FEMA 480 EXAM WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS
What's a good definition of "flood hazard mitigation?" - Answer-All actions that can be
taken to reduce property damage and the threat to life and public health from flooding.
What are the 6 basic strategies of flood hazard mitigation measures? - Answer-1.
Prevention
2. Property protection
3. Natural resource protection
4. Emergency services
5. Structural projects
6. Public information
What are some of the benefits of preparing a mitigation plan? - Answer-Preparing a plan
will:
1. Ensure that all possible activities are reviewed and implemented
2. Link floodplain management policies to specific areas
3. Ensure that activities are coordinated
4. Educate residents
5. Build public and political support
6. Fulfill planning requirements for state or federal assistance programs
7. Facilitate implementation of floodplain management activities
What are the guidelines of multi-level management? - Answer-1. Keep the effort locally
based
2. Understand the flood problem and its relation to the watershed
3. Think broadly about possible solutions to reduce the flood problem
4. Identify the other community concerns and goals that could have a bearing on the
flood problem
5. Obtain expert advice and assistance from government agencies and private
organizations
6. Build a partnership among the private and public groups and individuals that can be
enlisted to work on the agencies
Where can you get technical help in planning and implementing a mitigation program? -
Answer-1. National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
2. The soil and water conservation district
3. Natural Resources Conservation Service
4. Cooperative Extension Service
5. Watershed. stormwater management, or flood control districts
,6. Regional or metropolitan water, sewer, or sanitary districts
7. Regional planning commissions and councils of government
8. The state or county emergency management or civil defense agency
9. The state natural resources or water resources agency
10. Local watershed councils or associations
11. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
12. Association of State Floodplain Managers
13. Floodplain Management Resources Center
List some of the sources of financial assistance that are available for a mitigation
program. - Answer-1. Property owners willing to cost share on projects that help them
2. FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
3. FEMA's Public/Infrastructure Program
4. FEMA's Human Services programs
5. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Could my community be eligible for a Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant even if it did
not receive a disaster declaration? - Answer-Yes, under a 1997 FEMA ruling, all
communities in the state that are eligible after the disaster declaration.
What type of work may not need a permit after a flood? - Answer-Cleanup and
temporary emergency repairs
Once you advise an owner that a permit may be necessary, do you need to inspect the
building or can you save time and just wait for a permit application? - Answer-As soon
as possible after the notice is delivered, your office should inspect each flooded
property to review needed repairs and determine if a permit is needed
Who can help you make sure people don't reoccupy damaged buildings before they
have passed an inspection? - Answer-1. Make sure that utility companies won't turn
service back on unless there is an "Approved to Connect" sign posted on the building
2. Instruct police and other departments about the permit requirements and ask them to
report to you any construction projects under way without posted permit signs
3. Get the news media to help spread the word on the requirements and why they are
needed
What are the 3 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's a curve or turn in a river channel.
What's the major cause of coastal flooding? - Answer-Storm surge
,What causes a tsumani? - Answer-Underwater earthquake or volcanoes
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. - Answer-1. Closed
basin
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice Jams
5. Mudflows
What 2 problems result from floodplain development? - Answer-1. Development alters
the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Building and infrastructures 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. Sediment and contaminants
Standing water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house. -
Answer-3
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 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
Prior to the 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - Answer-
Structural flood control projects
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management's definition of
"floodplain management?" - Answer-A decision-making process that aims to achieve
the wise use of the nation's floodplains
, What are the two primary goals of floodplain management? - Answer-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
What areas are conducive to flash flooding? - Answer-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 jams
Is erosion only a threat in coastal areas? - Answer-No. Riverine erosion can move
through stream channels and undercut structures.
What is "ponding?" - Answer-Where storm water runoff collects in depressions and
cannot drain out
Are plants and animals the only beneficiaries of the "natural and beneficial functions" of
flood plains? - Answer-No. People benefit from floodplains through the food they
provide, the recreational opportunities the afford, and the scientific knowledge gained in
studying them. Floodplains also recharge ground water supplies and their filtering
actions help improve water quality.
What does filling in a floodplain do? - Answer-Filling reduces the floodplain's ability to
store excess water, sending more water downstream, and causing floods to rise to
higher levels.
Does moving sand and sand dunes affect flooding? - Answer-Yes, it may remove a
natural barrier that protects inland properties.
Hydrodynamic forces are caused by _____ water and hydrostatic forces are caused by
_____ water - Answer-Moving, Standing
List 3 materials or household items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage by
soaking. - Answer-1. Wood
2. Gypsum wallboard
3. Furniture and upholstery
4. Carpeting
5. Mattresses
6. Books
7. Electrical appliances
8. Gasoline engines
What are examples of non-structural flood protection measures? - Answer-1.
Regulations to prohibit development in high-hazard areas
2. Building codes requiring flood-resistant construction for new buildings in flood-prone
areas
CORRECT ANSWERS
What's a good definition of "flood hazard mitigation?" - Answer-All actions that can be
taken to reduce property damage and the threat to life and public health from flooding.
What are the 6 basic strategies of flood hazard mitigation measures? - Answer-1.
Prevention
2. Property protection
3. Natural resource protection
4. Emergency services
5. Structural projects
6. Public information
What are some of the benefits of preparing a mitigation plan? - Answer-Preparing a plan
will:
1. Ensure that all possible activities are reviewed and implemented
2. Link floodplain management policies to specific areas
3. Ensure that activities are coordinated
4. Educate residents
5. Build public and political support
6. Fulfill planning requirements for state or federal assistance programs
7. Facilitate implementation of floodplain management activities
What are the guidelines of multi-level management? - Answer-1. Keep the effort locally
based
2. Understand the flood problem and its relation to the watershed
3. Think broadly about possible solutions to reduce the flood problem
4. Identify the other community concerns and goals that could have a bearing on the
flood problem
5. Obtain expert advice and assistance from government agencies and private
organizations
6. Build a partnership among the private and public groups and individuals that can be
enlisted to work on the agencies
Where can you get technical help in planning and implementing a mitigation program? -
Answer-1. National Park Service's Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program
2. The soil and water conservation district
3. Natural Resources Conservation Service
4. Cooperative Extension Service
5. Watershed. stormwater management, or flood control districts
,6. Regional or metropolitan water, sewer, or sanitary districts
7. Regional planning commissions and councils of government
8. The state or county emergency management or civil defense agency
9. The state natural resources or water resources agency
10. Local watershed councils or associations
11. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
12. Association of State Floodplain Managers
13. Floodplain Management Resources Center
List some of the sources of financial assistance that are available for a mitigation
program. - Answer-1. Property owners willing to cost share on projects that help them
2. FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
3. FEMA's Public/Infrastructure Program
4. FEMA's Human Services programs
5. FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
Could my community be eligible for a Section 404 Hazard Mitigation Grant even if it did
not receive a disaster declaration? - Answer-Yes, under a 1997 FEMA ruling, all
communities in the state that are eligible after the disaster declaration.
What type of work may not need a permit after a flood? - Answer-Cleanup and
temporary emergency repairs
Once you advise an owner that a permit may be necessary, do you need to inspect the
building or can you save time and just wait for a permit application? - Answer-As soon
as possible after the notice is delivered, your office should inspect each flooded
property to review needed repairs and determine if a permit is needed
Who can help you make sure people don't reoccupy damaged buildings before they
have passed an inspection? - Answer-1. Make sure that utility companies won't turn
service back on unless there is an "Approved to Connect" sign posted on the building
2. Instruct police and other departments about the permit requirements and ask them to
report to you any construction projects under way without posted permit signs
3. Get the news media to help spread the word on the requirements and why they are
needed
What are the 3 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's a curve or turn in a river channel.
What's the major cause of coastal flooding? - Answer-Storm surge
,What causes a tsumani? - Answer-Underwater earthquake or volcanoes
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. - Answer-1. Closed
basin
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice Jams
5. Mudflows
What 2 problems result from floodplain development? - Answer-1. Development alters
the floodplain and the dynamics of flooding
2. Building and infrastructures 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. Sediment and contaminants
Standing water as little as _____ feet deep can collapse the walls of a frame house. -
Answer-3
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 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
Prior to the 1960's what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - Answer-
Structural flood control projects
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management's definition of
"floodplain management?" - Answer-A decision-making process that aims to achieve
the wise use of the nation's floodplains
, What are the two primary goals of floodplain management? - Answer-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
What areas are conducive to flash flooding? - Answer-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 jams
Is erosion only a threat in coastal areas? - Answer-No. Riverine erosion can move
through stream channels and undercut structures.
What is "ponding?" - Answer-Where storm water runoff collects in depressions and
cannot drain out
Are plants and animals the only beneficiaries of the "natural and beneficial functions" of
flood plains? - Answer-No. People benefit from floodplains through the food they
provide, the recreational opportunities the afford, and the scientific knowledge gained in
studying them. Floodplains also recharge ground water supplies and their filtering
actions help improve water quality.
What does filling in a floodplain do? - Answer-Filling reduces the floodplain's ability to
store excess water, sending more water downstream, and causing floods to rise to
higher levels.
Does moving sand and sand dunes affect flooding? - Answer-Yes, it may remove a
natural barrier that protects inland properties.
Hydrodynamic forces are caused by _____ water and hydrostatic forces are caused by
_____ water - Answer-Moving, Standing
List 3 materials or household items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage by
soaking. - Answer-1. Wood
2. Gypsum wallboard
3. Furniture and upholstery
4. Carpeting
5. Mattresses
6. Books
7. Electrical appliances
8. Gasoline engines
What are examples of non-structural flood protection measures? - Answer-1.
Regulations to prohibit development in high-hazard areas
2. Building codes requiring flood-resistant construction for new buildings in flood-prone
areas
