CERTIFIED FLOODPLAIN MANAGER CFM
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What is basic rule #2 on what needs a permit in the floodplain?
Answer: A permit is required for all development in the SFHA.
⩥ What is Basic Rule #3? Answer: Development must not increase the
flood hazard on other properties
⩥ In a riverine AE Zone with a base flood elevation, what must a
developer show in order to demonstrate that he is meeting Basic Rule
#3? Answer: He must conduct an encroachment review that
demonstrates that the cumulative effect of the proposed development,
when combined with all other existing and anticipated development:
· Will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more
than one foot at any point within the community, and
· Is consistent with the technical criteria contained in Chapter 5
(Hydraulic Analyses) of the Flood Insurance Study: Guidelines and
Specifications for Study Contractors, FEMA-37, 1995.
⩥ What does Basic rule #4 say about new buildings in A Zones?
Answer: New, substantially improved or substantially damaged
buildings must be protected from damage by the base flood.
,⩥ What does Basic rule #5 say about new buildings in V Zones?
Answer: There are special building requirements in addition to the
building protection requirements for buildings in A Zones. Due to wave
impacts, V Zones have special building protection standards in addition
to the requirements for A zones.
⩥ What is the basic rule on improvements and repairs to existing
buildings in the floodplain? Answer: If the cost of improvements or the
cost to repair the damage exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the
building, it must be brought up to current floodplain management
standards.
⩥ What is the basic rule on calculating the cost of the damage? Answer:
Substantial damage is determined regardless of the actual cost to the
owner. You must figure the true cost of bringing the building back to its
pre-damage condition using qualified labor and materials obtained at
market prices.
⩥ What are the three most common types of flooding? Answer:
Riverine, coastal, shallow
⩥ Which type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-related
deaths in recent history? Answer: Flash flooding
⩥ What is a "meander"? Answer: It is a curve or turn in a river channel
,⩥ What is the major cause of coastal flooding? Answer: Storm surge
⩥ What causes a tsunami? Answer: Underwater earthquakes or
volcanoes
⩥ List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course.
Does your community have any of these? Answer: 1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
⩥ What two problems result from floodplain development? Answer: 1.
Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding.
⩥ What does watershed development do to flooding? Answer: The
increase in impervious surface results in increased runoff and higher
flood levels.
⩥ What is one of the problems with constructing seawalls to protect
buildings from flooding or erosion? Answer: It can accelerate erosion on
properties at the end of the wall.
, ⩥ What are the five main causes of flood damage? Answer: 1.
Hydrodynamic forces
2. Debris impact
3. Hydrostatic forces
4. Soaking
5. Sediments and contaminants
⩥ Standing water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a
frame house. Answer: 3 feet
⩥ What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany
floods? Answer: 1. Disruption of public utilities
2. Electrocution
3. Contamination of water supplies
4. Fire
5. Animal carcasses, garbage, and ponds; which can become breeding
grounds for germs and mosquitoes
6. Mold, mildew, and bacteria that grow in damp, flooded areas
7. Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
8. Stress and mental health problems
FINAL STUDY GUIDE 2026 QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
⩥ What is basic rule #2 on what needs a permit in the floodplain?
Answer: A permit is required for all development in the SFHA.
⩥ What is Basic Rule #3? Answer: Development must not increase the
flood hazard on other properties
⩥ In a riverine AE Zone with a base flood elevation, what must a
developer show in order to demonstrate that he is meeting Basic Rule
#3? Answer: He must conduct an encroachment review that
demonstrates that the cumulative effect of the proposed development,
when combined with all other existing and anticipated development:
· Will not increase the water surface elevation of the base flood more
than one foot at any point within the community, and
· Is consistent with the technical criteria contained in Chapter 5
(Hydraulic Analyses) of the Flood Insurance Study: Guidelines and
Specifications for Study Contractors, FEMA-37, 1995.
⩥ What does Basic rule #4 say about new buildings in A Zones?
Answer: New, substantially improved or substantially damaged
buildings must be protected from damage by the base flood.
,⩥ What does Basic rule #5 say about new buildings in V Zones?
Answer: There are special building requirements in addition to the
building protection requirements for buildings in A Zones. Due to wave
impacts, V Zones have special building protection standards in addition
to the requirements for A zones.
⩥ What is the basic rule on improvements and repairs to existing
buildings in the floodplain? Answer: If the cost of improvements or the
cost to repair the damage exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the
building, it must be brought up to current floodplain management
standards.
⩥ What is the basic rule on calculating the cost of the damage? Answer:
Substantial damage is determined regardless of the actual cost to the
owner. You must figure the true cost of bringing the building back to its
pre-damage condition using qualified labor and materials obtained at
market prices.
⩥ What are the three most common types of flooding? Answer:
Riverine, coastal, shallow
⩥ Which type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-related
deaths in recent history? Answer: Flash flooding
⩥ What is a "meander"? Answer: It is a curve or turn in a river channel
,⩥ What is the major cause of coastal flooding? Answer: Storm surge
⩥ What causes a tsunami? Answer: Underwater earthquakes or
volcanoes
⩥ List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course.
Does your community have any of these? Answer: 1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
⩥ What two problems result from floodplain development? Answer: 1.
Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding.
⩥ What does watershed development do to flooding? Answer: The
increase in impervious surface results in increased runoff and higher
flood levels.
⩥ What is one of the problems with constructing seawalls to protect
buildings from flooding or erosion? Answer: It can accelerate erosion on
properties at the end of the wall.
, ⩥ What are the five main causes of flood damage? Answer: 1.
Hydrodynamic forces
2. Debris impact
3. Hydrostatic forces
4. Soaking
5. Sediments and contaminants
⩥ Standing water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a
frame house. Answer: 3 feet
⩥ What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany
floods? Answer: 1. Disruption of public utilities
2. Electrocution
3. Contamination of water supplies
4. Fire
5. Animal carcasses, garbage, and ponds; which can become breeding
grounds for germs and mosquitoes
6. Mold, mildew, and bacteria that grow in damp, flooded areas
7. Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
8. Stress and mental health problems
