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Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Management Experience Floodplain Management Experience Slide 2 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Meet Mitch McDonald Meet Mitch McDonaldBackground: FEMA Floodplain Management Specialist Urban Planner Engineering Technician Land Surveyor, Military Surveyor Certified Floodplain Manager Responsibilities Include: NFIP Compliance Construction Code Compliance Local Flood Zone Compliance Coastal Construction Permitting Slide 3 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Subject for todays presentation: Subject for todays presentation: Post-disaster Mitigation in Terrebonne Parish: Post-disaster Mitigation in Terrebonne Parish: Issues of parish geography Long-term major flooding history Lessons learned over time Evolving floodplain management processes Accessing externally compiled lists & data sources Developing a floodplain structure inventory Future planned process development Time for questions Slide 4 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Geography of Terrebonne Parish: Geography of Terrebonne Parish: Maximum height above sea level is 13 feet Almost at Northern Parish Boundary Parish Area is 2,100 square miles New D-FIRM Map places 98% in floodplain 5 long fingers of ridge line reaching inland Bayou separation with low lying wetlands Bayous connected by intra coastal waterway 7 sizeable communities south of the ICW Houma Navigational Canal (Our MRGO) Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Slide 11 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Background: Background: Terrebonne Parish Major Impact: 1965 Hurricane Betsy 1985 Hurricane Juan 1992 Hurricane Andrew 2002 Hurricane Lili 2005 Hurricane Katrina & Rita 2008 Hurricane Gustav & Ike 2011 ? ? ? ? ? ? Slide 12 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1965 Hurricane Betsy: 1965 Hurricane Betsy: First major storm in Parish staff memory Little prior knowledge or data No planned response process No floodplain management structure No floodplain insurance program No awareness of potential for mitigation Complex multi-layered local government Slide 13 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1965 Hurricane Betsy: 1965 Hurricane Betsy: Lessons (not) Learned Lessons (not) Learned Viewed as a once in a lifetime event Modern slab on grade building permitted No mitigation program considered No significant data collection/analysis In essence, a return to business as usual In essence, a return to business as usual Slide 14 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1965 Hurricane Betsy: 1965 Hurricane Betsy: Lessons Learned Lessons Learned 1970 Insurance: 1970 Insurance: Community benefit of NFIP adoption was recognized and acted upon. was recognized and acted upon. Building restrictions implemented, BUT Planning variances were issued freely Planning variances were issued freely Slide 15 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1974 Hurricane Carmen: 1974 Hurricane Carmen: Minor impact on Terrebonne Lessons (still not) Learned Lessons (still not) Learned Still little organized prior data available Still no planned response process Still no floodplain management structure Still complex & conflicting local government Still no focus on mitigation Slide 16 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1974 Hurricane Carmen: 1974 Hurricane Carmen: Lessons Learned: Lessons Learned: 1984 Structure of Government: 1984 Structure of Government: Transition from the complex multi-layer, small unit system of local government to a new system of consolidated governance, providing economies of scale and facilitating co-ordinated planning over larger areas Slide 17 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1985 Hurricane Juan: 1985 Hurricane Juan: Situation contained increased risk: Situation contained increased risk: Erosion & settlement of barrier islands Land mass settlement expanded floodplain Offshore Storm, bringing heavy rain Offshore Storm, bringing heavy rain Water pushed on-shore and inland Water pushed on-shore and inland Over 800 residential structures flooded Significantly expanded flood area Significantly expanded flood area Slide 18 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1985 Hurricane Juan: Post event experience: First notable population drift northwards Surge in expressed community concern Increased public awareness of issues Dawning recognition of the value of NFIP Flood Variance Board Disbanded Slide 19 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 1992 Hurricane Andrew: Main impact was from N.E. quadrant Main impact was from N.E. quadrant Piled water into New Orleans Piled water into New Orleans Terrebonne mainly saw wind damage Terrebonne mainly saw wind damage Very little local flooding Very little local flooding Slide 20 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post event experience Recognition of a Lucky Near Miss Recognition of a Lucky Near Miss However: However: Low level flood impact caused complacency Low level flood impact caused complacency Reinforced once in a lifetime mentality Reinforced once in a lifetime mentality Nationally, the widespread and catastrophic Nationally, the widespread and catastrophic impact of Andrew caused a major hike in impact of Andrew caused a major hike in the level of Federal awareness and concern the level of Federal awareness and concern Slide 21 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: National recognition of and attention to the importance of mitigation Local communities really start to understand the value of NFIP coverage and the planning requirements on which coverage is dependent 1997 ICC coverage started Slide 22 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 2002 Hurricane Lili: Major flooding event for the Parish (1,000 + Structures) 280 ICC letters issued 280 ICC letters issued 149 Mitigation completion certificates First key learning engagement with FEMA Exploration of elevation programs Broad elevation needs plan evolved Slide 23 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post Event Experience: Communities started to realize what could be done under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Individuals saw benefits and assistance gained by neighbors and friends Start of local interest in mitigation options Slide 24 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: Lessons Learned: First Hazard Mitigation program developed First Hazard Mitigation program developed 2005 Parish sets cumulative substantial 2005 Parish sets cumulative substantial improvement (CSI) policy: improvement (CSI) policy: Flood damage validated from prior NFIP list Validate structure value from Tax Assessment Track improvements through Permit Database Slide 25 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 2005 Hurricanes Katrina & Rita: Katrina pushed water outwards, but Rita brought major flooding Over 4000 flooded structures 2500+ NFIP claims paid in Terrebonne 700+ Substantial damage letters issued 700+ Substantial damage letters issued 470+ Completion of Mitigation Certificates 470+ Completion of Mitigation Certificates Slide 26 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post event experience: High expectations from post Lili experience Significant demand for HMGP assistance System overwhelmed by demand 4,700 claims through NFIP and Road Home Claims paid made without permit application Complications from post-fact permitting Slide 27 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post event experience: Passive response rather than proactive No seeking out repairs needing permits Left residents to apply for permits Little publicity about need for permits Mailed to RSDE list (50% undeliverable) % damage assessed from RSDE Slide 28 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: Lessons Learned: 2006 Parish expands (CSI) policy: 2006 Parish expands (CSI) policy: Flood damage validated from prior NFIP list Validate structure value from Tax Assessment Track improvements through Permit Database Validate damage from RSDE lists Required cost validation by contractor estimate Document events in the Permit Database Slide 29 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: Community Assistance Contact sample stimulated further compliance effort stimulated further compliance effort 2007 Started tracking cumulative damage Inspection / Re-inspection: 2,500 structures on NFIP claims list 1,100 structures on Road Home list 760 structures on Repetitive Loss list 760 structures on Repetitive Loss list (Now 1,900+) (Now 1,900+) Slide 30 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: Start to actively engage community Verified permit status of each listed structure Wrote to owners of non-compliant structures Mailed 780 letters from PSDL list Responses help assess potential ICC claims Gustav and Ike overtook these processes Slide 31 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 2008 Hurricanes Gustav & Ike: Gustav wind event with only moderate coastal flooding (235 Structures) coastal flooding (235 Structures) Ike - brought major flooding (3,000+ Structures) 300+ Substantial damage letters issued 300+ Substantial damage letters issued 200+ Mitigation Completion Certificates 200+ Mitigation Completion Certificates Over 450 structures mitigated before Ike (None flooded during Ike) (None flooded during Ike) Slide 32 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post event experience: Post event experience: Started SFHA flooded structure inventory Started SFHA flooded structure inventory 2200 Letters to NFIP Policy Holders 2200 Letters to NFIP Policy Holders (Identified through permit tracking ) (Identified through permit tracking ) 264 Increased Cost of Compliance list 264 Increased Cost of Compliance list 333 HMGP + ICC list 728 Possible Substantial Damage List 111 Cumulative Damage list Slide 33 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post event experience: Community now highly sensitized to FEMA Community now highly sensitized to FEMA program benefits. program benefits. Claims made under multiple programs and Claims made under multiple programs and from multiple sources NFIP:SBA:ICC:Banks etc. from multiple sources NFIP:SBA:ICC:Banks etc. Some applicants self mitigating Some applicants self mitigating Options to pool money from other sources Options to pool money from other sources Waiting for HMPG is not an option Waiting for HMPG is not an option Slide 34 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Lessons Learned: Community benefit of proactive approach Community benefit of proactive approach Use outside data sources for outreach Use outside data sources for outreach Need for a floodplain structure inventory Need for a floodplain structure inventory ISSUE: ISSUE: Not achievable within normal resource limits Not achievable within normal resource limits Slide 35 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government 2009 The Delicate Balance: Thursday 27 March 2009 The current precarious balance in our Parish floodplain was heavily underlined during a single night of heavy rain which left almost 400 residential structures flooded some of them to depths of up to 3.5 feet. This almost equaled one half of the flooding sustained during Hurricane Juan in 1985 ! Slide 36 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Accumulated Impact Experience: 9 Hurricanes in 44 years Recently, 5 Hurricanes in 7 seasons 1965 Hurricane Betsy 1974 Hurricane Carmen 1985 Hurricane Juan 1992 Hurricane Andrew 2002 Hurricane Lili 2005 Hurricane Katrina & Rita 2008 Hurricane Gustav & Ike 2011 ? ? ? ? ? ? Slide 37 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post Ike Floodplain Structure Inventory: 10,491 Residential Structures in Floodplain 605 Flooded and Destroyed 605 Flooded and Destroyed 208 Flooded and Abandoned 208 Flooded and Abandoned 2,022 Flooded and Repairable 2,245 Post FIRM structures No Water 2,245 Post FIRM structures No Water 3,929 Partly elevated structures No Water 3,929 Partly elevated structures No Water (500+ on 3ft/4ft piers after Rita) (500+ on 3ft/4ft piers after Rita) 1,482 Slab on grade No Water 1,482 Slab on grade No Water Slide 38 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post Ike Floodplain Mitigation: From SFHA Structure Inventory Project: 605 Flooded and Destroyed 208 Flooded and Abandoned 813 Declared Substantially damaged Only 35 carried flood insurance ! Only 35 carried flood insurance ! 400+ Demolition Permits (350+ Completed) 400+ Demolition Permits (350+ Completed) 260+ PA Demolitions ( 71 Completed) 260+ PA Demolitions ( 71 Completed) 153 Pending Completion 153 Pending Completion Slide 39 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Post Ike Floodplain Mitigation: From Ike SDLs Issued 312 ICC Mitigation Permits 312 ICC Mitigation Permits 182 Completed Elevation 182 Completed Elevation 14 Completed Demolition 14 Completed Demolition 116 Still to be completed 116 Still to be completed Slide 40 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Database : Floodplain Database : For all 10,491 structures in the highest risk areas: For all 10,491 structures in the highest risk areas: Physical Address and GPS location Elevation (on grade, block, full or old elevation) In-structure water level from Hurricane Ike Inventory of destroyed & uninhabited structures Inventory of anticipated permit applications FEMA quick claim list cross reference Slide 41 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Database: Collecting the data took commitment: Our staff provided local knowledge Our Parish provided local resources Building inspections generated some data Parish management supported the initiative Institute for Building Technology & Safety (IBTS) mangaged the project as a (IBTS) mangaged the project as a sidebar to inspection activity. sidebar to inspection activity. Slide 42 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Database: The SFHA Structure Inventory has also generated the data required to: Develop cost benefit analysis to justify 3 levee improvement projects under CDBG;Develop cost benefit analysis to justify 3 levee improvement projects under CDBG; Meet data analysis needs for community planning activities;Meet data analysis needs for community planning activities; Provide HMGP qualification evidenceProvide HMGP qualification evidence Support FEMA individual assistance claim assessments;Support FEMA individual assistance claim assessments; Slide 43 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Database: The data represents a valuable tool which serves immediate planning needs. The Parish understands that it is a work in progress which will take effort to maintain, expand and improve. The Parish has made application for FEMA funding to maintain/expand the inventory and improve its database. Slide 44 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Database: Floodplain Database: Next Steps: Next Steps: Cross reference with prior damage lists Cross reference with other agency claims Target structure elevation needs advice Target building permit requirement notices Target building code enforcement activity Demonstrate structure demolition needs Update through link to building inspections Expand the at-risk area covered Slide 45 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Overall Lessons Learned: Overall Lessons Learned: Communities still need their options explained Aggressive proactive approach pays dividends Community awareness aids administration Documentation advances learning processes The value of a floodplain structure inventory Integrate data from many external sources Experienced external support is available Ideas and developments need to be shared The process is evolutionary & ongoing Slide 46 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Why is it..... that common sense always seems to be the least common of all the senses ? Slide 47 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed gone bad VARIANCE n. (vair-ee-unce) Technical term: used in floodplain management to describe a situation where some well- meaning person with authority has allowed a structure to be built without it having to comply with normally required, sensible and proven safeguards; usually resulting in higher levels of danger and long term cost for the owner, occupier, general public and taxpayer. Slide 48 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed A good deed 1980 slab on grade by variance 1980 slab on grade by variance Slide 49 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? 1985 Benefit of variance ? 1985 Benefit of variance ? Slide 50 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? 2002 Benefit of variance ? 2002 Benefit of variance ? Slide 51 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? 2005 Benefit of variance ? 2005 Benefit of variance ? Slide 52 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? 2008 Benefit of variance ? 2008 Benefit of variance ? Slide 53 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? Now the costs really start ! Now the costs really start ! Slide 54 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? And then the costs rise ! And then the costs rise ! Slide 55 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government A good deed ? A good deed ? And they rise ! And they rise ! Slide 56 A good deed ? A good deed ? And they continue to rise ! And they continue to rise ! Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Slide 57 VARIANCE n. (vair-ee-unce) VARIANCE n. (vair-ee-unce) A real good way to mess up the life of A real good way to mess up the life of someone you dont like ! someone you dont like ! Slide 58 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Thank You for this opportunity to share our experience Slide 59 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government ANY QUESTIONS ? Slide 60 Terrebonne Parish Consolidated Government Floodplain Management Experience Floodplain Management Experience