CFM EXAM PREP 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
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's the major cause of coastal flooding? - ....ANSWER ...-Storm surge
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. - ....ANSWER ...-
1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
List at least three benefits that floodplains, in a relatively undisturbed condition, actually
contribute or could contribute to your community. - ....ANSWER ...-- Aesthetic
pleasure
- Reducing the number and severity of floods
- Help maintain water quality by filtering nutrients and impurities from runoff
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 1
,- Help to protect habitats for rare and endangered species
- Recreational opportunities
List the three categories shallow flood problems fall into. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Sheet
flow
2. Ponding
3. Urban drainage
List the two types of closed basin lakes. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Lakes with no outlets
2. Lakes with inadequate, regulated or elevated outlets
List the three hazards associated with alluvial fans. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Velocity of
floodwaters and the debris they carry
2. Sediment and debris deposited by the floodwaters
3. The potential for the channel to move across the fan during the flood
What two problems result from floodplain development? - ....ANSWER ...-1.
Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Building 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 and erosion? - ....ANSWER ...-It can accelerate erosion on properties at
the end of the wall
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 2
, What are the five main causes of flood damage? - ....ANSWER ...-1. Hydrodynamic
forces
2. Debris impact
3. Hydrostatic forces
4. Soaking
5. Sediment and contaminants
Standing water as little as _______ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house. -
....ANSWER ...-Three feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? -
....ANSWER ...-- Disruption of public utilities
- Electrocution
- Contamination of water supplies
- Fire
- Animal carcasses, garbage and ponds that can become breeding grounds for germs and
mosquitoes
- Mold, mildew and bacteria that grow in damp, flooded areas
- Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
- Stress and mental health problems
Prior to the 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? -
....ANSWER ...-Structural flood control projects
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 3
AND ANSWERS
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's the major cause of coastal flooding? - ....ANSWER ...-Storm surge
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. - ....ANSWER ...-
1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
List at least three benefits that floodplains, in a relatively undisturbed condition, actually
contribute or could contribute to your community. - ....ANSWER ...-- Aesthetic
pleasure
- Reducing the number and severity of floods
- Help maintain water quality by filtering nutrients and impurities from runoff
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 1
,- Help to protect habitats for rare and endangered species
- Recreational opportunities
List the three categories shallow flood problems fall into. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Sheet
flow
2. Ponding
3. Urban drainage
List the two types of closed basin lakes. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Lakes with no outlets
2. Lakes with inadequate, regulated or elevated outlets
List the three hazards associated with alluvial fans. - ....ANSWER ...-1. Velocity of
floodwaters and the debris they carry
2. Sediment and debris deposited by the floodwaters
3. The potential for the channel to move across the fan during the flood
What two problems result from floodplain development? - ....ANSWER ...-1.
Development alters the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Building 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 and erosion? - ....ANSWER ...-It can accelerate erosion on properties at
the end of the wall
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 2
, What are the five main causes of flood damage? - ....ANSWER ...-1. Hydrodynamic
forces
2. Debris impact
3. Hydrostatic forces
4. Soaking
5. Sediment and contaminants
Standing water as little as _______ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house. -
....ANSWER ...-Three feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? -
....ANSWER ...-- Disruption of public utilities
- Electrocution
- Contamination of water supplies
- Fire
- Animal carcasses, garbage and ponds that can become breeding grounds for germs and
mosquitoes
- Mold, mildew and bacteria that grow in damp, flooded areas
- Contaminated air from dirty heating ducts
- Stress and mental health problems
Prior to the 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? -
....ANSWER ...-Structural flood control projects
…FOR DTUDY PURPOSES ONLY…©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED… 3
