Flooding Resources
WRC Flooding Educational Materials
Floodplain Management
- Flood Mitigation for Pennsylvania’s Rural Communities Report (The Center for Rural Pennsylvania)
- SPC Flooding Factsheets and Infographics
- Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center
- Floodplain Management page (FEMA)
- Floodplain Management Publications (FEMA)
- Naturally Resilient Communities Tool (NRCS)
- Floodplain Management (PEMA)
- Flood Loss Avoidance – Benefits of Green Infrastructure (EPA)
- Developing a Municipal Outreach Campaign for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
- Developing a Community Engagement Program for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
- Managing Disasters at the County Level: A Focus on Flooding (NACO)
- Working With Nature to Manage Stormwater (ConservationTools.org)
- Stream Processes: A Guide to Living in Harmony with Streams (Chemung County Soil & Water Conservation District, 2006)
- Guidelines for Maintaining Streams in Your Community (DEP)
- What is a Floodplain video (City of Norman, OK, 2019)
- Floodplain Management: Principles and Current Practices, Chapter 8 (FEMA EMI)
- Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding: A Guide for Communities (FEMA, 2005)
- Flooding and Small Businesses (FEMA)
- Natural and Beneficial Floodplain Functions: Floodplain Management— More than Flood Loss Reduction (ASFPM, 2008)
- Valuing the Benefits that Floodplains Provide to People (USGS, 2018)
- Why We Need to Restore Floodplains (American Rivers, ND)
- Restoring Floodplain Elements (Naturally Resilient Communities tool)
- Addressing Your Community’s Flood Problems: A Guide for Elected Officials (FEMA, 1996)
- Video: Stream Behavior – Upstream/Downstream Effects (NY State Water Resources Institute, 2015)
- Video: Unintended Effects of Dredging (Wild Trout Trust, 2013)
- Fells Point Flood Mitigation Guidelines (City of Baltimore, 2018)
- 2018: A Year of Rain in Southwestern PA Infographic
- Flood Risk in Southwestern PA Infographic
- Urban Flooding: Moving Towards Resilience (ASFPM, 2019)
Mapping Resources
- Map Service Center (FEMA)
- National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) (FEMA)
- PA Flood Maps (DCED)
- Flood Risk Map (Flood Tools)TM
- FEMA Publication 258 – Guide to Flood Maps: Using the Flood Map to Improve Your Understanding of Risk (FEMA, 2009)
- NFIP Map Changes and Flood Insurance: What Property Owners Need to Know (FEMA)
- Flood Hazard Mapping Updates (FEMA)
- Multiple Natural Hazard Index for US Counties (ESRI)
- How to Map Open Space for CRS Credit (NOAA)
- Assess Open Space to Lower Flood Insurance Costs ArcGIS Lesson (ESRI)
- Hazus Tool (FEMA)
- Data Visualization: Historical Flood Risk and Costs (FEMA)
- eLOMA platform (FEMA)
- Online LOMC tool (FEMA)
- Flood Map Revision Process (FEMA)
Insurance Resources
- NFIP Flood Insurance Manual
- Flood Insurance (PA Insurance Commission)
- FoodSmart.gov
- FloodTools Loss Calculator
- National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage (FEMA)
- Elevation Certificate Form (FEMA)
- Elevation Certificate Workshop (SPC)
- Common mistakes of Elevation Certificates (SPC)
- Elevation Certificate Vocabulary (SPC)
- PrepTalks: Understanding the Value of Insurance (FEMA)
- Substantial Damage Estimate (SDE) Tool (FEMA)
- Flood Insurance Manual (FEMA)
- Policy and Claim Statistics of Flood Insurance (FEMA)
- Flood Risk and Insurance Study (NAIC)
- Office of Flood Insurance Advocate (FEMA)
- Insurance Agent Training (FEMA)
- Information for Insurance Professionals (FEMA)
- Information for Lenders (FEMA)
- NFIP Insurance Agents’ Publications and Outreach Materials (FEMA)
- How Do I Buy Flood Insurance? (FEMA)
- How to File a Flood Insurance Claim (FEMA)
- Individual Assistance (PEMA)
- Licensed Insurance Companies in PA (PA Insurance Department)
- Write Your Own Flood Insurance Company List (FEMA)
- Introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) (FAS)
- Private Flood Insurance and the National Flood Insurance Program (2019)
Local Regulation Resources
- Local Government Flood Resources (DCED)
- Comparison of Selected NFIP and 2018 I-Code Requirements for SFHAs (FEMA)
- White Paper: Integration of Stormwater with Floodplain Management (PAFPM)
- Why Does My Community Flood More Than It Used To? (Penn State Extension)
- Sample Floodplain Ordinance (Etna Borough, PA)
- Floodplain Ordinance Standard Operating Procedure (FEMA)
- Publication 480: Floodplain Management Requirements (FEMA)
- 44 CFR 60.3 – Flood plain management criteria for flood-prone areas
- Flood Insurance Manual (FEMA)
- NFIP Guidance for Conducting CAV (FEMA)
- FAQ on Biggert-Waters Act (FEMA)
- Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 – Impact of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Changes (FEMA)
- Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act in 2014 (FEMA)
- Understanding and Managing Flood Risk: A Guide for Elected Officials (ASFPM, 2020)
- Developing a Municipal Outreach Campaign for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
- Developing a Community Engagement Program for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
Emergency Management Resources
- PA Floodplain Management and Flood Insurance
- County VOADs (PA VOAD)
- Emergency Removal Permit Fact Sheet (DEP)
- Post-Disaster Stream Recovery Brochure (DEP)
- Federal Disaster Assistance: The National Flood Insurance Program and Other Federal Disaster Assistance Programs Available to Individuals and Households After a Flood (FAS)
- “Turn Around Don’t Drown” information and resources (Weather.gov)
- Flood Playbook (America’s PrepareAthon!)
- DisasterAssitance.gov
- Flood Safety Social Media Toolkit (Ready.gov)
- Wharton Risk Management and Decision Processes Center
- PA Hack-For-Resilience (Wharton Risk Center)
- USGS Stream Gauges
- Ready.gov
- Pennsylvania Emergency Preparedness Guide (PEMA)
- Commonwealth Emergency Operations Plan (PEMA)
- Mobile App Alerts (FEMA)
- Disaster Recovery Centers (FEMA)
- MyRainReady (CNT)
- Game of Floods (Marin County, CA)
- Flood Resilience Checklist (EPA)
- Protect Your Home From Flooding (FEMA)
- Factsheet Series: Protect Your Property from Flooding (FEMA)
- After the Storm brochure (PWRA)
- Flood Risk Communication Toolkit for Community Officials (FEMA)
- Flood Risk Communication Video Series (FEMA)
- Flood Safety (American Red Cross)
- How to Prepare for a Flood (FEMA)
- When the Clouds Form video (FEMA)
- Flood Survival Guide (Alarms.org)
- Flood Mitigation Measures for Multi-Family Buildings (FEMA)
Community Rating System (CRS) Resources
- CRS StoryMap (SPC)
- SPC CRS Workshop (SPC)
- The NFIP Floodplain Management Requirements (FEMA)
- Floodplain Management Ordinance Review Checklist
- CRS Quick Check
- Become CRS Ready (FEMA)
- PA CRS Communities – scroll to Page 39 (FEMA)
- CRS Fact Sheet (FEMA)
- CRS Coordinator’s Manual (FEMA)
- CRS Resource Website (CRSresources.org)
- CRS Coordinator Position Description (CRSresources.org)
- Certified Floodplain Manager
- Elevation Certificates (FEMA)
- CRS Key Topics Bulletin (FEMA)
- Master List of Creditable CRS Activities and Elements
- How to Map Open Space for CRS Credit (NOAA)
- Assess Open Space to Lower Flood Insurance Cost – ArcGIS Lesson (ESRI)
- CRS for Community Resilience Green Guide (Flood Science Center)
- CRS Record-Keeping Guidance (FEMA)
- Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
- FEMA Emergency Management Institute (EMI)
- CRS Webinars (CRSresources.org)
- Flood Protection Pay-Offs: A Local Government Guide to the CRS (Wetlands Watch)
- Community Incentives for Nature-Based Flood Solutions (The Nature Conservancy)
- Pennsylvania Association of State Floodplain Managers (PAFPM)
- Community Assistance Visit (CAV) Guidance (FEMA)
- Developing a Municipal Outreach Campaign for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
- Developing a Community Engagement Program for Flood Resiliency (WRC)
Funding Resources
- Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) (FEMA)
- Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) (FEMA)
- Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program (PDM) (FEMA)
- Flood Mitigation Program (DCED)
- H2O PA Flood Control Grants (DCED)
- Liquid Fuels Tax (PennDOT)
- Community Development Block Grants (DCED)
- SBA Disaster Assistance (SBA)
- USDA Rural Development Grants (USDA)
- USDA Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Floodplain Easement Program (USDA)
Resources for Residents
- Homeowner’s Guide to Flooding (Chesapeake Bay Foundation)
- Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting (FEMA)
- Protect Your Home from Flooding (FEMA)
- Ready.gov
- “Turn Around Don’t Drown” information and resources (Weather.gov)
- How Do I Buy Flood Insurance? (FEMA)
Training and Educational Resources
- Certified Floodplain Manager Training (ASFPM)
- Floodplain Management Training (PA Municipal League)
- FEMA Region III Documents (FEMA)
- Emergency Management Institute (EMI) – FEMA training center in MD
- Past Workshop Materials (SPC)
- Ready Kids! (Ready.gov)
- FloodSmart for NFIP Insurance Agents
- Insurance Agent Training (FEMA)
Key Organizations
- Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA)
- Pennsylvania Association of Floodplain Managers (PAFPM)
- PA Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
- Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
- NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent Regional Offices
- PA Insurance Commission