require higher elevation called “freeboard.” Freeboard helps compensate for many unknown factors that can contribute to flood heights greater than those calculated in base flood elevations, such as wave action, bridge openings, and the effects of urbanization of the watershed.

Structure Relocation

Relocation is another flood mitigation measure that will comply with most community floodplain ordinances.
Owners can have their buildings moved by professionals to a safer place outside the Special Flood Hazard Area.

This is also an expensive option but it can permanently eliminate the flooding risk to the structure if the building is moved to a safe area.

 

Property Acquisition

A community can permanently eliminate the risk of flood damage to buildings in a floodplain by purchasing the properties from their owners and removing the structures.

Communities generally engage in “acquisition” or “buyout" projects when a grant has been awarded to provide funding.  If a community decides to pursue a property acquisition project, the land cannot be redeveloped and often is preserved as public open space, parks, or recreation areas.  

 

Flood Control Barriers

Flood control barriers protect structures by deflecting the destructive forces of flood waters away from vulnerable structures.

These barriers, including levees, berms, floodwalls, and temporary barriers, may be used to create a protected area for a single structure or for multiple structures.

Barriers may not be used to bring a Substantially Damaged or Substantially Improved residence into compliance with a community’s floodplain management ordinances or laws.

When informing the public about flood control barriers, it is important to point out that this type of mitigation measure can affect local drainage, possibly creating or worsening flood problems for others. It also requires periodic maintenance to remain effective.

This completes this lesson.  In this lesson you learned about the mitigation methods for flooding that included:

  • Floodproofing (wet and dry)
  • Structure elevation
  • Structure relocation
  • Property acquisition
  • Flood control barriers

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Lesson 5: Official Information and Resources

Hazard Mitigation staff have a variety of FEMA resources available to help educate the public on flood mitigation techniques. Other resources are intended for use by building and emergency management professionals.  Spend the time needed to become familiar with the purpose of and intended audience for the resources and publications that are included in this lesson.

At a disaster, the Hazard Mitigation Community Education and Outreach (CEO) group, in collaboration with the state, decides which of these approved publications and resources support the Hazard Mitigation Strategy for the disaster. 

In this lesson you will learn about:

  • The importance of directing the public to local building officials before they begin repairs or rebuilding
  • How FEMA addresses the topic of flood-related mold with the public
  • Which publications are available to promote flood mitigation
  • What FEMA-approved online resources are available for flood mitigation
  • What appropriate actions to take when advising the public

 

At the end of this lesson you will:

  • Recognize the information and advice to provide regarding mold
  • Identify FEMA partner organizations and the websites that contain FEMA mitigation publications
  • Identify the correct actions to take when advising the public regarding flood mitigation and the NFIP

Local Building Officials

When advising members of the public about reducing the risk of future hazard damages, direct them to local building officials before beginning any repairs or rebuilding because:

• Building codes, permits, inspection requirements, and zoning ordinances may be involved

• A floodplain ordinance may affect rebuilding when the structure has sustained Substantial Damage

• Building officials will reinforce the point that only licensed professionals are qualified to perform structural repair or structural mitigation work

 

Discussing Mold with the Public

There is a tremendous risk of mold growth after flooding.  Mold is a public health issue that is addressed by appropriate local, state, and federal experts.

Because mold is common in flooded communities, some basic facts about mold that you can share with the public are:

  • Mold grows where there is sufficient moisture.
  • Musty or earthy odors may indicate mold.
  • Walls that are not completely dry may allow mold spores to grow quickly.
  • Mold exposure may cause or aggravate asthma or respiratory problems in adults and children.
  • Mold can cause structural damage to buildings – the longer it grows the more damage it can cause.
  • Cleaning to remove the mold without fixing the moisture problem will most likely result in the mold coming back.

Removing mold and mold conditions does not protect a building from mold in future hazard events. 

However, it does reduce the immediate risk of illness and additional damage from the mold conditions created by the flooding.

Decisions about the type of advice to provide to individuals dealing with mold are the responsibility of the State Health Department. 

Several federal agencies also publish information about mold:

    • Centers for Disease Control
    • Environmental Protection Agency
    • FEMA
    • U.S. Public Health Service

Hazard Mitigation staff distribute ONLY the mold publication provided by the Hazard Mitigation Community Education and Outreach Group (CEO).

 

FEMA Publications

Below are FEMA mitigation publications relevant to this hazard.  These can be accessed from the FEMA website. 

Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting: Six Ways to Protect Your House from Flooding  explains the meaning of “retrofitting” and details six retrofitting methods that protect the house from flooding including elevating, wet and dry floodproofing, relocating, floodwalls, and protecting service equipment. 

The publication also provides information on financial assistance for mitigation retrofitting.

Protecting Your Property from Flooding provides information on damage-resistant building materials, dry flood proofing, raising electrical components, anchoring fuel tanks, raising HVAC equipment, protecting walls and installing sewer backflow valves.

Home Builder’s Guide to Coastal Construction is a FEMA produced series of 31 fact sheets providing technical guidance and recommendations concerning the construction of coastal residential buildings.

 

NFIP Publications

The NFIP provides specific resources to policy holders and the public following a flooding event.
If you are working in a DRC or other outreach venue, your supervisor will explain which NFIP publication to distribute and to whom.

After the Flood: Tips from the NFIP provides advice on looking out for hazards in a flood-prone home, filing for flood insurance claims, and cleaning up after a flood.

Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program explains the NFIP, including coverage, claims, flood maps, and FEMA’s repetitive loss strategy.

NFIP Claims Handbook tells policyholders what to do before, during, and after a flood.  Filing and appealing flood insurance claims are covered.

National Flood Insurance Program Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) Coverage: How You Can Benefit provides brief information on ICC Coverage.  If a home or business is damaged by a flood, the owner may be required to meet certain building requirements in the community to reduce future flood damage. To help with these costs, the NFIP includes Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage for all eligible properties insured under the Standard Flood Insurance Policy.  This pamphlet briefly describes the benefits of ICC, how much coverage is available, the four options covered, when to file an ICC claim, and how the ICC payment is handled.

NFIP Summary of Coverage provides guidance on deductibles, what is and is not covered by flood insurance, and how items are valued at time of loss.

Tips for Filing Your Insurance Claim provides advice on:

  • What to do immediately after a disaster
  • What happens once a loss claim has been reported
  • What to do before an adjustor arrives

 

Other Resources

There are several websites that contain flood mitigation information. Aside from official FEMA websites, there are FEMA-partner organizations that provide comprehensive, user-friendly information and guidance on flood mitigation.

FEMA's HM Disaster Workforce Website houses a wealth of hazard mitigation information.  It can be accessed from the internet via the Homeland Security Information Network using any computer or from the intranet using a FEMA computer.

The same information is contained in both locations, but the intranet version is behind the FEMA firewall.  A user id and password are required to access either website.

Another partner organization is the Institute for Business Home Safety (IBHS). Its mission is to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property losses by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance, and preparation practices.  IBHS hosts the www.DisasterSafety.org  website

The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) represents the building industry for members and affiliated state and local builders’ organizations.  Their website is located at www.nahb.org. 

The site includes recommended mitigation strategies for most types of natural hazards.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, Inc., known as FLASH, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation across a variety of natural hazards, including floods.  Their website, FLASH.org, has preparedness and post-disaster materials that Hazard Mitigation staff or the public can easily access.

 

Informing the Public

When speaking with members of the public about reducing the risk of future hazard damages:
 

  1. Explain the risk and the mitigation actions clearly and at a level of detail appropriate to the listener
  2. Refer to publications/websites that reinforce or provide additional information about rebuilding or repairing to reduce future risk of damages
  3. Do not give specific repair directions. Always direct people to local building officials when they are planning repairs or mitigation

 
Remember that you are THE face and voice of hazard mitigation.  What you say and do makes a real difference in people’s lives!

This completes the final lesson in this course.  In this lesson you learned about:

  • The importance of directing the public to local building officials before they begin repairs or rebuilding
  • Communicating basic information to the public about flood-related mold issues
  • FEMA publications to promote flood mitigation
  • FEMA-approved online resources available for flood mitigation
  • Appropriate actions to take when advising the public

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