FEMA unveils new rule on flooding risk

Hi can the US gird against more extreme flooding? Governing magazine cited a vital consideration: we don’t have statewide or national watershed system models, just FEMA floodplain models. #USinfrastructure #communityplanning #HurricaneHelene #waterinfrastructure

Sea level rise will create a profound shift in coastal flooding, causing tide and storm surge heights to increase and reach further inland. We need to be smart not just about how we build, but how we rebuild after flooding and other climate-driven disasters. Happy to see progress from FEMA this week with their *new* final rule to implement the influential Federal Flood Risk Management Standard, which will now consider climate science when rebuilding after flooding. The new rule will make taxpayer-funded projects far more resilient to flooding, protecting federal investments and reducing the risk of damage and loss from floods. #OceanClimateAction https://lnkd.in/eNnwy_5u

After surviving a hurricane double whammy this month, I decided to check the date of the last update FEMA made to our region's flood maps. Even though we did not personally experience flooding in our neighborhood, we had quite a bit of flooding in the surrounding areas. My findings did NOT give me warm and fuzzy feelings. In our case, the last time our map had been updated was in September of 2007 although the maps require review every 5 years. The area's development has significantly evolved since then, leading to fewer spaces for water management and more infrastructure. Unfortunately, this is the information developers and communities have to work with. A 50% chance of being correct and models that are in some cases nearly 20 years old. We must learn to build differently, plan differently and better equip ourselves with accurate information to address the challenges of a swiftly changing climate. #climateadaptation #resilienceplanning #climateresilience Accurate Flood Maps are Essential for Climate Adaptation https://buff.ly/4ffYqUD.

TRCA's efforts to protect the Toronto region from flood risks have been featured in a TIME article on urban resilience! 💧 Learn how Toronto's response to Hurricane Hazel shaped our city's flood mitigation strategies and why our work remains critical today. 📖 Read the story: https://lnkd.in/guYyAN5p #TRCAFlood #FloodResilience #FloodRiskManagement

Nature-based solutions (NBS) promote working with nature, not against it. Restoring wetlands, planting trees, and implementing other natural features upstream can slow water flow and reduce peak levels reaching populated areas. Unlike traditional defenses, NBS offers a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to flood management in the long run. This approach requires a change in perspective, moving away from purely reactive solutions towards a holistic strategy that integrates nature. NBS takes a proactive and preventative approach by addressing the root causes of flooding, like increased runoff from developed land. This contrasts with "reactive" solutions that only respond to floods after they occur. NBS can adapt to changing weather patterns and future climate scenarios. Traditional defenses might become obsolete as flood events become more extreme. Nature-based solutions offer a promising path forward, fostering long-term resilience and adaptability in the face of climate change. #InvestInNature #NaturePositive #ClimateAction #ProtectOurWater #FloodPreparedness

When it comes to flood resilience, knowing the type of flooding you're protecting against is crucial. Whether it's riverine, coastal, or stormwater flooding, identifying the risks helps ensure the right mitigation solutions are in place. Looking for expert guidance? Floodproofing.com offers a complimentary assessment of your project to help you stay flood-ready. Remember, 1st rule in Flood Resilience is understanding the type of threat! Don't wait until it's too late—reach out today and protect what matters most. #FloodResilience #FloodMitigation #FloodProtection #FloodInsurance #FloodplainManagement #ResilientCommunities #FloodBarriers #KnowYourRisk #KnowYourZone #CEU #Flood #FlashFlood #FloodMaps #Passive #Active #NFIP #CommunityRatingSystem #PPI #LunchAndLearn

Reading this, it's clear that the economic impact of increased / more intense flooding will be enormous. This is just one watershed. The public dollrs that need to go into this. The insurance implications. I spoke with one leader at a major city water agency, and the shear volume of stormwater water she mentioned is generated in the now increasingly more frequent '100-year floods/rain events' is just astronomical. Cities don't know what to do with the water. We'll have to do what we can and adapt, but that's about all we can do. https://lnkd.in/dCJqRFd5

There's an interesting trend happening with the Texas Legislature: extreme weather events are setting the agenda with greater frequency. This happened in 2013 (drought), 2017 (Harvey), 2021 (Winter Storm Uri), 2023 (Uri again), and is likely to happen in 2025 (Hurricane Beryl and Panhandle wildfires). In this op-ed in The Dallas Morning News I explore this trend and offer an alternative. Instead of adopting policies reactive to extreme weather events, state policy makers should pursue a resilience agenda. This includes greater electricity generation and transmission for hotter days, dedicated funding for water supplies and fixing aging water systems, and funding for flood control and mitigation projects. https://lnkd.in/gZAzZbGf

A new FEMA agency rule was just published! The Federal Flood Risk Management Standard aims to strengthen public infrastructure as communities face increasing climate-driven flood risks. Now, federally funded construction projects rebuilt post-disaster must consider future flood risks and nature-based solutions, as well as be elevated at least two feet above base flood elevation or be relocated. These changes will help reduce repetitive flood losses for individuals and communities while also saving taxpayers money. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/4d2Zudn 

With the incidence of flooding on the inexorable rise, nature-based solutions in the upper catchment areas offer a tried and tested method of reducing flood risk. As the article points out, there is a limit to our human hard engineering capabilities - then it's time to turn to nature #flooding #naturebasedsolutions #naturalcapital https://lnkd.in/e2kE2ahT