THE FUTURE OF FLOOD RISK DATA (FFRD)
[https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/future-flood-risk-data-ffrd] 

Release Date: 
Sep 25, 2020 

Science and technology for flood hazard identification and flood risk
assessments has advanced throughout the 50-year history of the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Although FEMA has made
progress modernizing the flood mapping process, there are ample
opportunities for continued improvement. The Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRMs) are the most prevalent cartographic tool used to help
communities understand their flooding risks and provide the backbone
of effective floodplain management. However, FIRMs are primarily
representative of a single flood hazard, the one-percent-annual-chance
of flooding, rather than a more comprehensive picture of flood risk.

FEMA’s Future of Flood Risk Data (FFRD) initiative provides a more
comprehensive picture of the country’s flood hazards and risk by
leveraging new technologies to include more efficient, accurate, and
consistent flood risk information across the nation.

FFRD is an agile series of exploratory projects designed to help
define the future direction of the mapping program. Providing more
comprehensive hazard and risk information complements the improvements
in flood risk communication being advanced through Risk Rating 2.0 and
offers a basis for a range of outcome-oriented regulatory and
non-regulatory products.  

The FFRD initiative includes four major elements:

 	* Shift from binary to graduated risk analysis;
 	* Ensure a significant and appropriate role for the private sector
and state, local, tribal and territorial entities;
 	* Increase access to flood hazard data to improve resulting
mitigation and insurance actions, and
 	* Modernize the management and delivery of flood hazard mapping.

Updated flood risk data effectively informs stakeholder
decision-making, drives crucial actions to mitigate flood risk, and
improves FEMA’s understanding of stakeholder needs.

[Graphic: Each of the 4 major elements of the FFRD is like an
individual blade of a windmill. FFRD is providing a framework for the
Risk Management Directorate (RMD) to drive towards these 4 key
objectives.]