# Presentation: 370845

## Improving Flash Flood Warning Services and Public Flood Awareness through Local Hydrologic Warning Partnerships

- Kevin G. Stewart, P.E.
- President, National Hydrologic Warning Council
- &
- Manager, Information Services and Flood Warning ProgramUrban Drainage and Flood Control DistrictDenver, Colorado

- Third National Hydrologic Program Managers Conference
- 10-13 July 2007, Kansas City, MO

## Big Thompson Canyon Flash Flood

- July 31, 1976

*Colorado’s Wake-Up Call*

- The Beginning

## The Dilemma

**19-foot flood depth**

- Big Thompson River
- at Canyon Mouth

## The Impact

- 144 people killed including two law enforcement officers; 250 injured
- $35 million in damages (1977 dollars)
- 418 homes and businesses destroyed as well as many mobile homes
- 438 automobiles destroyed
- Many bridges, roads, public utilities, and other structures damaged

## The ConcernBoulder, Colorado

- Colorado’s No. 1 flash flood risk

## Urban Drainage and Flood Control DistrictLocal Flood Warning Program

- Serving the Denver/Boulder metropolitan area since1979 in partnership with local governments and theNational Weather Service

- The Response

## Defining the Threat

## Early Flood Detection & Evaluation

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- Making the initial investment

## Boulder Creek Flood Detection Network

## Flood Detection NetworkExpansion

- 176 ALERT Stations
- 153 Rain Gages
-   87 Stream Gages
-   18 Weather Stations
-     7 Repeaters
-     7 Base Stations

## Widely Available Real-Time Information 

- Widely Available Real-Time Information

## UDFCD Flood Prediction Center

**Radar & Satellite****Data Displays**

**GIS and Forecast**
**Products**

**ALERT****Base Stations**

- Staffed by private meteorologist when flood potentials exist

## Empowering decision makers with timely trustworthy information

## Basin-Specific Flood Warning Plans

- The drainage basin
- descriptions, facilities, hydrology, flood history, problem areas, flood routing/timing
- Decision aids
- ALERT system, flash flood guidance, inundation areas
- Communications
- Meteorological support
- National Weather Service
- Private Meteorologist
- Flood threat recognition and warning process
- Procedures and general responsibilities
- Public dissemination
- Media contacts
- Annual revisions and practices

## GIS Partnering

- GIS with real-time data interface aids with threat evaluation and provides for more effective communications.

## Flood Depth/Inundation Mapping 

- GIS mapping  integrated with real-time hydrologic model.

## A Popular Interface

## A Popular Interface

## A Popular Interface

## A Popular Interface

## A Popular Interface

## A Popular Interface

## Bringing key people together

## Attracting & MaintainingPublic Interest

- The toughest challenge

## Annual Flood Hazard Notice

- 24,000 recipients
- Hazard-specific brochures

- Always generates a few inquires but actual effectiveness is unknown.

## Partnering to Encourage Self-Help

- What to do...
- Before
- During
- After

- Develop a familyemergency plan

- Buy flood insurance

- Floodproofing ideas

## Multi-media websites may help improve public flood awareness

- _[http://](http://floodsafety.com/colorado/)__[floodsafety.com/colorado](http://floodsafety.com/colorado/)__[/](http://floodsafety.com/colorado/)_

## create opportunities to maintain interest in local flood warning programs that may be short-lived.

**Hurricane Katrina Storm Surge**

- Hurricane Katrina caused concern for many communities.
- Communities take steps to prepare for their “worst case” flood scenario.

- Tragic Reminders

## Summary

## LFWS Sustainability

- Attend and host regular meetings
- Assist with developing and maintaining basin-specific flood warning plans* *
- Help plan and conduct annual flash flood drills/exercises
- Provide _daily_ precipitation forecasts
- Directly notify jurisdictions of potential and imminent flash flood threats and encourage 2-way information exchange
- Install, operate and maintain real-time weather/flood monitoring networks and train users often
- Make effective use of text messaging, email, paging, Internet, and fax communications (e.g. auto-alarm notifications, short message formats, etc.)
- Make real-time data widely available

- Maintain interest & support by building relationships

## Information Sharing & Strategic Alliances 

- User Groups
- Federal, State and Local Agencies
- Educational Institutions
- Affiliated Organizations
- International Interests

## Mission Statement

- The mission of the National Hydrologic Warning Council is to promote the acquisition, dissemination and utilization of hydrologic and meteorological data in real-time for the protection of lives, property, infrastructure and resources, and to support the subsequent uses of the data to improve knowledge and management of the environment.

- June 11-14, 2007

## You make the difference!