High ground, Vol. 2, no. 2 (Spring 1997)

G-Ft N doO ,:S "'Pi H-S
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A PuBLICATION OF THE GEORGIA FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Severe Weather Awareness Week
On January 29, 1997, Governor Zell Miller signed a proclamation (see page 2) declaring February 24-28, 1997, "Severe Weather Awareness Week." Severe Weather AwarenessWeek will be an annual event designed to infonn citizens regarding safety, preparedness, and response procedures in the event of severe weather. Every year, duriitg the last week of February, there will be a statewide effort to disseminate infonnation on the hazards oflightning,tropicaI stonns and hurricanes, floods, thunderstonn winds, and tornadoes. This year, Severe Weather Awareness Week featured "Family Protection Day" on Monday, February 24 and a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday, February 26. It isa goal of the Georgia Floodplain Management Office to have a "Flood Awareness Day" included in the future.
According to the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, floods are considered the number one hazard in Georgia. Over the last 19 years, 57 Georgians have 10sttheir lives in floods and flash floods. Thirty-one ofthese deaths occurred during July 1994. Almost all of Georgia is susceptible to flooding, however flash flooding occurs mainly in the :North Georgia mountains andrapidly growing metropolitan areas ofthe state.
It is hopedthat through events such as "Severe Weather Awareness Week" Georgians will become more aware ofthe natural hazards.within their community and the precautionsthat can be taken to ensure safety and reduce property loss. Although the impacts of flooding and other severe weather hazards cannot be eliminated entirely, measures can be taken by local officials and by citizens to minimize the impacts.

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF GEORGIA

A PROCLAMATION

SEUERE WERTHER RWRRENESS WEEK

WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS: WHEREAS:
THEREFORE:

Georgians are faced each year with the threat. of severe weather events
such as snowstorms, ligbtuing, thunderstonns. floods andflash floods, bail storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes, all potentially dangerous to life, .health and .property; and

Urbanization and continued population growth have increased the potential for loss of life and property due to these powerful storms; and

During the past 19 years, at least 183 deaths have been caused in Georgia by heavy snowstorms and blizzards, lightning, floods, flash floods, tornadoes. thunderstorm winds and hurricanes; and

It is vital that effective public education programs concemingsevere

weather systems and preparedness procedures continue for the well-

being of all Georgians; and

.

The 'Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service. the Georgia Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Education, Human Resources, Natural Resources, Public Safety, and Transportation, the Georgia Forestry Commission, volunteer agencies and the news media are committed to continuing efforts to inform Georgia citizens on safety and severe weather preparedness procedures so they may better protect their families and other loved ones; now
I. Zell Miller, Governor of the staie of Georgia, do hereby proclaim the
week of. February 24 - 28. 1997, as "SEVERE WEATHER AWARENESS WEEK" in Georgia and urge all our citizens to join in this effort to become more aware of severe weather safety measures
and to participate in the various awareness programs scheduled during
the week, such as "Family Protection Day" on Monday, February 24, and the 'Statewide Tamado Drill" on Wednesday, February 26.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF. I ttave hereuntO set my hand and caused the
Seal of the Executive Department to be affixed. This 29th day of January 1997.

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Georgia's Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program
Mitigation is thecomerstone of emergency management. It's the ongoing effort to lessen the impact disasters have on people and property. Mitigation involves keeping homes away from floodplains, engineering bridges to withstand earthquakes, creating and enforcing effective building codes to protect property from hurricanes -- and more. Mitigation is defined as "sustained action that reduces or eliminates longterm risk to people and property from natural hazards and their effects."
The primary funding source for hazard mitigation activities at the state and local level is the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The HMGP provides for mitigation activities in Presidentially <leclared disaster areas. HMGP funds may be used to fund projects which will reduce or eliminate the losses from future disasters. Projects must provide a long term solution to a problem, for example, elevation of a home to reduce the risk of flood damages as opposed tobuying sandbags and pumps to fight the flood. In addition, a project's potential savings must be more than the cost of implementing the project. Funds may be used to

protect either public or private property or to purchase property which has been subjected to, or is in danger of, repetitive damage. Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:
Acquisition and relocation of structures from hazard-prone areas;
Strengthening structures against floods,high winds, wildfire, or other hazards to protect structures from future damage;
Elevating structures to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP);
Development of State or local standards to protect new and substantially improved structures from disaster damage.
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is employing a strategy for identifying worthy mitigation projects called the Georgia Mitigation Empowerment Initiative (GMEI). The objective of GMEI is to provide local governments with the tools to identify critical facilities that are either crucial to the operation of the jurisdiction or that are imminently threatened by disasters and then to relay that information to the state.
In order to accomplish these goals, powerful computers installed with Geographic Information System (GIS) software will be distributed to counties throughout the state. Besides the computer and GIS software, the state is also providing intensive training, necessary data layers for the respective county and for the state as . a whole, and a modem and connectivity software to communicate back to a central location accessible to the entire state.
Five counties are currently testing the software and configurations of these computers with 36 additional counties going on-line in April, 1997.
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It is planned that all of the counties in the state will be operational by the end of the year.
GMEI is an innovative and comprehensive approach to identifying mitigation opportunities within the communities of Georgia. GMEI provides the means for local governments to highlight and prioritize potential mitigation projects in their jurisdiction and to catalogue and transmit the information to the state. In the end, it is hoped that local governments realize that GEMA is committed to predisaster planning and mitigation and to helping build stronger andmore resilient communities.
Thanks to Terry Lunn, State Hazard Mitigation Officer at GEMA, for contributing this article.
The Community Assistance Visit (CAV)

The emphasis of the CAV is on resolving issues or problems identified by providing floodplain managementassistance; however,the subsequent findings and documentation of a CAY form the basis for taking an enforcement. action if deficiencies are notresolved and violations are not remedied to the maximum extent possible given practical and legal constraints. The CAV also provides an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the progranimatic and regulatory aspects of the NFIP.
The following purposes of the CAV are underscored:
* Establish or enhance working relationship
with NAP eOmmu:niti~sand create a greater .. awarenes~ oUhe NAP and its requirements. .
*Oatlierlnfomlation from variOl.lS ~ources such . . as observations Dfthe commUnity'sfloodplain,
floodplain permIt and variance files, and the
Biennial Report. ..

The Community Assistance Visit (CAV) is a scheduled visit by the Georgia Floodplain Management Office toa community participating in theNational Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The purpose of the CAV is to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the community's floodplain management program and its knowledge .and understanding of the floodplain management requirements of the NFIP. In addition, the CAV presents an opportunity for the . Georgia Floodplain Management Office to assist .the community in understanding the NFIP and its requirements and/or assist the community in implementing .effective flood loss reduction measures when program deficiencies or violations are discovered.
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correct ..violations;
loss :reductIOn me

Ideally, some type of contact should be made with all participating communities each fiscal year whereby community floodplainmanagement programs are assessed and floodplain management assistance services are provided. However, this task is virtually impossible given that there are more than 375 communities participating in the NFIP and the limited staff of Georgia's Floodplain Management Office. If at any time a community requires the assistance of the Georgia Floodplain Management Office, you may contact the Office by calling (404) 6566382.
Community assessment and floodplain management. assistance may take a variety of forms. In addition to CAVs, these activities may include consultation and coordination of new studies under the Limited Map Maintenance Project and restudies which require Time and Cost Meetings and Final Meetings for Flood Insurance Studies, providing assistance to communities in updating the community's floodplain management regulations, and other forms ofdirect, one-on-onecontacts with communities in order to provide .technical assistance.
Common Mistakes Regarding Elevation
Certificates
The Elevation Certificate is a document used to record the reference level ofthe .lowest floor for all structures built in Special Flood Hazard Areas. For the participating community, obtaining this document, and maintaining a copy in the community's records, is vital for compliance with minimum federal requirements under the

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). .For the property owner, proper completion of the certificate ensures accurate insurance rating ofthe structure.
The following are some common mistakes made when completing Elevation Certificates:
Section B, no. 4: Date of FIRM Index A common mistake is to list the date ofthe FIRM panel being used. However, the date ofthe FIRM Index should be listed here to demonstrate that the most current version of the community flood map is being used.
Section B, no. 5: FIRM Zone The FIRM Zone that should be listed here is the Zone where the structure is located. This common error was brought to our attention by David Van Troost of ISO at a recent CRS Application meeting. David stated that he has seen many instances where the structure may have been out of the flood zone, but, if any portion of the property was within Zone A, Al30, or AE, this was the FIRM Zone listed on the Elevation Certificate. Some Elevation Certificates, David stated, even listed both Zones.
This mistake could result in homeowners being required to purchase flood insurance unnecessarily or being overcharged on insurance premiums. Make sure all Elevation Certificates list the proper flood zone.
Section C, no. 5: Actual construction vs. proposed construction
This item must be completed. Omitting this item can lead to questions later on should the community be requested to present documentation during a Community Assistance Visit by our office or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). If the reference
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level elevation listed on the Elevation Certificate is based on proposed construction, another Elevation Certificate must be completed at the time of actual construction.
If you have any questions regarding the proper
completion of the Elevation Certificate form,
please contact the Georgia Floodplain ManagementOffice at (404) 656-6382.
Upcoming Training Courses
The Federal. Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), through its Emergency Management Institute in. Emmitsburg, Maryland, will be sponsoring the resident courses listed below.
There are no tuition fees for EMl on-campus courses. All instruction, books, and housing are provided at no cost, and FEMA reimburses air fare. Participants are responsible for the cost of the meals provided and for personal' incidental expenses. All persons attending EMI courses are required to purchase a campus'meal ticket for the period of their course.
For additional information on the following courses, or to obtain an application, please contact Georgia's Floodplain Management Office at (404)656-6382. You may also contact EMIat 1-800-238-3358. It is suggested that applications for courses be submitted at least two months prior to the date of the course.
E234 - Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) - April 14,;,18, 1997; July 28August 1, 1997

E273 - Managing Floodplain Development Through the National. Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) .:.July 21-25,1997
E278 - National ,Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)! Community Rating System (CRS) ... June16-20, 1997; September 22-26,1997
E279 -Retrofitting Existing Floodprone Residential Buildings - April 21-25, 1997; September 8-12, 1997
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Emergency Management Degree Offered Via The Internet '
TheSt. Petersburg Junior College, lnstitute of Fire Science 'and Emergency Management located in Pinellas County, Florida now offers a two year degree in Emergency Administration and Management (EAM). The degree program offers courses in-residence and on the Internet.
The Director of the Institute of Fire Science and Emergency Management is George Buck, Ph.D., a graduate of the University of North Texas. Dr. Buck was employed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for four years prior to organizing the EAM program.
It is anticipated that the 'greatest ip.terest,will come from persons involved in fire service, law enforcement, emergency medical services and emergency management. However,these courses should also 'interest urban and community planners, public works personnel, and public and non-profit disaster relief organizations.

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For additional information ocontact: Dr. George Buck, Ph.D., Director Institute of Fire Science and Emergency Management St. Petersburg Junior College Allstate Center Post Office Box 13489 S1. Petersburg, Florida 33733-3489 Phone: (813)341-4479 Fax: (813) 341-4547 E-mail: buck@email.spjc.cc.fl.us

Internet

web

site 0 is

at:

http://beatl.spjc.cc.fl.us/em!em.html

Upcoming Events
April 27-May 2: The Association of State Floodplain Managers Annual Conference, Little Rock, Arkansas - The theme for the Association's 21st annual conference is "Floodplain Management in a Multifaceted World." Local, State, and Federal floodplain "managers," as well as the private sector, are encouraged to attend. The Conference will afford attendees an opportunity to polish their knowledge ofthe profession through discussions centered on stormwater systems, wetland management, water quality issues, geographic information systems, long term flood recovery, and various mitigation techniques. Associated with the conferenceo will be workshops, exhibits, presentations, and committee meetings covering a variety of topics. The Association invites you to take advantage of this exciting opportunity. For more information contact Alison Nicholson, Conference Director, at (501) 682-3982.

The Georgia Floodplain
Management Office on
The Internet
The Georgia Floodplain Management Office now has it's own web site. Persons accessing this site can obtain information about our office and available publications, as well as a link to the Georgia GIS Clearinghouse which contains downloadable FEMA Q3 Flood Data. In addition, ao plain text version of HIGH GROUND will be available on a quarterly basis to view and/or print.
The Floodplain Management site is located at: http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/EPD/index.htm Click on Water Resources Branch listed under EPD Branches. The link to the GIS Clearinghouse is listed under Water Resources Guidance Documents and Data.

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GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES Environmental Protection Division Floodplain Management Office 7Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive Suite 440 Atlanta, Georgia 30334