2012 - Ninth Annual2012 - Ninth AnnualTFMA Freeboard SurveyTFMA Freeboard Survey

Special AcknowledgementSpecial AcknowledgementTo To

Charlie Hastings PE, CFM, who initiated the Charlie Hastings PE, CFM, who initiated the First TFMA Survey in 2004 First TFMA Survey in 2004

Halff Associates

““Work in Progress”Work in Progress”

Roy Sedwick, CFM – TFMA/TCRFCRoy Sedwick, CFM – TFMA/TCRFC Mike Segner, CFM – TWDB (SC/NFIP)Mike Segner, CFM – TWDB (SC/NFIP) John Ivey, PE, CFM – Halff AssociatesJohn Ivey, PE, CFM – Halff Associates

Halff Associates

Higher Standards QuestionHigher Standards Question

Can a Texas County adopt Can a Texas County adopt higher Standards?higher Standards?

Yes___; No___Yes___; No___

Halff Associates

Senate Bill 936Senate Bill 936 Amends the Texas Water CodeAmends the Texas Water Code Authorizes political subdivisions to adopt more Authorizes political subdivisions to adopt more

comprehensive floodplain management rulescomprehensive floodplain management rules Authorizes participate in floodplain management and Authorizes participate in floodplain management and

mitigation initiatives such as FEMA’s Community Rating mitigation initiatives such as FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) ProgramSystem (CRS) Program

Allows collection of reasonable fees to cover the cost of Allows collection of reasonable fees to cover the cost of administering a local floodplain management program administering a local floodplain management program

Allows steps, using regional, watershed, and multi-Allows steps, using regional, watershed, and multi-objective approaches, to improve the long-range objective approaches, to improve the long-range management and use of flood-prone areas management and use of flood-prone areas

Halff Associates

TFMA’s Freeboard GoalsTFMA’s Freeboard Goals

Reduce the risk of loss of life and property Reduce the risk of loss of life and property damage from floodsdamage from floods

Encourage wise floodplain developmentEncourage wise floodplain development Reduce annual flood claims Reduce annual flood claims Reduce the number of Repetitive Loss and Reduce the number of Repetitive Loss and

Severe Repetitive Loss properties Severe Repetitive Loss properties Encourage higher floodplain standardsEncourage higher floodplain standards Increase participation in CRSIncrease participation in CRS

Halff Associates

NFIP Flood Claims in TexasNFIP Flood Claims in Texas(Thank God Texas is no longer #1) (Thank God Texas is no longer #1)

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

16 1978-20121978-2012 $5.4 Billion (Texas)$5.4 Billion (Texas) $40.8 Billion Nationally$40.8 Billion Nationally Texas represents 13.4%Texas represents 13.4% Louisiana, Texas and Louisiana, Texas and

Florida = 61.6% Florida = 61.6%

www.fema.govwww.fema.gov

Bil

lio

n $

TEXAS LOUISIANA FLORIDA

Halff Associates

2012 Freeboard Questionnaire2012 Freeboard Questionnaire

Zone AE/VE - New construction must be Zone AE/VE - New construction must be elevated ___ feet above BFE as shown on elevated ___ feet above BFE as shown on FIRM (existing conditions).FIRM (existing conditions).

Zone AE/VE - New construction must be Zone AE/VE - New construction must be elevated ___ feet above BFE determined elevated ___ feet above BFE determined by a study based on by a study based on fully developed fully developed watershed (future conditions)watershed (future conditions)

Halff Associates

Zone A (no BFE) - Developer must conduct Zone A (no BFE) - Developer must conduct a study to define the BFE.a study to define the BFE.

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

[Note: [Note: Study required if development exceeds 50 Study required if development exceeds 50 lots or 5 acres – 44CFR60.3(b)(3)] lots or 5 acres – 44CFR60.3(b)(3)]

Halff Associates

Zone A (unnumbered)Zone A (unnumbered)

Developer must conduct a study to define Developer must conduct a study to define the floodplain and floodway boundaries the floodplain and floodway boundaries and BFE’s based on and BFE’s based on existingexisting conditions. conditions.

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

Halff Associates

Zone A (unnumbered)Zone A (unnumbered)

Developer must conduct a study to define Developer must conduct a study to define the floodplain and floodway boundaries the floodplain and floodway boundaries and BFE’s based on and BFE’s based on fully developedfully developed watershed (future conditions)watershed (future conditions)

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

Halff Associates

Floodway RequirementsFloodway Requirements

Floodway - no development is allowed Floodway - no development is allowed within the floodway boundary.within the floodway boundary.

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

[[Several communities prohibit all development in Several communities prohibit all development in

the floodwaythe floodway]]

Halff Associates

Floodway RequirementsFloodway Requirements

No fill is allowed in the floodway or No fill is allowed in the floodway or floodplain without mitigation (No Adverse floodplain without mitigation (No Adverse Impact = NAI).Impact = NAI).

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

[[Several communities prohibit development even if Several communities prohibit development even if

there is no risethere is no rise]]

Halff Associates

Detention RequirementsDetention Requirements

Is Detention Required?Is Detention Required?Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

Notes:Notes: 1. 1. Several communities require “No Several communities require “No

Adverse Adverse Impact” (NAI)Impact” (NAI) 2. 2. Several communities require mitigation of Several communities require mitigation of

all fill placed in floodplain and floodwayall fill placed in floodplain and floodway 3. 3. Several communities require zero rise for Several communities require zero rise for

all development within the SFHAall development within the SFHA

Halff Associates

Requirements in Zones B, C & XRequirements in Zones B, C & X

Zone X (Shaded) - New construction must Zone X (Shaded) - New construction must be elevated ___ feet above natural grade be elevated ___ feet above natural grade or above the crown of the nearest street.or above the crown of the nearest street.

[[Friendswood and other communities require Friendswood and other communities require new construction to be elevated a minimum of new construction to be elevated a minimum of +2’ in Zone X-shaded and Zone X-unshaded+2’ in Zone X-shaded and Zone X-unshaded]]

Halff Associates

Requirements in Zones B, C & XRequirements in Zones B, C & X

Zone X (Unshaded) - New construction Zone X (Unshaded) - New construction must be elevated ___ feet above natural must be elevated ___ feet above natural grade or the crown of the nearest street.grade or the crown of the nearest street.

Note: FEMA’s definition of Zone X (shaded) is Note: FEMA’s definition of Zone X (shaded) is areas of 2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% areas of 2% annual chance flood; areas of 1% annual chance flood with average depths of less annual chance flood with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; and areas protected by levees from square mile; and areas protected by levees from 1% annual chance flood.1% annual chance flood.

Halff Associates

Elevation CertificatesElevation Certificates

Elevation Certificate Requirements - Elevation Certificate Requirements - (1) Submitted prior to forming/pouring lowest (1) Submitted prior to forming/pouring lowest

floor. Yes ____; No ____;floor. Yes ____; No ____; (2) Submitted when structure is completed. (2) Submitted when structure is completed.

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____; (3) Required prior to issuing a CO. (3) Required prior to issuing a CO.

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____;

Note: Several communities require multiple EC Note: Several communities require multiple EC submittals.submittals.

Halff Associates

Community Rating SystemCommunity Rating System

Is your community enrolled in CRS? Is your community enrolled in CRS?

Yes ____; No ____;Yes ____; No ____; Current CRS Rating ___Current CRS Rating ___ Is your community floodplain manager a Is your community floodplain manager a

CFM? Yes ____; No ____;CFM? Yes ____; No ____;

How many CFM’s does your community How many CFM’s does your community have on staff? ___have on staff? ___

Halff Associates

Higher Standard ExamplesHigher Standard Examples Detention (on-site and/or regional)Detention (on-site and/or regional) Setbacks from FP and/or FW boundariesSetbacks from FP and/or FW boundaries CLOMR required before permit issuedCLOMR required before permit issued No development in floodway or “Zero Rise”No development in floodway or “Zero Rise” No development in floodplain or “Zero Rise”No development in floodplain or “Zero Rise” No Adverse Impact (NAI)No Adverse Impact (NAI) Additional Wetland/Wildlife requirementsAdditional Wetland/Wildlife requirements Floodplain area must be open space or in easement Floodplain area must be open space or in easement Critical Facilities must be elevated above 500-yearCritical Facilities must be elevated above 500-year No loss of “Valley Storage”No loss of “Valley Storage” Cumulative Substantial Improvement/DamageCumulative Substantial Improvement/Damage Water quality (protection) requirementsWater quality (protection) requirements Other higher standards ……….Other higher standards ……….

Halff Associates

2012 Survey Results2012 Survey Results

211, 84%

63, 25%

+1 or Higher Freeboard

+1 or Higher (Fully-Developed Conditions)

Halff Associates

2012 TFMA Freeboard Survey2012 TFMA Freeboard Survey

250 communities responded (to date)250 communities responded (to date) 202 Incorporated communities and 48 counties202 Incorporated communities and 48 counties 211 (84%) have adopted +1’ or more freeboard211 (84%) have adopted +1’ or more freeboard 63 (25%) Require BFE’s using fully developed hydrology 63 (25%) Require BFE’s using fully developed hydrology 60 (24%) require detention60 (24%) require detention 132 (53%) have a CFM on staff132 (53%) have a CFM on staff HCFCD has 9 CFM’s on staffHCFCD has 9 CFM’s on staff COSA has 20 CFM’s on staffCOSA has 20 CFM’s on staff Dallas has 15 CFM’s on staffDallas has 15 CFM’s on staff TxDOT has 31 CFM’s across the stateTxDOT has 31 CFM’s across the state Halff Associates has 50 CFM’s in TexasHalff Associates has 50 CFM’s in Texas

Halff Associates

Benefits of Benefits of NCTCOG’s Higher StandardsNCTCOG’s Higher Standards

2012 Population2012 Population 6,640,2906,640,290 2000-2010 Growth2000-2010 Growth 1,230,673 (23%)1,230,673 (23%) NFIP PoliciesNFIP Policies 23,75223,752 NFIP ClaimsNFIP Claims 5,852 5,852 (1)(1)

Claims/10,000 popClaims/10,000 pop 8.818.81 (1)(1) Total from 1978 to 2012 Total from 1978 to 2012

Halff Associates

Benefits of Benefits of NCTCOG’s Higher StandardsNCTCOG’s Higher Standards

RL PropertiesRL Properties 660 660 (1)(1)

RL ClaimsRL Claims 1,921 1,921 (1)(1)

Declared Flood DisastersDeclared Flood Disasters68 68 (1)(1)

Planning AreaPlanning Area 12,796 sq mi12,796 sq mi DensityDensity 519 persons/sq mi519 persons/sq mi CRS CommunitiesCRS Communities 17 (31%)17 (31%) (1)(1) Total from 1978 to 2012 Total from 1978 to 2012 Data sources:Data sources:

• NCTCOG NCTCOG • FEMA CISFEMA CIS

Halff Associates

Halff Associates

Halff Associates

Higher Standards ResourcesHigher Standards Resources

ASFPM – www.floods.org http://www.floods.org/ace-files/documentli

brary/committees/Higher_Stds_Ref_Guide_07-12-11.pdf

www.floods.org NAI Committee - NAI Committee - A A Common Sense Strategy for Common Sense Strategy for Floodplain ManagementFloodplain Management

Halff Associates

A Guide for Higher Standards in Floodplain Management

Prepared by: ASFPM Floodplain Regulations Committee

June 2011

Halff Associates

Guide for Higher StandardsGuide for Higher Standards

I.I. FREEBOARDFREEBOARD II. ACCESS (INGRESS-EGRESS) II. ACCESS (INGRESS-EGRESS)

III. COMPENSATORY STORAGE III. COMPENSATORY STORAGE

IV. CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT PROTECTION IV. CRITICAL DEVELOPMENT PROTECTION

V. CUMULATIVE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE/IMPROVEMENT V. CUMULATIVE SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE/IMPROVEMENT

VI. FILL STANDARDS VI. FILL STANDARDS

VII. FLOODWAY RISE VII. FLOODWAY RISE

VIII. FOUNDATION DESIGN VIII. FOUNDATION DESIGN

Halff Associates

IX. FUTURE CONDITIONS HYROLOGIC MAPPING

X. MATERIALS STORAGE

XI. SETBACKS

XII. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

XIII. SUBDIVISION STANDARDS

XIV. USE RESTRICTIONS

XV. REGULATING AREAS NOT MAPPED ON FIRM

XVI. ELEVATION OF ALL ADDITIONS

XVII. COASTAL SITING

XVIII.DUNE PROTECTION

Halff Associates

XIX. COASTAL CONSTRUCTION XX. COASTAL A ZONE

XXI. SINK HOLE STANDARDS

XXII. PLAYA LAKE STANDARDS

XXIII.ALLUVIAL FAN STANDARDS

XXIV.RIGHT OF ENTRY TO ENFORCE FLOOD PLAIN ORDINANCE

XXV. ENFORCEMENT – FINES AND PENALTIES

Halff Associates

FREEBOARD FREEBOARD REQUIREMENTS IN ZONE D: REQUIREMENTS IN ZONE D:

Zone D: areas mapped as Zone D on Zone D: areas mapped as Zone D on the community Flood Insurance Rate the community Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), are defined as areas in Map (FIRM), are defined as areas in which flood hazards are undetermined, which flood hazards are undetermined, but possiblebut possible

FEMA’s proposed levee mapping FEMA’s proposed levee mapping procedures for decertified levees is to procedures for decertified levees is to map areas behind decertified levees as map areas behind decertified levees as Zone D and Zone AEZone D and Zone AE

Halff Associates

Figure 4-2. Sound Reach Figure 4-2. Sound Reach Cross Section ViewCross Section View

Halff Associates

Figure 4-4. Freeboard Figure 4-4. Freeboard Deficient Cross Section ViewDeficient Cross Section View

Halff Associates

Figure 4-6. Overtopping Cross Figure 4-6. Overtopping Cross Section ViewSection View

Halff Associates

Figure 4-8 Structural-Based Figure 4-8 Structural-Based Inundation Cross Section ViewInundation Cross Section View

Halff Associates

Figure 4-10. Natural Valley Figure 4-10. Natural Valley Cross Section ViewCross Section View

Halff Associates

Zone D ChallengesZone D Challenges

Communities typically do not deal with Communities typically do not deal with Zone DZone D

Flood insurance is not required in Zone D Flood insurance is not required in Zone D however lenders may require anywayhowever lenders may require anyway

Zone D rates are higher than Zones B, C, Zone D rates are higher than Zones B, C, X X

Halff Associates

MODEL LANGUAGEMODEL LANGUAGE

Add the following sentence (bolded) to specific Add the following sentence (bolded) to specific requirements for Residential Structures and requirements for Residential Structures and Non-Residential structures: Non-Residential structures:

In areas mapped as Zone D on the In areas mapped as Zone D on the community Flood Insurance Rate Map community Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the structure shall have the lowest (FIRM), the structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated at least floor, including basement, elevated at least two feet above the highest adjacent natural two feet above the highest adjacent natural grade or above the crown of the nearest grade or above the crown of the nearest street, whichever is higher.street, whichever is higher.

Halff Associates

Thank you for participating!Thank you for participating!

Roy says “Higher Standards saves lives and Roy says “Higher Standards saves lives and reduces flood losses”reduces flood losses”

Submit Surveys to John Ivey at Submit Surveys to John Ivey at jivey@halff.com

Survey can be downloaded fromSurvey can be downloaded from

www.tfma.org