Inter-American Disaster Mitigation Network - December 3, 2006

The Municipal Flood Alert and Warning Program (PROMSAT) in

the Aguan River Valley, Honduras:A Model for Vulnerability

Reduction and Risk ManagementBruce P. Baird

Research & Outreach CoordinatorU.S. Association of State Floodplain Managers

www.floods.org

ASFPM at a glance

• National NGO, membership of 9,000 flood engineers, scientists, consultants and regulation officials• Education and policy develop-ment in U.S. floodplain mapping, beneficial uses, and hazard reduction• International Committee

Invited involvement, post-Hurricane Mitch recovery (OAS/PADF/Peace Corps-Crisis Corps)

1. Vulnerability analysis and hazard mitigation measures

2. Flood alert system design andinstallation

3. Community training

Honduras: Pop. 6M, land area=TennesseeGNP US$5 billion, 298 municipios, exporteconomy (agriculture, maquiladoras)

Setting for DisasterHydrometeorologic conditionsUrbanization since last major disaster (1974)Patchwork flood control – land tenure

Hurricane Mitch in HondurasCoastal and inland damages, $4 billionTransportation system crippled, all bridges damaged or destroyedUp to 7,000 killed 11,000 missingOne-third of population suffered losses

Pre-Mitch Community Flood Hazard Reduction Efforts

Organization of American States-European Community Humanitarian Organization (OAS-ECHO) initiatives 1995-97, Honduras North Coast:

- Small streams focus- Watershed-based- North Coast Pilot Program

and training

Aguan River Valley, post-Mitch

Eight communities selected to participate200,000 urban population, 300 killed3,500 homes destroyed; 20,000 people

evacuated(Map)

Hazard Analysis and Mapping

Community risk map for Armenia, Olanchito

Community Meetings: Local and Municipal Emergency Committees

Local Committee and Orientation, Armenia-Olanchito

Rain Gauges- 6” capacity - Installed near

CB radio stations- Read hourly during

rain storms

River Gauges- Hand-painted onto

bridges during dryseason

- Viewed from shoreby local Committeemember

- Data furnished toradio operator

Communication of Gauge Readings

Rain gauge recorders and CB radio operator, Coyoles-Sonaguera

Municipal Warning

CB radio antenna City Hall, Sonaguera

Public Alert, Evacuation and Care

Public warning siren and mass care exercise

SUCCESSES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

- PROMSAT warning system proved effective

- Information reached those who needed it,with appropriate actions planned

- Collaboration, networking and mentoring

- Local emergency committee formation

CODELSub-Coordinator

Education Committee

Security

Evacuation andRescue Committee

Logistics andVolunteers

Health Committee

CODELCoordinator

FUTURE NEEDS

- National-local linkages could be strengthened

- Planning basis is the last big disaster; howto plan for a “scenario” storm

- Changing personnel and maintainingthe organization

- Project was regional in scope but notstructure – watershed planning basis