0. Protecting Critical Facilities from Flood Risk
Tennessee Association of Floodplain Management
July 27, 2011
Roy McClure
DHS/FEMA Region IV
Good morning, my name is Susan Wilson, and I serve as a Senior Natural Hazards Program Specialist for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
It is an honor to be able to speak to you today about the National Flood Insurance Program, a unique type of property and casualty insurance coverage.

1. This control panel was inundated with 3 feet of floodwater (yellow arrow). Sensitive electronic equipment was damaged (Columbus Junction, IA).

2. This emergency generator—elevated 2 feet above the floor on a concrete base—was not directly affected by floodwaters, but was rendered ineffective because the transfer switch was mounted below the transformer and flooded during the event (Cedar Rapids, Iowa).

3. What is a Critical Facility?
A facility that is essential for community’s vitality.

4. Critical Systems
Electrical systems (including power, life-safety, communication, and IT equipment)
Plumbing systems (including water, sanitary, and mechanical piping)
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems
Specialized equipment (including conveyance, medical, and detention equipment)

5. What is a Critical Facility?
Man-made structures and improvements:
Have potential to cause serious bodily harm
Have potential to cause extensive property damage
If damaged, would cause disruption of vital services

6. What is a Critical Facility?
Essential Governmental Facilities
Essential facilities
Transportation systems
Lifeline utility systems
High Potential Loss Facilities
Hazardous Materials Storage Facilities

7. What is a Critical Facility?
Impacts of even the smallest chance of flooding too great?
If flooded, would add another dimension to the flood?
Could the facility be evacuated without loss of life?
Would essential records/services be lost?
Would services by facility be disrupted?
Police, Fire, EOC, Hospitals
Data centers, Schools, Water Treatment Plants
Sewer Treatment Plants

8. Governing Regulations
Executive Order 11988
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinances
State/Local Building Codes
Coastal Zone Management Regulations
Erosion and Sediment Control
Special Purpose Ordinances

9. Factors affecting Flood Damage
Channel/floodplain obstructions
Erosion/Sedimentation
Increased upland development
Subsidence
Wave/Debris impacts
Failure of levees
Failure of dams

10. Flood Loads Hydrostatic loads Hydrodynamic loads Breaking wave loads
Buoyancy
Hydrodynamic loads
Breaking wave loads
Debris impact loads
Long-term erosion and local scour

11. Vulnerability to Flood Damage
Site Damage
Erosion/scour
Debris/sediment removal
Landscaping
Fences
Accessory structures
Access roads
Parking lots/garage
Drainage facilities
Collapsed fence
Road damage

12. Vulnerability to Flood Damage
Structural Damage
Load-bearing walls
Floors
Collapse
Nonstructural Damage
Mold above flood level
Cabinets/finishes
Ruptured floor
Cracked wall
Collapse by scour

13. Vulnerability to Flood Damage
Utility System Damage
Displacement of equipment
Elevators
Corrosion
Generators
Tanks
Water/sewer
Generator elevated, but failed to operate due to submergence

14. Vulnerability to Flood Damage
Contents Damage
Furniture
Computers
Appliances
Records
Kitchen goods
Vehicles
Kitchen appliances and equipment displaced
Medical records saturated by floodwaters

15. Risk Reduction in A-Zones
Site Modifications
Earthen fill
Excavation
Earthen levee
Floodwall
Levee
Floodwall

16. Risk Reduction in A-Zones
Elevation Considerations
Slab-on-grade on fill
Stem wall foundation
Column foundation
Crawlspace
Municipal building on fill
Stem wall foundation
Lowest Floor ≥ (0.2% (500-year)
flood elevation + FB)
Column foundation

17. Risk Reduction in A-Zones
Intended to reduce only physical damage
Floodproofing Considerations
Limit for flood velocities ≤ 5 fps
Warning time ≥ 12 hours (w/o a warning system)
At least 1 exit door for escape above the DFE
Approved emergency plan, posted in 2 locations
Location of panels and hardware
Entity and methods of installation
Schedule for maintenance
Schedule for periodic practices and drills
ASCE-24

18. Risk Reduction in V-Zones
Considerations
Bottom of lowest horizontal structural member of the Lowest Floor ≥ (0.2% (500-year) flood elevation + FB)
Elevated on pilings or columns
Free-of-obstruction below the Lowest Floor
Breakaway walls an option below Lowest Floor
Corrosion-resistant connections
Use below LF (parking, storage, building access)

19. Risk Reduction in V-Zones
Higher foundations than the DFE
Scour and erosion
Flood-borne debris
Continuous load path (corrosion-resistant connections)
Emergency equipment well above the DFE
Use lowest elevated floor to non-critical uses not to impair critical functioning during post-flood recovery

20. Risk Reduction in Coastal A-Zones
Breaking waves from 1.5 to 3 feet high; landward of V-Zone or open coast with no V-Zone
Significantly more damage potential
ASCE-24 requires V-Zone standards
Floodproofing may be less feasible alternative
Corrosion-resistant connections
Use limitations below LF (parking, storage, and building access)

21. Risk Reduction in A- and V-Zones
Material Considerations
Flood resistant (extended contact)
Non-coastal: 72 hours
Coastal: 12 hours
USACE Classes acceptable
Class 5
Class 4
Ref.: NFIP Technical Bulletin 2

22. Risk Reduction for Related facilities
Access roads
Safety factors
Floodplain and environmental impacts
Drainage structures and surface design
Utility installations
Potable water and wastewater systems
Storage tank installations
Accessory structures
Equipment room with water-tight door

23. OVERALL

24. Reducing Flood Losses Locate outside the 0.2 % (500-year) floodplain
Elevation
At least to 0.2% flood elevation
Floodproofing
Effective for only up to 3 to 4 feet of floodwater
Good for protection of equipment
In all cases, maintain dry land ingress and egress for ordinary and emergency vehicles above the 0.2% flood elevation.

25. Hazard Mitigation Measures
Incorporate at all stages and levels of:
Planning
Design
Maintenance
Reconstruction
Rehabilitation
Elevated utility box

26. Resources National Flood Insurance Program Home page
FEMA 543 – Design Guide for Improving Critical Facility Safety from Flooding and High Winds, January 2007
Technical Bulletins
2. Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc.
Critical Facilities and Flood Risk
Executive Order
Water Resources Council -- Floodplain Management Guidelines for Implementing EO 11988, February 10, 1978
Prior to addressing the seminar’s agenda – take a moment and go over the resources that are available to attendees.

27. Questions? NFIP Insurance
Risk Reduction
Questions?
NFIP
Roy McClure Susan Wilson P
Insurance
Flood Hazard