FLOOD03137

• County: Statewide
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: Guide for Flood and Flash Flood Preparedness Planning
• Date: 5/1/1977
• Prepared For: USDOC
• Prepared By: USDOC
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Flood Mitigation/Flood Warning/Watershed Restoration

II. Planning Guidance

e

The numerous aspects of flood prepared-
ness plans might be arranged in a number
of ways equally satisfactory for purposes of
discussion or planning. As presented in this
section and throughout the Guide, they are
organized into seven elements titled Warn-
ing, Evacuation and Rescue, Damage Reduc-
tion, Recovery, Public Information, Plan Im-
plementation and Plan Maintenance. The
guidance provided for each element includes
a brief statement of objectives, listing of rele-
vant tasks and descriptions of the subtasks
comprising each task.

Of the 57 tasks making up the seven ele-
ments, several are vital in every case includ-
ing:

Flood Recognition Task;
Warning Dissemination Task;
Evacuation Procedures Development
Task;
Emergency Action Task;
Prepare Public Information Program
Subtask;
Responsibility Allocation Task; and
Plan Practice Task.

These important tasks are at the heart of
an effective preparedness plan. In the case
of communities subject to severe flooding
and having minimal warning time, these
seven tasks may constitute the major por-
tions of the preparedness plan.

A. Warning Element

Communities subject to flooding from more
than one source or which are vulnerable to
different types of flooding may need two or
more warning systems using different ap-
proaches applicable to each type or source
of flooding, Similarly, preparedness plans for
such communities may need to incorporate
distinctly different procedures (e.g" evacua-
tion) according to the source of flooding,
available warning time and other factors.

Selection of the proper tasks for inclusion
in a flood preparedness plan and determina-
tion of the depth and detail to which each
should be addressed depends on the analy-
sis of the problems, resources and needs of
the area. The level of plan sophistication
suggested by such analysis generally in-
creases with the frequency and severity of
expected flooding, the size of the popula-
tion affected, and shorter warning times.

The particular importance of the Flood
Recognition and Warning Dissemination
Tasks should not be overlooked in allocating
available resources, The length of warning
time which is available limits the protective A.!
actions which can be taken, especially in .,
areas subject to flash floods. The increase in
warning time gained by upgrading minimum
warning systems to high performance levels
may enable inclusion in the plan of addi-
tional tasks otherwise impractical or provide
for complete execution of the tasks already
considered.

Planning Objectives

To define systems for early recogni-
tion of floods and dissemination of
warnings which are accurate, timely
and reliable.

Planning Tasks

Flood Recognition
Warning Dissemination

Planning Guidance
Flood Recognition Task

A1. Select a suitable local warning point'
which:

a. is operational and staffed on a 24
hour basis;

b. has adequate communications cap-
ability to receive flood information by

I The term "warning poinf' is used to denote the loca-
tion at which flood watches and flood warnings, HIf e
help system reports, and flash flood a/arm signals
are received and any focal forscasts are prepared.
Warning points may be emergency operation centers.
police or fire stations or other suitable (acilities.

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