Answer: Most currently available flood maps are used to assist planners in identifying and preparing for flooding scenarios. These maps portray statistics based on long-term historical records to estimate and forecast an approaching weather system. For more information on the techniques of flood statistics reports see: http://pubs.usgs.gov/twri/.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Weather Service (NWS) have developed a way to bring flood forecasting and flood mapping together, using available technologies, to produce maps which can be served on the Internet in time to allow communities to prepare for potential flooding. More information on this project can be obtained by downloading the USGS fact sheet at: http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/fs2004-3060/; or checking out the informational page at: http://wa.water.usgs.gov/projects/pugethazards/urbanhaz/MappingNWS.htm. For a demonstration of the system go to: http://wa.water.usgs.gov/cgi/flood_snoqualmie.cgi.
WaterWatch, the USGS information on current water resources conditions, is found at: http://water.usgs.gov/waterwatch/.
FEMA Flood Maps are available free at: http://msc.fema.gov. These maps are often used in regard to property damage and for local planners defining escape routes.
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U.S. Department of the Interior |
U.S. Geological Survey