If time and resources permit, you may want to use computerized loss estimation modeling software to evaluate your flood problem. This software allows you to use local information on building stock and other factors to estimate losses that might occur in various size flood events, thereby providing good information for flood mitigation planning. If you are a community official, you can get a list of your community's repetitive losses from 1978 to the present from your FEMA regional office. Many communities have found this information to be useful because it identifies previously unknown problem areas. Developing mitigation responses to repetitive loss problems may also help your community compete for FEMA funds.
Floods impact more than buildings.
During this phase of the planning process, invite people with other interests, such as recreation, water quality, economic development, and historic preservation, to be involved. Some of them may have already prepared plans or written problem statements. Take a look at the watershed. If so, the runoff into your community will likely increase, and, if not managed, the frequency and height of flooding will increase as well. Set Goals Up to this point, your planning work has been relatively noncontroversial, consisting of talking to agencies and organizations and collecting and recording facts.