Nonstructural Flood Proofing measures are permanent or contingent measures applied to a structure and/or its contents that prevent or provide resistance to damage from flooding. Nonstructural Flood Proofing measures differ from Structural measures in that they focus on reducing the consequences of flooding instead of focusing on reducing the probability of flooding.
Nonstructural Flood Proofing measures include:
- Elevation
- Relocation
- Buyout / Acquisition
- Dry flood proofing
- Wet flood proofing
Nonphysical Nonstructural measures include:
- Flood Warning Systems
- Flood Insurance
- Floodplain Mapping
- Flood Emergency Preparedness Plans
- Land Use Regulation
- Zoning
- Evacuation Plans
- Risk Communication
The National Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee was founded in 1985 to promote the use of nonstructural flood proofing methods.
Collapse All Expand All
During the early 1970's, the Flood Plain Management Services (FPMS) Program, under it's Guides, Pamphlets, and Supporting Studies element, was pursuing several flood proofing initiatives. Larry Flanagan, Chief FPMS in LMVD, was involved in residential flood proofing systems and in testing flood proofing materials at the Waterways Experiment Station (WES); Sam Cowan, Chief FPMS at SAD, was involved in developing a flood proofing primer and in documenting the elevating of a residence located along Peachtree Creek in Atlanta, GA; Herm Lardieri, Chief FPMS in Pittsburgh District, was involved in developing standards of flood proofing in buildings and related codes and in drafting EP 1165-2-314 Flood-Proofing Regulations; and Bob Hall, Chief FPMS in Los Angeles District, was seeking flood proofing techniques that would prevent sheet-flow flooding of structures in California. As flood proofing activities continued to increase, it became evident that some means of coordination was needed.
An Ad-hoc Committee on Residential Flood Proofing was formed in May of 1978. It was chaired by Larry Flanagan with Sam Cowan, Herm Lardieri, and Bob Hall as members and Bob Plott as OCE Coordinator. It was dedicated to residential flood proofing and its activities were loosely coordinated. Much of its work and its accomplishments involved completing the work initiated by its individual members and avoiding overlap. The ad-hoc committee met twice, once in 1978 and once in 1979. In 1980, Bob Hall left the FPMS Program and the committee. In 1984, Larry Flanagan left the committee and Dr. Carl Pace was brought on board as a technical advisor for the work he and Larry were doing on testing flood proofing materials at WES. The committee's last effort was to acquire the materials that were used by headquarters to publish Flood Proofing Systems & Techniques - Examples of flood proofed structures in the United States.
It became evident that a means of coordinating and providing direction to future flood proofing activities under the FPMS Program was necessary. Hence, charter members were appointed on 20 September 1985 and on 8-9 October 1985 the initial meeting of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Flood Proofing Committee (NFPC) was held at SAD to finalize a Committee charter and to elect Committee officers.
The NFPC charter was ratified at headquarters by the Chief, Flood Plain Management Services and Coastal Resources Branch and signed by the Chief, Planning Division, Directorate of Civil Works, Office of the Chief of Engineers on 12 December 1985. It subsequently was revised in 1990, 1994, and 2006 primarily to increase the number of its members from the initial five to seven and then to nine. Currently, there are seven members.
The National Nonstructural Flood Proofing Committee is celebrating 30 years of service to the nation in flood risk management.
The NFPC functions under the general direction of the Chief, Planning Community of Practice, Directorate of Civil Works, HQUSACE. The objectives of the NFPC are to:
- Promote the development and use of all nonstructural flood risk reduction measures
- Risk expertise on all aspects of nonstructural flood risk reduction and associated opportunities
- Disseminate nonstructural flood reduction information
- Partner with Planning Centers of Expertise in all aspects of nonstructural flood risk reduction and associated opportunities
- Provide leadership in all aspects of floodplain management
NFPC Charter: The current NFPC Charter can be downloaded HERE.
Randall Behm, P.E., GS-13 - U.S. Army Engineer District, Omaha
Chief, Flood Risk and Floodplain Management Services Section, District Flood Risk Manager
- Education: BS degree in Civil Engineering-University of Nebraska
- Professional Registrations: Professional Engineer, Certified Floodplain Manager
- 30 years of Experience in:
- Floodplain Management
- Hydraulic Engineering
- Plan Formulation
- Project Management
- Cultural Resources
- Program Managemen
- Engineering Surveys
- Nonstructural Flood Damage Reduction
Kim M. Gavigan, P.E., GS-13 - U.S. Army Engineer District, Los Angeles / Phoenix
Chief, Water Resources Planning Section C, Flood Risk Program Manager
- Education: BS degree in Civil Engineering Technology-Northern Arizona University
- Professional Registrations: Professional Engineer, Certified Floodplain Manager
- 25 years of Experience in:
- Flood Plain Management / Flood Risk Management
- Hydrology & Hydraulics
- Plan Formulation
- Project Management
- Ecosystem Restoration Planning
- Watershed Management Planning
- Program Management
- Nonstructural Flood Damage Reduction
- National Flood Insurance Program
- Stormwater Management
Stuart Davis, GS-13 - Institute for Water Resources
Community Planner/Economist
- Education: BA degree in Economics- University of Illinois
MA degree in Urban Affairs-St Louis University
MA degree in Economics-University of Colorado
- Professional Registration: Certified Planner-American Institute of Certified Planners
- 41 years of Experience in:
- Economics
- Study Management
- Public Involvement
- Principal investigator with IWR
- Plan Formulation
- Statistical Analysis
- NED Analysis
Stephen D. O’Leary, R.A., GS-13 - U.S. Army Engineer District, Huntington
Architect/Planner/Project Manager
- Education: Bachelor of Architecture-University of Kentucky
- Professional Registrations: Professional Architect, Certified Floodplain Manager
- 32 years of Experience in:
- Architectural Design and Construction
- Mitigation of Flood Prone Structures/Floodproofing
- Nonstructural Flood Risk Management
- Floodplain Management
- Plan Formulation
- Program/Project Management
Keven Lovetro, CFM, Member; GS-13 U.S. Army Engineer District, New Orleans
Supervisory, Regional Economist, Flood Risk Management Section - Economics Branch
- Education: BA degree in Political Science - University of New Orleans
MA degree in International Affairs - George Washington University
MA degree in Economics and Finance - University of New Orleans
- Professional Registration: Certified Floodplain Manager
- 30 years of Experience in:
- Economics
- Financial Analysis
- NED analysis
- Civil Works Planning
- Nonstructural Flood Risk Management
- Social Impact Analysis
- Plan Formulation
- Navigation
Nonstructural Flood Risk Management
Nonstructural flood risk management measures are proven methods and techniques for reducing flood risk and flood damages by adapting to the natural characteristics of flooding within the floodplain. In addition to being very effective for both short and long term flood risk and flood damage reduction, nonstructural measures can be very cost effective when compared to other flood risk management techniques.
Risk = f [(Probability of Flooding) x (Consequences)]
Probability of Flooding is the frequency of flooding or how often does flooding occur in a particular location.
Consequences are the potential life loss or damages associated with flooding. Structures (residential, commercial, critical, public, and industrial), land use (agricultural, urban, public), and infrastructure (highways, roads, rail, utilities) are the potentially damageable assets. Reduce the consequences of flooding and risk is reduced. Nonstructural measures are invaluable wherein the goal is to reduce flood damages without modifying the characteristics of the flood event.
Nonstructural flood risk management can be categorized as a set of physical or nonphysical measures utilized for mitigating loss of life as well as existing and future flood damages. The physical measures determined to be most commonly implemented are those which adapt to the natural characteristics of the floodplain without adversely affecting or changing those natural flood characteristics. Because of their adaptive characteristics to flood risk, wherein these measures support the National Flood Insurance Program as administered by FEMA and generally cause no adverse affects to the floodplain, flood stages, velocities, or the environment, these measures may also be referred to as Flood Risk Adaptive Measures (FRAM) and can be incorporated into existing or new structures to mitigate for potential future flood damages.
The following initial assessment tool provides a quick reference for comparing the applicability of different flood damage reduction measures including Structural and Nonstructural Measures.
|
The following websites contain information related to nonstructural measures to reduce flood damages and promote floodplain management techniques.
-
...
Association of State Floodplain Managers is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning and recovery.
-
...
FEMA is the US government agency tasked with administering the NFIP Program, disaster mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery planning.
-
...
The National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Agencies
-
...
University of Colorado of Boulder works to strengthen communication between the hazards academic and applications communities and to improve the implementation of hazard mitigation and response programs. The Center's publications program involves editing and distribution of many types of publications, including documents on the subject of flood proofing.
-
...
USACE established the National Flood Risk Management Program in May 2006 for the purpose of integrating and synchronizing USACE flood risk management programs and activities.
-
...
The Silver Jackets is an innovative program that provides an opportunity to consistently bring together multiple state, federal, and sometimes tribal and local agencies to learn from one another and apply their knowledge to reduce risk. State agencies, including those of the State Hazard Mitigation Officer and State NFIP Coordinator, come together with the Federal family of agencies, including USACE and FEMA, in a common forum to address the state's flood risk management priorities.
The different Nonstructural Measures are described provided below. A detailed discussion on each of these types of Nonstructural Measures can be found among our Publications.
Collapse All Expand All
Elevation involves raising the buildings in place so that the structure sees a reduction in frequency and/or depth of flooding during high-water events. Elevation can be done on fill, foundation walls, piers, piles, posts or columns. Selection of proper elevation method depends on flood characteristics such as flood depth or velocity.
Relocation involves moving the structure to another location away from flood hazards. Relocation is the most dependable method of protection and provides the benefit of use of the evacuated floodplain.
Buyout/Acquisition involves purchase and elimination of flood damageable structures, allowing for inhabitants to relocate to locations away from flood hazards.
Dry Flood Proofing involves sealing building walls with waterproofing compounds, impermeable sheeting, or other materials to prevent the entry of floodwaters into damageable structures. Dry flood proofing is applicable in areas of shallow, low velocity flooding.
Wet Flood Proofing measures allows floodwater to enter the structure, vulnerable items such as utilities appliances and furnaces are relocated or waterproofed to higher locations. By allowing floodwater to enter the structure hydrostatic forces on the inside and outside of the structure can be equalized reducing the risk of structural damage.
Flood Warning Systems alert inhabitants in flood prone areas of impending high water. Depending on the type of warning system and advance time inhabitants have the opportunity to evacuate damageable property and themselves from the flood prone area.
Flood Insurance provides insurance to assist in recovery from a flood event
Floodplain Mapping is a nonphysical nonstructural measure identifies flood risk, whether in the form of a map which portrays flood boundaries, or as an inundation map illustrating the depth of flooding, this measure is a significant tool when addressing flood risk.
Flood Emergency Preparedness Plans Local officials are encouraged to develop and maintain a flood emergency preparedness plan (FEPP) that identifies hazards, risks and vulnerabilities, and encourages the development of local mitigation. The FEPP should include the community’s response to flooding, location of evacuation centers, evacuation routes, and flood recovery processes.
Land Use Regulations are effective tools in reducing flood risk and flood damage. The principles of these tools are based in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which requires minimum standards of floodplain regulation.
Zoning is also beneficial in reducing flood risk. A community may determine that certain areas are too hazardous for human habitation and restrict development from occurring. Other areas may be determined to be risk free. This is a long-term investment tool for alleviating flood risk.
Evacuation Plans require detailed hydrologic analyses for determining the rate of rise of floodwaters for various rainfall or snowmelt events. When used in conjunction with flood warning systems, this measure can provide significant loss of life avoidance and flood damage reduction benefits. Evacuation planning should consider vertical evacuation as well as the traditional horizontal evacuation. This measures should only be implemented when there is signification response and action time available for floodplain occupants to evacuate. Rally points as well as evacuation routes should be thoughtfully planned and communicated to the public.
Risk Communication develops and uses educational tools such as presentations, workshops, hand-outs, and pamphlets to communicated flood risk and flood risk reduction measures to government entities and floodplain occupants in an effort to reduce the consequences associated with flooding.
-
...
Executive Order 11988: Flood plain management decision making process
-
-
...
Continuing Authorities Program (CAP) is a collection of authorities established to allow expedited project development and approval for smaller, less complex projects.
-
...
Section 206: Flood Plain Management Services Program - Section 206 of the Flood Control Act of 1960, as amended
-
...
GI studies are the most common way USACE can assist communitites with complex water resource problems. GI studies are typically large scale projects exceeding the $15 million limit for CAP projects.
-
...
Section 22 Planning Assistance to States and Tribes under Section 22 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1974, as amended
Attention: Randall Behm, Chair
USACE, Omaha District
Engineering Division
Hydrologic Engineering
1616 Capitol Ave: STE 9000
Omaha, NE 68102-4901
402-995-2322
email: dll-cenwo-nfpc@usace.army.mil
|