CFM EXAM STUDY GUIDEQUESTIONS
& ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Riverine, Coastal, and Shallow Flooding - ANSWERWhat are the three most
common types of flooding?
Flash Flooding - ANSWERWhich type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-
related deaths?
Meander - ANSWERA curve or turn in a river channel?
Storm Surge - ANSWERWhat is the major cause in coastal flooding?
Underwater earthquakes or volcanoes - ANSWERWhat causes a tsunami?
1. Closed Basin Lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows - ANSWERList the five types of special flood hazards covered in FEMA
480.
Recreational benefits, scientific and historical benefits, Ecosystem benefits, and they
protect communities from flooding. - ANSWERList three benefits that a floodplain
contributes to your community
1. Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of the flooding
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding - ANSWERWhat
two problems result from floodplain development?
It can accelerate flooding on properties at the end of the wall - ANSWERWhat is one
of the problems with constructing seawalls to protect buildings from flooding or
erosion?
1. Hydrodynamic forces
2. Hydrostatic forces
3. Soaking
4. Debris impact
5. Sediment and contaminants - ANSWERWhat are the 5 main causes of flood
damage?
3 - ANSWERStanding water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a
frame house.
Disruption of public utilities, Electrocution, contamination of water supplies, fire, dirty
ponds, mold, contaminated air ducts, mental health problems - ANSWERWhat are
some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods?
,Structural flood control projects - ANSWERPrior to the 1960's what was the primary
way to reduce flood losses?
A decision-making process that aims to achieve the wise use of the nations
floodplains. - ANSWERWhat is the unified national program for floodplain
managements definition of floodplain management?
1. To reduce the loss of life, disruption, and damage caused by floods
2. To preserve and restore the natural resources and functions of floodplains -
ANSWERWhat are the two primary goals of floodplain management?
1. Hilly areas with steep slopes and narrow valleys
2. Urban areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces and storm sewers
3. Areas downstream of dams or subject to ice jams - ANSWERWhat areas are
conducive to flash flooding?
No. Riverine erosion can move stream channels and undercut structures. -
ANSWERIs erosion only a threat in coastal areas?
Where storm water runoff collects in depressions and cannot drain out. -
ANSWERWhat is ponding?
Filling reduces the floodplains ability to store excess water, sending more water
downstream and causing floods to rise to higher levels. - ANSWERWhat does filling
in a floodplain do?
Yes, it may remove a natural barrier that protects inland properties - ANSWERDoes
moving sand and sand dunes affect flooding?
Moving, Standing - ANSWERHydrodynamic forces are caused by _____ water and
hydrostatic forces are caused by ____ water.
Wood, gypsum board, furniture and upholstery, carpeting, mattresses, books,
electrical appliances, gas engines - ANSWERList three materials or house hold
items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage by soaking.
1. Regulations to prohibit development in high-hazard areas
2. Building codes requiring flood resistant construction for new buildings in flood
prone areas
3. Acquisition and relocation of buildings in high hazard areas
4. Modifying or retrofitting existing buildings
5. Installing flood warning systems
6. Controlling storm water runoff
7. Provide self-help advice to property owners - ANSWERWhat are examples of non-
structural flood protection measures
1. Modify human susceptibility to flood damage
2. Modify the impact of flooding
3. Modify flooding itself
, 4. Preserve and restore natural resources - ANSWERWhat are the Unified National
Program for Floodplain Managements four main floodplain management strategies?
The National Flood Insurance Act created the National Flood Insurance Program to:
1. Transfer the costs of private property flood losses from the taxpayers to floodplain
property owners through the flood insurance premiums.
2. Provide residents and property owners with financial aid after floods, especially
smaller floods that do not warrant federal disaster aid.
3. Guide development away from flood hazard areas.
4. Require that new and substantially improved buildings be constructed in ways that
would minimize or prevent damage in a flood. - ANSWERWhat are the objectives of
the NFIP?
1. Mapping
2. Insurance
3. Regulations - ANSWERWhat are the three basic parts of the NFIP?
1. Communities, states amd federal agencies for regulating new floodprone
construction
2. Insurance agents use them when rating flood insurance policies
3. Lenders and federal agencies use them to determine when flood insurance must
be purchased as a condition of a loan - ANSWERWho uses NFIP maps?
Over time, exposure to flood damage should be reduced, as the older pre-firm
buildings are replaced by post-firm buildings. Eventually, a community should have
only post-firm buildings subject to little or no flood damage. - ANSWERWhat should
happen to buildings in NFIP communities over time?
They vary from state to state, but can include cities, towns, villlages, townships,
counties, parishes, special districts, states and indian nations with the statutory
authority to enact and enforce regulations. - ANSWERWhat type of governmental
bodies are considered to be communities by the NFIP?
The ten regional offices. - ANSWERWhich FEMA office works directly with
communities?
An arrangement whereby private insurance companies write and service NFIP flood
insurance policies under their own name - ANSWERWhat is the Write Your Own
program?
1. A resolution of intent to "maintain in force...adequate land use and control
measures" and to cooperate with FEMA.
2. Its adopted floodplain management ordinance - ANSWERWhen a community
applies to join the NFIP, what must it submit?
& ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Riverine, Coastal, and Shallow Flooding - ANSWERWhat are the three most
common types of flooding?
Flash Flooding - ANSWERWhich type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-
related deaths?
Meander - ANSWERA curve or turn in a river channel?
Storm Surge - ANSWERWhat is the major cause in coastal flooding?
Underwater earthquakes or volcanoes - ANSWERWhat causes a tsunami?
1. Closed Basin Lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows - ANSWERList the five types of special flood hazards covered in FEMA
480.
Recreational benefits, scientific and historical benefits, Ecosystem benefits, and they
protect communities from flooding. - ANSWERList three benefits that a floodplain
contributes to your community
1. Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of the flooding
2. Buildings and infrastructure are damaged by periodic flooding - ANSWERWhat
two problems result from floodplain development?
It can accelerate flooding on properties at the end of the wall - ANSWERWhat is one
of the problems with constructing seawalls to protect buildings from flooding or
erosion?
1. Hydrodynamic forces
2. Hydrostatic forces
3. Soaking
4. Debris impact
5. Sediment and contaminants - ANSWERWhat are the 5 main causes of flood
damage?
3 - ANSWERStanding water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a
frame house.
Disruption of public utilities, Electrocution, contamination of water supplies, fire, dirty
ponds, mold, contaminated air ducts, mental health problems - ANSWERWhat are
some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods?
,Structural flood control projects - ANSWERPrior to the 1960's what was the primary
way to reduce flood losses?
A decision-making process that aims to achieve the wise use of the nations
floodplains. - ANSWERWhat is the unified national program for floodplain
managements definition of floodplain management?
1. To reduce the loss of life, disruption, and damage caused by floods
2. To preserve and restore the natural resources and functions of floodplains -
ANSWERWhat are the two primary goals of floodplain management?
1. Hilly areas with steep slopes and narrow valleys
2. Urban areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces and storm sewers
3. Areas downstream of dams or subject to ice jams - ANSWERWhat areas are
conducive to flash flooding?
No. Riverine erosion can move stream channels and undercut structures. -
ANSWERIs erosion only a threat in coastal areas?
Where storm water runoff collects in depressions and cannot drain out. -
ANSWERWhat is ponding?
Filling reduces the floodplains ability to store excess water, sending more water
downstream and causing floods to rise to higher levels. - ANSWERWhat does filling
in a floodplain do?
Yes, it may remove a natural barrier that protects inland properties - ANSWERDoes
moving sand and sand dunes affect flooding?
Moving, Standing - ANSWERHydrodynamic forces are caused by _____ water and
hydrostatic forces are caused by ____ water.
Wood, gypsum board, furniture and upholstery, carpeting, mattresses, books,
electrical appliances, gas engines - ANSWERList three materials or house hold
items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage by soaking.
1. Regulations to prohibit development in high-hazard areas
2. Building codes requiring flood resistant construction for new buildings in flood
prone areas
3. Acquisition and relocation of buildings in high hazard areas
4. Modifying or retrofitting existing buildings
5. Installing flood warning systems
6. Controlling storm water runoff
7. Provide self-help advice to property owners - ANSWERWhat are examples of non-
structural flood protection measures
1. Modify human susceptibility to flood damage
2. Modify the impact of flooding
3. Modify flooding itself
, 4. Preserve and restore natural resources - ANSWERWhat are the Unified National
Program for Floodplain Managements four main floodplain management strategies?
The National Flood Insurance Act created the National Flood Insurance Program to:
1. Transfer the costs of private property flood losses from the taxpayers to floodplain
property owners through the flood insurance premiums.
2. Provide residents and property owners with financial aid after floods, especially
smaller floods that do not warrant federal disaster aid.
3. Guide development away from flood hazard areas.
4. Require that new and substantially improved buildings be constructed in ways that
would minimize or prevent damage in a flood. - ANSWERWhat are the objectives of
the NFIP?
1. Mapping
2. Insurance
3. Regulations - ANSWERWhat are the three basic parts of the NFIP?
1. Communities, states amd federal agencies for regulating new floodprone
construction
2. Insurance agents use them when rating flood insurance policies
3. Lenders and federal agencies use them to determine when flood insurance must
be purchased as a condition of a loan - ANSWERWho uses NFIP maps?
Over time, exposure to flood damage should be reduced, as the older pre-firm
buildings are replaced by post-firm buildings. Eventually, a community should have
only post-firm buildings subject to little or no flood damage. - ANSWERWhat should
happen to buildings in NFIP communities over time?
They vary from state to state, but can include cities, towns, villlages, townships,
counties, parishes, special districts, states and indian nations with the statutory
authority to enact and enforce regulations. - ANSWERWhat type of governmental
bodies are considered to be communities by the NFIP?
The ten regional offices. - ANSWERWhich FEMA office works directly with
communities?
An arrangement whereby private insurance companies write and service NFIP flood
insurance policies under their own name - ANSWERWhat is the Write Your Own
program?
1. A resolution of intent to "maintain in force...adequate land use and control
measures" and to cooperate with FEMA.
2. Its adopted floodplain management ordinance - ANSWERWhen a community
applies to join the NFIP, what must it submit?
