More Information Flowing on Freshwater Floods caused by Hurricanes
More than half the deaths associated with hurricanes in the last 30 years
can be tied to inland flooding. One of the NWS major outreach campaigns
is designed to raise the awareness of this danger. To promote this campaign,
the Hydrologic Services Division (HSD) is engaging partners and customers
in a variety of activities.
The HSD is working with Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA) and the Tropical
Prediction Center (TPC) to integrate a hydrologic presence into the
Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT). The HLT, activated at the request of the
Director of the TPC, provides critical information to federal, state,
and local response agencies. Beginning this tropical season, the potential
for freshwater flooding will be assessed and coordinated more completely
along with the hazards of high winds, waves, and storm surge.
The North Carolina Flood Mapping
Project was created in response to disastrous floods caused by Hurricane
Floyd. Damage from Hurricane Floyd was estimated at $3.5 billion. Hurricane
Floyd destroyed 4,117 uninsured and underinsured homes. The states
vulnerability to hurricanes and flooding make it crucial that communities
and property owners have accurate, up-to-date information about the flood
risk. The updated flood insurance rate maps produced through this project
will help identify areas vulnerable to flooding. NWS Hydrologic Services
is working with the state of North Carolina to make improvements to the
flood forecasting program including graphical river forecasts and real-time
inundation mapping. These enhancements will give more detailed flood information
for a greater part of the threatened river basins and thus provide advanced
notice of flood potential to more people. Local and state officials will
have more information to manage the risk of flooding more effectively
the next time a hurricane makes landfall.
Jeff Zimmerman, Hydrologic
Services Division, Support Branch Chief
Related Information: Hurricane
Awareness Week
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