The US Senate is considering an extension to the NFIP that would add a provision wherein the government would assign a ratio of damage caused by water (covered by the NFIP) vs wind (generally covered by homeowner’s insurance). The Coastal Act would use data already gathered by NOAA and FEMA to determine the breakdown. You […]
Tag Archives | hazard identification
Massachusetts Town Amends Zoning Bylaw to Reduce Flood Losses
Posted on May 12, 2011
In an attempt to lessen flood losses, the town of Hull, Massachusetts has amended their zoning bylaw to consider not only current, but future conditions. Notable changes include: 1. A requirement that the town’s review process ensures that a proposed project won’t cause or worsen flooding on other properties (sounds like a good NAI approach). […]
Not Mapped in the Flood Zone, Not at Storm Surge Risk? Not so Fast.
Posted on May 5, 2011
A new report looking at the risk of homes exposed to hurricane-driven storm surge damage in ten major urban areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts finds that the majority of homes in those communities that are in designated surge zones are not included in local flood zones. In Virginia Beach, for example, 87 percent […]
Easiest Wind Speed Maps in the Gulf
Posted on May 4, 2011
So you’ve figured out your flood risk with the LSU Ag Center’s flood map tool, but now you need an estimate of your wind risk. Why not check out their Wind Speed and Elevation Map? It just doesn’t get any easier. (Nice work, LSU). (Added to our Finding and Using Additional Hazard Information page.)
The Easiest Way to Find Louisiana Flood Maps
Posted on April 25, 2011
Click on your parish and get an interactive flood map. Wish all states had this resource. Have a look on the LSU Flood Maps site. (Added to the Interpreting FIRMs and FIS Reports page.)
Horrible and Terrifying (Japanese Tsunami)
Posted on March 11, 2011
Wow. If you live anywhere near the ocean and this doesn’t scare you, it probably should.
FEMA Now Offering Live Chat with Map Specialists
Posted on November 9, 2010
This in the latest newsletter from FEMA: The FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) is pleased to announce a new exciting service: Live Chat. Live Chat will allow FEMA stakeholders to interact with Map Specialists real-time via an online forum. Specialists can field inquiries pertaining to a wide variety of topics including Letters of Map Change, […]
New Free Webinar on Climate Change Adaptation for Local Governments
Posted on October 26, 2010
Just got this press release announcing that EPA will continue a promising-looking webcast series designed to help local governments adapt to climate change. While the blurb doesn’t say the program is specifically targeting coastal communities, it seems likely that much if not all of what they discuss will apply to all of us abutting the […]
Quick and Easy Way to Create Storm Surge Maps
Posted on October 11, 2010
They’re not precise enough to use for planning purposes, but the National Hurricane Center has created a neat tool to show projections for where hurricanes are likely to drive storm surge. Using it is as easy as visiting their Storm Surge Interactive Risk Maps webpage, selecting a category of storm (1-5) you’d like to see […]
Is Your Community Getting New Flood Maps? Here's How to Ease the Sting
Posted on September 28, 2010
The fine folks over at Colorado State’s Natural Hazards Center have a neat summary of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Preferred Risk Policies program in their monthly newsletter. The short version? Property owners who find themselves newly mapped into high risk flood areas now have up to two years to apply for a Preferred Risk […]