CFM Exam Questions and Answers
Shallow flooding problems fall into (3) categories - Correct Answers -Sheet flow,
ponding, urban drainage, coastal flooding (depths 1-3 feet)
Describe areas where ponding may be a problem - Correct Answers -Glaciated areas,
caves and sinkholes, man-made features
What are (5) Special Flood Hazards - Correct Answers -Closed basin lakes, uncertain
flow paths, dam breaks, ice jams, mud flows
Alluvial fan flooding is what type of special flood hazard and what are the inherent
hazards thereof? - Correct Answers -Uncertain flow path: (1) velocity and debris (2)
sediment and debris deposition (3) potential for channel to move
What is the NFIP definition of a mudslide - Correct Answers -Liquid mud down a hillside
resulting from loss of brush cover and subsequent accumulation of water on the ground
What is the purpose of a planning grant in terms of Flood Mitigation? - Correct Answers
-To develop or update a Flood Mitigation Plan which "will articulate a comprehensive
strategy for implementing tech feasible flood mitigation activities for the affected area by
the plan."
What are examples of projects that are eligible for funding through FMA? - Correct
Answers -Acquisition, Relocation, Demolition, Elevation, Minor physical flood mitigation
projects, Beach nourishment
To be eligible for a project grant the project must be: - Correct Answers -Conform to
Flood Mitigation Plan, Cost effective, Conforming to Fed Regs / NFIP standards, Tech
Feasible, Physically located in NFIP community.
What is the availability through a Federal Cost Share concerning the Pre-Disaster
Mitigation (PDM) Program - Correct Answers -75% Cost Share, 150M available
annually for US.
Describe NFIP regulations for mudslides - Correct Answers -Provides coverage in these
areas but does not require mapping or management measures
What is the estimate regarding the number of households that dwell in floodplains
nationwide? - Correct Answers -8-10 Million
,What are (2) problems that develop from development in floodplains. - Correct Answers
-(1) Alters floodplain and dynamic of flooding (2) building and infrastructure damage
Regarding urbanization and watersheds what timing issue may persist in sub-
watersheds? - Correct Answers -Development of one sub-watershed faster than
another one, lead to peak that will arrive to the main channel at the same time as the
underdeveloped sub-watershed.
Annually, floods kill how many people? - Correct Answers -150, largely by vehicles (can
float in up to 2 feet of water)
Annually, what is the approximate property damage due to flooding - Correct Answers -
$6 Billion
What are the (5) main causes of flood damage that one should be knowledgeable as a
floodplain manager? - Correct Answers -Hydrodynamic forces, hydro static forces,
debris impacts, soaking, sediment and contaminants
What are (3) hydrodynamic force impacts regarding flood damage? - Correct Answers -
Frontal, drag, suction/eddy/negative pressure
Floods that have a velocity greater than ? are regarding as a high velocity flood? -
Correct Answers -5 feet per second
How many feet of standing water are enough to cause a collapse of wall structures? -
Correct Answers -3 feet, hydrostatic force
Identify (8) safety and health hazards of a flood - Correct Answers -Utility, Gas, Fire,
Drinking Water, contaminants, mold/mildew, air quality/ducts, stress/mental health
Flood Control Acts of 1928 and 1936 initiated what? - Correct Answers -Construction of
flood control projects both coastal and riverine
What was the pivotal year in which flood control projects started to change from typical
structural approaches? - Correct Answers -1960s
The NFIP was created in what year? - Correct Answers -1968
What are the (4) basic intentions as to the creation of the NFIP? - Correct Answers -(1)
Insurance program for disaster relief (2) distribution of floodplain mgmt to all levels of
govt/private (3) national standard for regulating new development (4) comprehensive
floodplain mapping program
,Regarding the NFIP, what has been one of the major goals of federal, state, and local
agencies? - Correct Answers -Coordination of flood-loss reduction programs with
environmental protection and watershed mgmt
Identify (7) non-structural flood protection measures - Correct Answers -(1) Regs to
prohibit development (2) Bldg codes - flood resistance construction (3) Acquisition and
relocation of bldgs (4) modification/retrofitting of bldgs (5) flood warning (6) storm-water
runoff (7) provision of self-help to property owners
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management - Correct Answers -
Developed under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, coordinates floodplain
management efforts of federal, state, local, and private entities
What is the purpose of the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force -
Correct Answers -Group that identifies federal agencies involved with flooding that
define "floodplain management" as decision making process involving "wise use" of
nations floodplains
What is "wise use" under the definition of floodplain management as defined by the
Task Foce - Correct Answers -Involves (1) reduced flood losses (2) protection of natural
resources (3) protection of floodplain function
What are (4) floodplain management strategies? - Correct Answers -(1) Modify human
susceptibility to flood damage (2) Modify impact of flooding (3) Modify flooding itself (4)
Preserve/restore natural resources
Identify (6) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (1) - Correct Answers -(1)
regulation (2) development/redevelopment practices (3) acquisition - open space
preservation (4) elevate / floodproof (5) forecasts/warnings (6) preservation and
restoration of natural resources and floodplain function
Identify (4) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (2) - Correct Answers -(1)
education (2) emergency measures (3) reduce financial impact (4) post-flood recovery
plans
Identify (8) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (3) - Correct Answers -(1)
dams/reservoirs (2) dikes/levees (3) channel alterations (4) diversion (5) abstractions
(6) detention (7) inland development protection (8) controlling runoff outside floodplain
Identify (6) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (4) - Correct Answers -(1)
wetlands / land-use regs (2) develop/re-develop policies (3) acquisition / open space (4)
education (5) tax adjustments (6) beach nurishment / dune building
What are the (3) primary components to the NFIP? - Correct Answers -(1) Mapping (2)
Insurance (3) Regulation
, In 1979 the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) and NFIP were transferred to FEMA.
Regarding the mapping component of FEMA, what are the primary purposes of maps
and data? - Correct Answers -Regulating floodprone construction, Flood Insurance
policies, Flood insurance procurement condition of a loan.
What are (2) kinds of FEMA maps? - Correct Answers -(1) Flood Hazard Boundary Map
(FHMB) for approximate (2) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) including flood
elevations and hazards necessary to protect new construction from flood damage.
Regarding FIRM construction what (2) classifications are buildings identified? - Correct
Answers -(1) Pre-FIRM and (2) Post FIRM, based on how protected they are from the
mapped hazard.
NFIP coverage pertains to damage by a "flood" identified as: - Correct Answers -
General and temporary condition of partial / complete inundation of normally dry land
from (1) Overflow of inland/tidal waters (2) Unusual / rapid accumulation or runoff of
surface waters from ANY source.
Flood insurance premiums for post-FIRM buildings are based on what? - Correct
Answers -Degree of flood protection provided.
Flood insurance premium rates for pre-FIRM buildings are based on what? - Correct
Answers -Subsidized by NFIP. Policy owners do not pay actuarial (rates based on true
risk of building) rates
The NFIP underwrites flood insurance coverage for which communities? - Correct
Answers -Those that adopt and enforce floodplain regulations that meet or exceed NFIP
critiera.
In terms of risk and insurance rates, buildings constructed in accordance with NFIP
regulations assure? - Correct Answers -Lower risk and lower rates
What (3) consequences may occur for communities that do not enforce NFIP
ordinance? - Correct Answers -(1) New buildings subject to flood damage (2) Insurance
on improperly constructed building would be expensive (3) FEMA can impose sanctions
What are the roles of commitment of a participating NFIP community? - Correct
Answers -(1) Issuing/denying floodplain development/permits (2) Development
inspection to assure compliance (3) Record maintenance of floodplain development
(4) Assistance of prep and revision of floodplain maps
(5) Assist residents with info on hazards, map data, insurance and proper construction
measures.
What is the responsibility of the State Coordinating Agency that accompanies the NFIP?
- Correct Answers -(1) Ensuring communities have legal authorities to adopt and
enforce floodplain mgmt. regs (2) Establishing minimum state regs consistent with NFIP
Shallow flooding problems fall into (3) categories - Correct Answers -Sheet flow,
ponding, urban drainage, coastal flooding (depths 1-3 feet)
Describe areas where ponding may be a problem - Correct Answers -Glaciated areas,
caves and sinkholes, man-made features
What are (5) Special Flood Hazards - Correct Answers -Closed basin lakes, uncertain
flow paths, dam breaks, ice jams, mud flows
Alluvial fan flooding is what type of special flood hazard and what are the inherent
hazards thereof? - Correct Answers -Uncertain flow path: (1) velocity and debris (2)
sediment and debris deposition (3) potential for channel to move
What is the NFIP definition of a mudslide - Correct Answers -Liquid mud down a hillside
resulting from loss of brush cover and subsequent accumulation of water on the ground
What is the purpose of a planning grant in terms of Flood Mitigation? - Correct Answers
-To develop or update a Flood Mitigation Plan which "will articulate a comprehensive
strategy for implementing tech feasible flood mitigation activities for the affected area by
the plan."
What are examples of projects that are eligible for funding through FMA? - Correct
Answers -Acquisition, Relocation, Demolition, Elevation, Minor physical flood mitigation
projects, Beach nourishment
To be eligible for a project grant the project must be: - Correct Answers -Conform to
Flood Mitigation Plan, Cost effective, Conforming to Fed Regs / NFIP standards, Tech
Feasible, Physically located in NFIP community.
What is the availability through a Federal Cost Share concerning the Pre-Disaster
Mitigation (PDM) Program - Correct Answers -75% Cost Share, 150M available
annually for US.
Describe NFIP regulations for mudslides - Correct Answers -Provides coverage in these
areas but does not require mapping or management measures
What is the estimate regarding the number of households that dwell in floodplains
nationwide? - Correct Answers -8-10 Million
,What are (2) problems that develop from development in floodplains. - Correct Answers
-(1) Alters floodplain and dynamic of flooding (2) building and infrastructure damage
Regarding urbanization and watersheds what timing issue may persist in sub-
watersheds? - Correct Answers -Development of one sub-watershed faster than
another one, lead to peak that will arrive to the main channel at the same time as the
underdeveloped sub-watershed.
Annually, floods kill how many people? - Correct Answers -150, largely by vehicles (can
float in up to 2 feet of water)
Annually, what is the approximate property damage due to flooding - Correct Answers -
$6 Billion
What are the (5) main causes of flood damage that one should be knowledgeable as a
floodplain manager? - Correct Answers -Hydrodynamic forces, hydro static forces,
debris impacts, soaking, sediment and contaminants
What are (3) hydrodynamic force impacts regarding flood damage? - Correct Answers -
Frontal, drag, suction/eddy/negative pressure
Floods that have a velocity greater than ? are regarding as a high velocity flood? -
Correct Answers -5 feet per second
How many feet of standing water are enough to cause a collapse of wall structures? -
Correct Answers -3 feet, hydrostatic force
Identify (8) safety and health hazards of a flood - Correct Answers -Utility, Gas, Fire,
Drinking Water, contaminants, mold/mildew, air quality/ducts, stress/mental health
Flood Control Acts of 1928 and 1936 initiated what? - Correct Answers -Construction of
flood control projects both coastal and riverine
What was the pivotal year in which flood control projects started to change from typical
structural approaches? - Correct Answers -1960s
The NFIP was created in what year? - Correct Answers -1968
What are the (4) basic intentions as to the creation of the NFIP? - Correct Answers -(1)
Insurance program for disaster relief (2) distribution of floodplain mgmt to all levels of
govt/private (3) national standard for regulating new development (4) comprehensive
floodplain mapping program
,Regarding the NFIP, what has been one of the major goals of federal, state, and local
agencies? - Correct Answers -Coordination of flood-loss reduction programs with
environmental protection and watershed mgmt
Identify (7) non-structural flood protection measures - Correct Answers -(1) Regs to
prohibit development (2) Bldg codes - flood resistance construction (3) Acquisition and
relocation of bldgs (4) modification/retrofitting of bldgs (5) flood warning (6) storm-water
runoff (7) provision of self-help to property owners
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management - Correct Answers -
Developed under the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, coordinates floodplain
management efforts of federal, state, local, and private entities
What is the purpose of the Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force -
Correct Answers -Group that identifies federal agencies involved with flooding that
define "floodplain management" as decision making process involving "wise use" of
nations floodplains
What is "wise use" under the definition of floodplain management as defined by the
Task Foce - Correct Answers -Involves (1) reduced flood losses (2) protection of natural
resources (3) protection of floodplain function
What are (4) floodplain management strategies? - Correct Answers -(1) Modify human
susceptibility to flood damage (2) Modify impact of flooding (3) Modify flooding itself (4)
Preserve/restore natural resources
Identify (6) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (1) - Correct Answers -(1)
regulation (2) development/redevelopment practices (3) acquisition - open space
preservation (4) elevate / floodproof (5) forecasts/warnings (6) preservation and
restoration of natural resources and floodplain function
Identify (4) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (2) - Correct Answers -(1)
education (2) emergency measures (3) reduce financial impact (4) post-flood recovery
plans
Identify (8) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (3) - Correct Answers -(1)
dams/reservoirs (2) dikes/levees (3) channel alterations (4) diversion (5) abstractions
(6) detention (7) inland development protection (8) controlling runoff outside floodplain
Identify (6) tools in Floodplain Management Strategy (4) - Correct Answers -(1)
wetlands / land-use regs (2) develop/re-develop policies (3) acquisition / open space (4)
education (5) tax adjustments (6) beach nurishment / dune building
What are the (3) primary components to the NFIP? - Correct Answers -(1) Mapping (2)
Insurance (3) Regulation
, In 1979 the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) and NFIP were transferred to FEMA.
Regarding the mapping component of FEMA, what are the primary purposes of maps
and data? - Correct Answers -Regulating floodprone construction, Flood Insurance
policies, Flood insurance procurement condition of a loan.
What are (2) kinds of FEMA maps? - Correct Answers -(1) Flood Hazard Boundary Map
(FHMB) for approximate (2) Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) including flood
elevations and hazards necessary to protect new construction from flood damage.
Regarding FIRM construction what (2) classifications are buildings identified? - Correct
Answers -(1) Pre-FIRM and (2) Post FIRM, based on how protected they are from the
mapped hazard.
NFIP coverage pertains to damage by a "flood" identified as: - Correct Answers -
General and temporary condition of partial / complete inundation of normally dry land
from (1) Overflow of inland/tidal waters (2) Unusual / rapid accumulation or runoff of
surface waters from ANY source.
Flood insurance premiums for post-FIRM buildings are based on what? - Correct
Answers -Degree of flood protection provided.
Flood insurance premium rates for pre-FIRM buildings are based on what? - Correct
Answers -Subsidized by NFIP. Policy owners do not pay actuarial (rates based on true
risk of building) rates
The NFIP underwrites flood insurance coverage for which communities? - Correct
Answers -Those that adopt and enforce floodplain regulations that meet or exceed NFIP
critiera.
In terms of risk and insurance rates, buildings constructed in accordance with NFIP
regulations assure? - Correct Answers -Lower risk and lower rates
What (3) consequences may occur for communities that do not enforce NFIP
ordinance? - Correct Answers -(1) New buildings subject to flood damage (2) Insurance
on improperly constructed building would be expensive (3) FEMA can impose sanctions
What are the roles of commitment of a participating NFIP community? - Correct
Answers -(1) Issuing/denying floodplain development/permits (2) Development
inspection to assure compliance (3) Record maintenance of floodplain development
(4) Assistance of prep and revision of floodplain maps
(5) Assist residents with info on hazards, map data, insurance and proper construction
measures.
What is the responsibility of the State Coordinating Agency that accompanies the NFIP?
- Correct Answers -(1) Ensuring communities have legal authorities to adopt and
enforce floodplain mgmt. regs (2) Establishing minimum state regs consistent with NFIP
