06-23-08 Drainage and Flooding Committee Minutes

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to individual homeowners. illtimately, mitigating repetitive flood loss properties benefits all tax payers. The University of New Orleans' Center for Hazards Assessment, Response and Technology (UNO - CHART) received a special grant from FEMA to collate data and analyze the repetitive flood loss areas in Louisiana and Texas. Using a geographic information system (GIS) and flood insurance claims data, repetitive flood loss areas and properties are being prioritized for attention and analysis. In selected locations where repetitive flooding is a problem, UNO-CHART works with local officials and residents to conduct in-depth analyses of the causes and possible solutions to the flooding problem. UNO-CHART conducted an "area analysis" case study in the Brookglen neighborhood (see Figures 1-1 and 1-2 on pages 3 and 4 for maps of the area). An area analysis follows FEMA guidelines to determine the why an area has repeated flood losses and what alternative flood protection measures would help break the cycle of repetitive flooding. The Process This area analysis follows a FEMA-prescribed five step process. However, the UNO-CHART Team has enhanced the five-step process by adding two important steps: a preliminary step (the area selection process) and a fmal step (ongoing collaboration with the neighborhood). Preliminary Step. The area to be studied is selected through a review of the repetitive flood loss claims data as well as other relevant information about residents of the area such as their interest in flood mitigation. This is done through a collaborative effort with local officials and residents. Once a neighborhood is selected, a smaller subset of properties within the neighborhood is selected as the analysis area based on the aforementioned criteria, although the goal is to engage the entire neighborhood. Step 1. Advise all the property owners in the repetitive flood loss area that the analysis will be conducted. Step 2. Collect data on the analysis area and each building in the identified study area within the neighborhood to determine the cause(s) of the repetitive damage. Step 3. Review alternative mitigation approaches and determine whether any property protection measures or drainage improvements are feasible. Step 4. Contact agencies or organizations that may have plans that could affect the cause or impacts of the flooding. Step 5. Document the findings, including information gathered from agencies and organizations, and relevant maps of the analysis area. Ongoing Collaboration with the Neighborhood. UNO-CHART establishes an ongoing collaborative partnership with the study area community. The UNO-CHART role Brookglen Area Analysis - DRAFT 2 9/8/2008