Floods

http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/
The Federal Insurance Administration (the Federal Emergency Management Agency department in charge of the National Flood Insurance Program [NFIP]) maintains this NFIP Web site. The NFIP information is intended for both the general public and the many organizations and agencies participating in the program. It includes much information about the NFIP and other flood disaster assistance available from the federal government and access to the newly revised NFIP booklet Answers to Questions about the National Flood Insurance Program.

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a program of the NFIP that provides incentives, in the form of reduced premiums, to communities that undertake various kinds flood mitigation activities in excess of NFIP minimum standards. To support the program, FEMA/NFIP has made many CRS publications and guidelines available online at the second address above.

http://www.usgs.gov/themes/flood.html
The U.S. Geological Survey "Theme Page" on floods provides links to other USGS Web resources on floods, as well as a link to a "Fact Sheet" on this hazard.

http://water.usgs.gov/
http://water.usgs.gov/realtime.html
The U.S. Geological Survey's "Water Resources of the United States" page offers current U.S. water news; extensive current (including real-time) and historical ater data; numerous fact sheets and other publications; various technical resources; descriptions of ongoing Survey water programs; local water information; and connections to other sources of water information. From the USGS real-time streamflow page interested persons can monitor stream levels around the nation and watch as floods evolve.

http://www.floods.org
The Association of State Floodplain Managers is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain management; flood hazard mitigation; the National Flood Insurance Program; and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery. The group has become a respected and influential voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States because it represents flood hazard specialists from across jurisdictions and disciplines. ASFPM supports comprehensive nonstructural and structural management of the nation's floodplains and related water resources, and believes that, through coordinated, well-informed efforts, the public and private sectors can reduce loss of human life and property damage resulting from flooding, preserve the natural and cultural values of floodplains, and avoid actions that exacerbate flooding.

To help reach these goals, ASFPM fosters communication among those responsible for flood hazard activities; provides technical advice to governments and other entities about proposed actions or policies that will affect flood hazards; and encourages flood hazard research, education, and training. The ASFPM Web site includes information on how to become a member, the organization's constitution and bylaws, directories of officers and committees, a publications list, information on upcoming conferences, a history of the association, the publication Mitigation Success Stories in the United States, and other useful information and Internet links.

Reducing Flood Losses: Is the 1% Chance Flood Standard Sufficient? http://www.floods.org/Foundation/Forum.asp
This report of the 2004 Assembly of the Gilbert F. White National Flood Policy Forum addresses the question of the sufficiency of the one percent annual chance flood standard, which is the basis for most flood loss reduction programs today. It summarizes forum discussions about the standard’s applicability in increasingly complex situations, whether today’s science can provide a better approach, and what counterproductive impacts may have ensued during the years of the standard’s implementation. It also provides options for the future and an agenda for action. The report and background issue papers are available free online from the Association of State Floodplain Managers.

http://www.floodplain.org
The Floodplain Management Web site was established by the Floodplain Management Association to serve the entire floodplain management community. It includes sections containing full-text articles, a calendar of upcoming events, a list of positions available, an index of publications available free or at nominal cost, a list of associations, a list of firms and consultants in floodplain management, an index of newsletters dealing with flood issues (with hypertext links if available), a section on the basics of floodplain management, a list of frequently asked questions about the Web site, and, of course, a copious catalog of Web links.

http://www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/flood/home.htm
The North Dakota State University Extension Service offers this thorough Web section entitled Coping with Floods, which covers resources for homeowners and family members and discusses both how to prepare for flooding and steps to take after a flood. It includes detailed information on everything from assessing damaged electrical systems and appliances to dealing with financial concerns.

http://www.louisianafloods.org
The Louisiana State University Agricultural Center's Cooperative Extension Service maintains a Web page with much information about various types of flooding - from hurricane storm surge to flash floods. The site has sections on flood conditions, safety and recovery, emergency protection, and flood damage prevention. It rovides numerous downloadable publications on flood mitigation and floodproofing, including a publication prepared by the Extension Service entitled Beyond the Basics, which covers flood risk and flood protection.

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hic/
The National Weather Service's (NWS) Office of Hydrology and its Hydrological Information Center offer much information on floods and other aquatic disasters. Besides information about the various components of the office, the site provides current and historical data including an archive of past flood summaries, information on current hydrologic conditions, water supply outlooks, as well as an Automated Local Flood Warning Systems Handbook, Natural Disaster Survey Reports, and other scientific publications on hydrology and flooding. The site also provides information and order forms for the office's video on the dangers of Low Water Crossing.

The Hydrological Information Center subsection describes the mission of the center, provides much additional information on flood impacts, and offers extensive flood impact data on deaths and economic losses. Via this site, the center also serves up a regularly updated map showing flood potential across the nation, along with explanatory text. The information does not provide specific forecasts of flood location and severity, but it does identify areas that warrant careful monitoring. The site also provides access to more detailed information on local conditions provided by NWS field offices.

http://www.floodsafety.com
Sponsored by Disaster Ready Austin and the Texas Environmental Center, this Web site is a clearinghouse for a variety of information regarding flood safety and the reduction of flood-related fatalities and property damage.