Description
1) The Opportunities Stemming from Changes in the NFIP
Doug Bellomo, PE, AECOM, doug.bellomo@aecom.com
Co-presenters: None
Abstract: Risk Rating 2.0 and recent reforms to FEMAs flood mapping authorities opens doors to a world of opportunity, yet the risks and challenges associated with those changes can sometimes be overwhelming. No doubt there is a need to manage and execute carefully as the role of the FIRMs evolves but placing too much focus on the negative consequences of change without careful consideration of the opportunities may keep our profession in the past longer than it needs to be. The FIRMs no longer have the impact they once did on flood insurance prices, there is an increased appetite to get a more comprehensive view of flood hazards and risks, there is a large and increasing pool of funds to reduce risk, and flood damages continue to escalate. Harnessing the power of change in a positive way requires courage, a willingness to take chances, new thinking, creative approaches, and collaboration across disciplines. We preach the power of adaptive capacity regularly - it’s time to put that power into practice. This presentation will focus on how floodplain managers might leverage the opportunities stemming from these changes to increase flood resilience and reduce the environmental, social, and economic harm stemming from flooding.
2) Floodplain Management Program Enhancements in Henrico County
Kristin Owen, AICP, CFM, Henrico County, VA, owe042@henrico.us
Co-presenters: Ben Felton, fel021@henrico.us
Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of recent changes to Henrico County’s floodplain management program. Beginning in early 2021, the County embarked on several projects to enhance its floodplain program, including revising its floodplain ordinance and utilizing recent legislation to adopt regulations outside of zoning. This update included incorporating higher standards, such as prohibiting fill and critical facilities in the Special Flood Hazard Area. To support the ordinance update, the County also developed a Floodplain Technical Guidance Manual to provide developers with addition information and outline submittal standards. Additionally, the County implemented website enhancements to increase outreach and education, including creating a new online floodplain map and online flood model repository for engineers to easily access and download available HEC-RAS models in the County. This presentation will outline various activities that NFIP communities could undertake with relatively few resources available in order to enhance their programs for NFIP compliance, increase public understanding, and improve permit review procedures.
3) Applying Lessons Learned for Future NFIP Changes: Implications for Stakeholders
Susan Tarkenton, IBM, starken@us.ibm.com
Co-presenters: Fatima Akhtar - fatima.akhtar@us.ibm.com
Abstract: This presentation will share lessons learned from Risk Rating 2.0 - the success stories, best practices and even better ifs. Risk Rating will continue to evolve and NFIP's next major transformation will be policy forms related to flood insurance. This session will focus on the above and how to best inform future transformation efforts. This presentation will apply the lessons learned from Risk Rating 2.0 to inform best practices for managing change to the next major transformation of NFIP.
Contributors
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Doug Bellomo, P.E.
Doug Bellomo is Vice President in the water business line at AECOM focusing in the area of flood risk management and resilience. Previously Doug served as a senior technical advisor for flood risk management at the US Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources working in the areas of Dam and Levee Safety, the National Flood Risk Management Program, coastal flood risk management efforts, and floodplain management services. Before joining the US Army Corps, Doug was the Director of the Risk Analysis Division within the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration at the Federal Emergency Management Agency. There he oversaw implementation of several National Programs including the Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program, the National Dam Safety Program, and FEMA’s Mitigation Planning operations. In his capacity at AECOM, Doug is assisting clients in improving delivery of floodplain management services, helping them prepare and recover from flood disasters, by working collaboratively across disciplines.
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Kristen Owen
Kristin Owen is the Floodplain & Dam Safety Manager for Henrico County, Virginia, and the current president of the Virginia Floodplain Management Association. Kristin has extensive state and local government experience in floodplain management and land use planning. Prior to joining Henrico County, Kristin worked for the Commonwealth of Virginia as the Acting NFIP Coordinator, State CRS Coordinator, and co-chair of the Virginia Silver Jackets team. While in this role, she assisted Governor Northam’s Office with developing and implementing two executive orders aimed to reduce flood risk and increase Virginia’s resiliency to natural hazards. She also partnered with Virginia Tech to create and teach a graduate-level course on local floodplain management, which earned her FEMA’s 2019 Best Innovation/Project Award. Before joining the Commonwealth of Virginia, Kristin was the Planning and Floodplain Administrator for Teton County, Idaho. Kristin received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from West Virginia University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning, a Master of Natural Resources, and Graduate Certificates in Watershed Management and Geospatial Information Technology from Virginia Tech. She is an AICP professional planner and a Certified Floodplain Manager.
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Susan Tarkenton
Susan Tarkenton is a Senior Manager in IBM’s Talent Transformation practice where she is an experienced Project Manager, specializing in enterprise-wide technology-driven transformation. Ms Tarkenton has led clients through technology enabled process change for Enterprise Resource Programs (ERP), Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) and custom technology solutions. Ms. Tarkenton is currently the Project Manager for organizational transformation and business integration efforts surrounding FEMA’s recent implementation of Risk Rating 2.0, the new approach to the pricing of insurance for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). She has experience with IT, financial management and budgeting, human resource management, and procurement processes within the Federal Government.