The graphic depiction of flood hazard areas has been an important component of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) since the 1973 Flood Disaster Protection Act. From early approximations of hazards and risks to more detailed studies, along with improvement of mapping techniques, the mapping aspect of the NFIP has played an important role in appropriate land use and flood insurance coverage.
When we understand how early mapping was compiled, we better understand our current roles and responsibilities in updating, correcting, and expanding that early attempt to depict the risks and hazards of flooding throughout the U.S. This session explores the components of a Flood Insurance Rate Map, the various uses of those maps, and the effects of the digital age on reliability of map data.
Upon completion of this course, the participant should expect to be able to:
• Identify the multiple uses and applications of Flood Insurance Rate Maps
• Distinguish between the different digital formats of flood mapping products
• Understand the effects of NFIP regulations on floodplain mapping
