Certified Floodplain Manager
What is "Basic rule #1" for using maps and data? - answerYou must use the latest maps
and flood data published by FEMA
What is basic rule #2 on what needs a permit in the floodplain? - answerA permit is
required for all development in the SFHA.
What is Basic Rule #3? - answerDevelopment 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? - answerHe 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? - answerNew,
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? - answerThere 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? - answerIf 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? - answerSubstantial
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? - answerRiverine, coastal, shallow
,Which type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-related deaths in recent
history? - answerFlash flooding
What is a "meander"? - answerIt is a curve or turn in a river channel
What is the major cause of coastal flooding? - answerStorm surge
What causes a tsunami? - answerUnderwater earthquakes or volcanoes
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. Does your community
have any of these? - answer1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
What two problems result from floodplain development? - answer1. 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? - answerThe 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? - answerIt can accelerate erosion on properties at the end of the
wall.
What are the five main causes of flood damage? - answer1. 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. -
answer3 feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? - answer1.
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
,Prior to the 1960s what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - answerStructural
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? - answer1. 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 conductive to flash flooding? - answer1. Hilly area with steep slopes
and narrow valleys
2. Urban areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces and storm sewers
3. Area downstream of dams or subject to ice jams
Is erosion only a threat in coastal areas? - answerNo. Riverine erosion can move
stream channels and undercut structures.
What is ponding? - answerWhere stormwater runoff collects in depressions and cannot
drain out.
Are plants and animals the only beneficiaries of the "natural and beneficial functions" of
floodplains? - answerNo. People benefit from floodplains through the food they provide,
the recreational opportunities they afford, and the scientific knowledge gained in
studying them. Floodplains also recharge groundwater supplies and their filtering
actions help improve water quality.
What does filling in a floodplain do? - answerFilling 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? - answerYes, it may remove a
natural barrier that protects inland properties.
1. Hydrodynamic forces are caused by _______ water and hydrostatic forces are
caused by _______ water. - answerMoving, standing
List three materials or household items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage
by soaking. - answer1. 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? - answer1. 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. Installing flood warning systems.
5. Controlling stormwater runoff.
6. Providing self-help advice to property owners.
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management's four main floodplain
management strategies? - answer1. Modify human susceptibility to flood damage
2. Modify the impact of flooding
3. Modify flooding itself
4. Preserve and restore natural resources
What are the objectives of the NFIP? - answerThe National Flood Insurance Act created
the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to:
1. Transfer the costs of private property flood losses from the taxpayers to floodplain
property owners through flood insurance premiums.
2. Provide floodplain 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.
What are the three basic parts of the NFIP? - answer1. Communities, states, and
Federal agencies use them as the basis for regulating new flood prone construction
2. Insurance agents use them 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 or financial assistance
What should happen to buildings in NFIP communities over time? - answerOver 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
building's subject to little or no flood damage.
What types of governmental bodies are "communities" by the NFIP? - answerThese
governmental bodies vary from state to state, but can include cities, towns, villages,
townships, counties, parishes, special districts, states, and Indian Nations with the
statutory authority to enact and enforce regulations.
Which FEMA office works directly with communities? - answerThe ten Regional Offices
What is "Basic rule #1" for using maps and data? - answerYou must use the latest maps
and flood data published by FEMA
What is basic rule #2 on what needs a permit in the floodplain? - answerA permit is
required for all development in the SFHA.
What is Basic Rule #3? - answerDevelopment 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? - answerHe 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? - answerNew,
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? - answerThere 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? - answerIf 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? - answerSubstantial
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? - answerRiverine, coastal, shallow
,Which type of flooding has accounted for the most flood-related deaths in recent
history? - answerFlash flooding
What is a "meander"? - answerIt is a curve or turn in a river channel
What is the major cause of coastal flooding? - answerStorm surge
What causes a tsunami? - answerUnderwater earthquakes or volcanoes
List the five types of special flood hazards covered in this course. Does your community
have any of these? - answer1. Closed basin lakes
2. Uncertain flow paths
3. Dam breaks
4. Ice jams
5. Mudflows
What two problems result from floodplain development? - answer1. 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? - answerThe 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? - answerIt can accelerate erosion on properties at the end of the
wall.
What are the five main causes of flood damage? - answer1. 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. -
answer3 feet
What are some of the safety and health hazards that accompany floods? - answer1.
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
,Prior to the 1960s what was the primary way to reduce flood losses? - answerStructural
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? - answer1. 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 conductive to flash flooding? - answer1. Hilly area with steep slopes
and narrow valleys
2. Urban areas with large amounts of impervious surfaces and storm sewers
3. Area downstream of dams or subject to ice jams
Is erosion only a threat in coastal areas? - answerNo. Riverine erosion can move
stream channels and undercut structures.
What is ponding? - answerWhere stormwater runoff collects in depressions and cannot
drain out.
Are plants and animals the only beneficiaries of the "natural and beneficial functions" of
floodplains? - answerNo. People benefit from floodplains through the food they provide,
the recreational opportunities they afford, and the scientific knowledge gained in
studying them. Floodplains also recharge groundwater supplies and their filtering
actions help improve water quality.
What does filling in a floodplain do? - answerFilling 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? - answerYes, it may remove a
natural barrier that protects inland properties.
1. Hydrodynamic forces are caused by _______ water and hydrostatic forces are
caused by _______ water. - answerMoving, standing
List three materials or household items that are particularly susceptible to flood damage
by soaking. - answer1. 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? - answer1. 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. Installing flood warning systems.
5. Controlling stormwater runoff.
6. Providing self-help advice to property owners.
What is the Unified National Program for Floodplain Management's four main floodplain
management strategies? - answer1. Modify human susceptibility to flood damage
2. Modify the impact of flooding
3. Modify flooding itself
4. Preserve and restore natural resources
What are the objectives of the NFIP? - answerThe National Flood Insurance Act created
the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to:
1. Transfer the costs of private property flood losses from the taxpayers to floodplain
property owners through flood insurance premiums.
2. Provide floodplain 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.
What are the three basic parts of the NFIP? - answer1. Communities, states, and
Federal agencies use them as the basis for regulating new flood prone construction
2. Insurance agents use them 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 or financial assistance
What should happen to buildings in NFIP communities over time? - answerOver 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
building's subject to little or no flood damage.
What types of governmental bodies are "communities" by the NFIP? - answerThese
governmental bodies vary from state to state, but can include cities, towns, villages,
townships, counties, parishes, special districts, states, and Indian Nations with the
statutory authority to enact and enforce regulations.
Which FEMA office works directly with communities? - answerThe ten Regional Offices
