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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I. 10 Flood Insurance Floodplain Acquisition. Floodplain land can be publicly acquired by purchase or by the dedication of such lands by future developers as perma- nent open space. The implementation of floodplain management can be enhanced by insurance. Acquisition of floodplain land may be a cost-effective form of floodplain management. When it is done, other benefits may be realized. The Federal Insurance Administration has a fl00d insurance program. Exist- ing flood-prone properties can obtain insurance at subsidized rates. New buildings would be subject to actuarial rates. The program has shown that actuarial rates virtually rule out any further development of floodplains. Experience has shown that the benefits derived from a floodplain site are not able to offset the costs associated with the flood risk if the Owner must absorb the losses. Floodplain storage will be preserved. reation may be provided. Trails may to link recreational and park areas. be preserved. Open space for selected passive rec- be constructed along the floodplains Finally, floodplain ecosystems may Through mortgage institutions, flood insurance is required on all buildings for which new mortgages are to be made following the publishing of Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Floodplain Information and Education PROGRAM ELEMENTS As part of a long term program, the delineation of the flood hazard will be undertaken. Information on the flood hazard is a vital input to any flood damage reduction actions. A floodplain management program includes a range of measures for planning and action which must be integrated, implemented, and regularly evaluated. It can be most effective when multiple-uses are included as part of the program. There are many competing demands for urban land, and therefore, single-purpose utilization of floodplain lands for conveyance and storage of floodwaters does not usually repres~nt optimized use. The development of floodplain information should be accompanied with an information program. Floodplain maps accompanied by information on mea- sures which a property owner can undertake to mitigate his potential losses can be provided. The news media can be contacted and er,couraged to disseminate the information on floodplains and adjustments. Small pamphlets can be publ ished that will contain the mapping, so that citizens can under- stand the areal extent of the floodplain and potential adjustments which can be undertaken. Further, multiple-use of floodplain lands also provides the basis for multi- source funding and better support from the general publ ic and private interests. The floodplain management program must represent an integration of the many components. Integration must be aimed at developing cooperative benefits. Significant educational efforts will help the citizens to become aware of the range of actions which can be taken to mitigate the effects of flooding. Films, video tape, and slides may be used to help communicate this infor- mati on. Program Evaluation The floodplain management program requires regular evaluation to measure success or failure. Benchmark conditions would be establ ished to allow objective evaluation against a predetermined standard. Evaluations annually are appropriate. Various methods can be used to mark and make known the floodplain in the field. FLOODWAY DATA Flood Forecasts and Emergency Measures prediction of floods with appropriate forecasts or warnings delivered with credibility can trigger a series of emergency measures which will reduce flood damages. This is true even where only a short lead time is available. A simple warning can significantly reduce the tragedy of a flood. The floodplain and floodway reference data are tabulated in Table IV-I. This table 1 ists the station of the existing floodway centerline, the thalweg elevation, the lOO-year floodplain elevation, the floodway top width and location relative to floodway centerline, and the floodway surcharge elevation at each cross section studied. Flood Proofing The floodway is that portion of the floodplain which is required to pass the IOO-year flood event without raising the flood profile more than an acceptable amount and also represents that portion of the floodplain that is most hazardous to personal safety and welfare. In this study, the flood- way was defined as the 1 imit of encroachment into the existing channel floodplain where the flood profiles are not increased by more than 0.5 feet; or where the average velocity exceeded 4 feet per second; or where the depth exceeded 2 feet; whichever was more restrictive. The use of flood proofing is an important nonstructural floodplain manage- ment tool. Flood proofing consists of those adjustments, to structures and building contents, which are designed or adapted primarily to reduce flood damages. Flood proofing is applicable mainly to substantial structures such as many which are used for commercial purposes. This concept allows private property managers to take actions to reduce their flood risks. Flood proof- ing is a viable and practical means for reducing flood losses.