Assessing, Mitigating, and Communicating Flood Risk

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

Background: Flooding is a perennial hazard for rivers and coasts alike. Every year, flooding results in billions of dollars of damage and the loss of dozens to hundreds of lives across the United States. Efforts to mitigate this hazard rely on the work of geoscientists, planners, and communicators to assess and minimize risks, prepare and inform communities, and ensure that lives and livelihoods are prioritized before, during, and after flood events.

Our speakers are:

Marie Peppler, Federal Liaison and Flood Inundation Mapping Coordinator, U.S. Geological Survey | Slides Video
Maria Cox Lamm, CFM, State Coordinator, Flood Mitigation Program, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources | Slides Video
Iain Hyde, CFM, Deputy Director, Colorado Resiliency & Recovery Office | Slides Video

Webinar Co-Sponsors: American Association of Geographers, American Institute of Professional Geologists, American Meteorological Society, Association of State Floodplain Managers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), International Association of Hydrogeologists: United States National Chapter, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Natural Hazard Mitigation Association, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Resources to learn more:

View this webinar's Question & Answer session
U.S. Geological Survey: Flood Inundation Mapping Program factsheet | website
U.S. Geological Survey: Flood Inundation Mapper
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: Flood Mitigation Program website
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources: Quick Guide to Floodplain Management in South Carolina
Colorado United - website of the Colorado Resiliency & Recovery Office
Colorado Resiliency Resource Center website
Planning For Hazards - Land Use Solutions for Colorado website
FloodSmart - website of the National Flood Insurance Program
FEMA Flood Map Service Center website
Association of State Floodplain Managers website

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about flood risk.

Flood Risk: USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Science

GSL @geolsoc designates 2017 "The Year of Risk"

Geological Society of London

Happy New Year? The Geological Society of London (GSL, @geolsoc) has designated 2017 as "The Year of Risk," following two successful themed years. In addition to geohazards, GSL will explore the increasingly complex risks associated with growing demand for resources like water, minerals and energy.

National Academy of Sciences holds workshop on legacy issues, induced seismicity, and risk management in the oil and gas industry

An earthquake-resistant pipeline crossing the San Andreas Fault at Cholame, California. Image Copyright © Michael Collier http://www.earthscienceworld.org/images

On Thursday and Friday, December 1-2, the National Academies' Roundtable on Unconventional Hydrocarbons held a workshop on Unconventional Hydrocarbon Development: Legacy Issues, Induced Seismicity, and Innovations in Managing Risk. The meeting brought together experts from industry, academia, state and federal agencies, and environmental organizations to assess recent and potential future developments in understanding, monitoring, and mitigating the risks associated with oil and gas production.

Click “Read More” for a summary of some key takeaways.

Critical Issues: Webinar Update on Induced Seismicity in Kansas

We have a brand new update on last year's webinar, Induced Seismicity in the Midcontinent. One of our speakers, Rex Buchanan, former State Geologist of Kansas, has returned to provide us with an update on seismic activity in Kansas. You can watch the short video on YouTube here: http://bit.ly/2flI6Ed

Critical Issues: National Academy of Sciences holds meeting on earthquake and tsunami risk in the Pacific Northwest

Screenshot of a graphic showing the Cascadia Subduction Zone

On Thursday November 10, The National Academies' Board on Earth Science and Resources and the Committee on Seismology and Geodynamics held a joint meeting on The Cascadia Subduction Zone: Science, Impacts, and Response. The meeting provided a forum for the discussion of progress and future directions in the monitoring, modeling, measurement, mitigation, and communication of earthquake and tsunami risk in the Pacific Northwest. Click “Read More” for a summary of some key takeaways.

Critical Issues: Map of the Day - Geoscience Features in Kentucky

Interactive map of geoscience features in Kentucky. Image Credit: Kentucky Geological Survey

#MapOfTheDay! Today the Critical Issues Program (@AGI_GeoIssues) shared an interactive map of geoscience features in Kentucky from the Kentucky Geological Survey (@KGSNews), which you can find at http://bit.ly/1HvVsFA.

Interactive map of coastal geoscience information in Maryland

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources' Coastal Atlas provides a large amount of information on coastal issues in Maryland. The interactive map includes:

Interactive map of natural hazards and resources in Puerto Rico

The Government of Puerto Rico's Portal Datos Geograficos Gubernamentales (governmental geographic data portal) provides a range of information on natural hazards and resources in Puerto Rico, which can be viewed in a GIS program. The interactive map includes:

AIPG: Twenty Roadblocks to Communicating Engineering Geology

American Institute of Professional Geologists

Cover of the July/August/September issue of The Professional Geologists

In the latest issue of "The Professional Geologist," the American Institute of Professional Geologists published a thoughtful article on roadblocks to communicating engineering geology.

GSL: 2017 - The Year of Risk