What's New in Flood Hazard Mapping

Keep up with the latest developments and find out what's new in Flood Hazard Mapping. Follow the links above to view or download important resources pertaining to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Flood Hazard Mapping program, and the Flood Map Modernization (Map Mod) effort. Sign up for e-mail updates on Flood Hazard Mapping Activities.

Draft Concept Paper Now Available

September 2007
The Draft Concept Paper "FEMA's Flood Map Modernization-Preparing for FY09 and Beyond: Integrated Flood Data Update, Risk Assessment, and Mitigation Planning" is being provided so that stakeholders who utilize and are impacted by FEMA flood hazard data and maps can provide input. Comments are welcome by e-mail on the Draft Concept Paper. Comments submitted by November 15, 2007, will be considered in FEMA’s planning efforts for FY09 and beyond. Because FEMA’s planning efforts are in their initial stages, specific replies to comments received will not be provided. However, comments provided on these concepts will be fully considered as FEMA plans for flood mapping efforts progress.

"FEMA's Flood Map Modernization-Preparing for FY09 and Beyond: Integrated Flood Data Update, Risk Assessment, and Mitigation Planning; Draft Concept Paper; June 1, 2007" is available on FEMA's Flood Hazard Mapping Website at: http://www.fema.gov/plan/ffmm.shtm

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Map Modernization Management Support (MMMS) Web Pages Now Available

August 2007
The purpose of the MMMS program is to provide, through a Cooperative Agreement, a means to ensure that MMMS partners can support the Map Modernization effort through activities that do not directly result in production of a new or revised flood hazard map. These support activities include administration and management activities. Through these Web pages, users can access guidance, business plans, and other key MMMS information.

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New Flood Map Modernization Video

July 2007
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently developed a new Flood Map Modernization video (Map Mod). The video made its debut at the Association of State Floodplain Managers Annual Conference in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 6, 2007. The video is now available on the Internet from the FEMA Library in the Windows Media Video and Apple QuickTime formats. The video is approximately 8.5 minutes long; includes a narrative of the past, present, and future of the mapping component of the National Flood Insurance Program; and provides valuable information and resources

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Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) Version 2.5

April 2007
This latest version of the MHIP (Version 2.5) is now available and amends MHIP Version 2.0 dated September 2006. In September 2006, MHIP Version 2.0 was revised to reflect a significant change in the approach of Flood Map Modernization by explaining the Mid-Course Adjustment and beginning to reflect these changes in the sequencing of flood map production. Since MHIP Version 2.0, the strategy for Flood Map Modernization has not changed; therefore, the only components of the MHIP updated in Version 2.5 are the performance/projection bar charts for the Key Performance Indicators 1 and 2, maps reflecting mapping activities through Fiscal Years 2003-10, and appendix A, Detailed Production Report-Sequencing by County. FEMA updated the flood map production sequencing based on stakeholder feedback, and is continuing to work towards achieving the program goals defined in the Mid-Course Adjustment.

MHIP Versions 2.0 and 2.5 are available on FEMA's Flood Hazard Mapping Web site at the Multi-Year Flood Hazard Identification Plan. Interested parties with questions pertaining to the updated flood map production sequencing in MHIP Version 2.5 are encouraged to contact their appropriate local and State officials, who are working with one of FEMA's 10 Regional Offices.

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FEMA Issues Revised Guidance on Provisionally Accredited Levees (PAL's)

March 2007
On March 16, 2007, FEMA issued revised guidance regarding the evaluation and mapping of PAL's. A PAL is a levee that FEMA has previously credited with providing 1-percent-annual-chance protection on an effective flood hazard map, for which FEMA is awaiting data and/or documentation that will show the levee's compliance with Section 65.10 of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations. A PAL is shown on a flood hazard as providing 1 percent-annual-chance flood protection, and the area landward of the levee is shown as Zone X (shaded) except for areas of residual flooding, such as ponding areas, which will be shown as a Special Flood Hazard Area. FEMA issued the revised guidance in the form of an updated version of Procedure Memorandum No. 43, which FEMA originally issued in September 2006.

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Update to FEMA "Blue Book" for Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program Available Online

March 2007
FEMA has been tracking the extent to which its mapping funds have been leveraged through the CTP Program since the first partnership agreements were signed in 1999. Leverage is defined as the value of all non-National Flood Insurance Program resources contributed by any university, Federal, regional, State, local, tribal, or private agency that support the development, revision, or maintenance of Flood Map Modernization-related products. While leverage is generally associated with the CTP Program, other partners who are not members of the CTP Program provide FEMA with valuable flood mapping related data and thus leverage is determined for their data as well. To estimate partner contributions, FEMA uses a series of unit costs that are indicative of FEMA costs to produce updated maps. These unit costs are contained within the FEMA publication titled Estimating the Value of Partner Contributions to Flood Mapping Projects Blue Book.

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Last Modified: Tuesday, 04-Mar-2008 13:35:42 EST

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