Description

1) Advancing Usability and Impact through the Future of Flood Risk Data
David Bascom, FEMA David.Bascom@fema.dhs.gov
Co-presenters: Johanna Greenspan-Johnston, jgreenspanjohnston@dewberry.com

Abstract: FEMA is progressing in its efforts to deliver flood hazard information that is more detailed, comprehensive, and flexible in support of a risk-informed NFIP. This vision is a key component of FEMA’s Future of Flood Risk Data (FFRD) initiative which aims to empower a shift from binary (in/out) to probabilistic (graduated) hazard and risk analyses while also modernizing data management and delivery, empowering private and public stakeholders, and driving more risk-informed mitigation, planning, and insurance actions. Early stages of the initiative focused on probabilistic analyses approaches and potential applications that serve a wide array of stakeholders. As this presentation will showcase, recent efforts have taken this further to advance capabilities to package, visualize, and disseminate graduated data to serve the risk management community. FFRD aims to put rich and flexible hazard and risk data into the hands of users. However, while current FIRMs oversimplify the complex nature of flood hazards, FEMA recognizes that graduated datasets and the maps they generate could present the inverse challenge of being overly confusing and cumbersome for many users. Eventually, access to graduated data may be supported by an ecosystem of contributors creating tools for users across different disciplines and technical skill levels. In the near term, it is essential to have a starting point: intuitive presentation methods, data formats, and open-source tools to provide access to a wide variety of early-stage users and contributors. This will also be a steppingstone to empower meaningful early-stage stakeholder engagement and project piloting. This presentation will share efforts the FFRD team has taken to explore needs and opportunities to make graduated data products and services versatile and responsive to the range of stakeholder needs. Accessibility and usability are critical to ensuring that FFRD initiatives advance equity objectives by serving communities with varying levels of capacity and resources.

2) National Water Prediction Service (NWPS) – An Upgrade to the National Weather Service (NWS) Hydrologic Web Presence
Megan Terry, CFM, National Weather Service, megan.terry@noaa.gov
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: As part of an effort to modernize hydrologic datasets available on National Weather Service (NWS) websites, a major upgrade to the accessibility and usability of NWS hydrologic observations and forecasts will be available in Spring of 2024 through the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS). Within an interactive mapping interface, users will be able to display and interrogate river, lake and precipitation data, flood inundation maps and streamflow prediction information from the National Water Model, all from one website. Hydrographs showing observed and forecast river data will be scalable in time, so the user is no longer confined to a set amount of past data that is currently provided in the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS). Precipitation accumulation times will also be scalable and can be sampled in real‐time. This presentation will include a combination of still shots, animations and live web interaction that will be used to share NWPS enhancements in hydrologic services, and aid floodplain managers in their planning and mitigation activities.
Biography: Megan Terry is a Service Hydrologist (SH) and Meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) in Springfield, Missouri. She oversees hydrologic operations, which includes sharing the latest research applications with NWS staff, and conducting flood safety outreach with the public. She coordinates with the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and local Emergency Management Officials to enhance flood warning operations for area rivers and dams. Megan became a Certified Floodplain Manager in 2016 and is celebrating her 7th year as a CFM.

3) USGS Real-time Flood Impact Map (Pilot)
Athena Clark, US Geological Survey,athclark@usgs.gov
Co-presenters: None

Abstract: USGS products such as the National Water Information System (NWIS) and WaterWatch are the flagship products for displaying USGS stream gage data. Unfortunately, because the data is displayed in a technical format, the data can be misunderstood. What does “Gage height, feet” mean? What are the real-world impacts when “Gage height” reaches a certain foot? In order to increase the usefulness of the USGS stream gage, the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System (NGWOS) funded a project in FY21 to demonstrate an “Alternative Way of Delivering USGS Stream gage Data”. The project deliverable was the USGS Real-time Flood Impact Map. The Real-Time Flood Impact Map displays the locations (called “Flood Impact Locations”) where the USGS has measured the height of critical safety or infrastructure features that may be vulnerable to flood impacts. Some examples of flood impact locations include stream and river embankments; roads and bridges; pedestrian paths; buildings; and more. Flood Impact Locations are surveyed and associated with a nearby USGS real-time stream gage. When the stream gage water level (or gage height) exceeds the Flood Impact Location’s surveyed height, its icon will display on the map, showing that this location may be currently flooded. When you click on the icon, the pop-up will display the current gage height and the Flood Impact Location height, so you can compare how close that location is to the current water level. Some Flood Impact Locations may be measured below the level of actual flooding to provide an early warning that flooding may be imminent. The following are the flood impact icon descriptions currently represented:

• Embankment Flooded – Flood waters are overflowing the stream/river channel and into the surrounding area.
• Path Flooded – Pedestrian greenway/trail/path is underwater.
• Road Flooded – Road is underwater.
• Bridge Flood at Risk – Water from the river or stream has reached the bottom of the bridge.
• Bridge Flooded – Bridge is underwater.
• Structures Flooded – Water from the river or stream has reached the lowest finished floor of the structure (FEMA Finished Floor Elevation, or FFE). FEMA 100-year BFE – The FEMA 100-year Base Flood Elevation (BFE) has been reached.
• Uncategorized – This Flood Impact Location is experiencing flooding. For more information about this location, open the icon’s pop-up and look for the “Flood Impact Type” description. The white circles on the map represent all Flood Impact Locations that have been measured but are not currently flooding. You can use the date picker to retroactively view Active Flood Locations of any 7-day period within the last calendar year.