Discussion Blog #3: Flooding Risk
This activity aims to make you aware of the potential risk of storm surge, tidal, and floodplain flooding in your area. If you live out of the United States, write a 100-word essay about the flooding and risk in your city and country, specifying the flooding risk of your house according to local flood risk maps.
Background Information
Video: What is a Storm Surge (Met Office)Links to an external site.
Web page: National Flood Insurance ProgramLinks to an external site.
Video: The Rising Toll of Floods (PBS, Terra)Links to an external site.
No unread replies.No replies. Climate Change and its effects1) Think about 3 cities or geographical areas where you would like to live/invest in the future. How can current and future climate change potentially affect (both positively and negatively) such locations? which problems should city planners and government official address in order to mitigate or adapt to the “new normal”?
No unread replies.No replies.
Part 1, Coastal flooding from storm surge and high tide (complete this part if you live in a coastal location)
Storm surge is often the greatest threat to life and property and directly accounts for about half of the deaths associated with tropical cyclones in the United States. Storm Surge Planning Zones are based on hurricane storm surge determined by the National Hurricane Center using ground elevation and the area’s vulnerability to water from lakes/oceans being pushed overland by a hurricane. Find on the link below more information on how Potential Storm Surge Flooding Maps are built and how to interpret them:
Potential Storm Surge Flooding Maps – NOAALinks to an external site.
1a) In Miami-Dade County, a Storm Surge Planning Zone is an area that could potentially be impacted by a storm surge of 1.5 ft or higher. The storm surge planning zones are marked from A through E. Determine the Storm Surge Zone where your house is located. What does it mean to live in that zone? Consult the Storm Surge Planning Zones map below:
Storm Surge Planning Zones – Miami Dade Government
If you live in a coastal area other than Miami, you can use the tool below by NOAA. Launch the tool and select the layer called “Storm Surge”:
Flood Exposure Visualization Tool -NOAALinks to an external site.
1b) Is your house located in an area prone to tidal flooding? Launch the tool below and select the layer “High Tide Flooding.” What is the effect of tides on storm surges?
Flood Exposure Visualization Tool – NOAALinks to an external site.
1c) How does the information above your storm surge risk affect the price of your flood insurance? Use the information below, and explain:
Web Page: Storm Surge Planning Zones (Miami-Dade County Government)
Document: Storm Surge Planning Zones (Miami-Dade County Government)
Part 2, Flood risk on flood plains (complete this part if you live in coastal or inland areas)
Flood zones are areas mapped by FEMA for use in the National Flood Insurance zone designation, represented by a letter or letters telling homeowners precisely what the risk is for flooding at their property over a period of years, regardless of the cause.
2a) Consult the FEMA’s Flood zones map (link below) and determine the flooding zone and risk for flooding at your house/apartment. What does it mean to live in that flooding zone?
Information for the Miami area:
Flood Zone Maps – General Information (Miami-Dade Government)Links to an external site.
Flood Zone Map Viewer, Miami-DadeLinks to an external site.
Information for other areas of the United States:
https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?AddressQuery=miami#searchresultsanchorLinks to an external site.
If you live in a coastal area of the United States, you can use the tool below by NOAA. Launch the tool and select the layer called “FEMA Flood Zones”:
Flood Exposure Visualization Tool -NOAALinks to an external site. (Links to an external site.)
2b) Would you skip buying flood insurance? Why?
2c) Compare and comment on your results with those of one (1) of your classmates. I want to see your critical thinking.
