Flood Risk Management
The most effective way of reducing the risk to people and property is through the production of flood risk maps. Most countries in the developed world will have produced maps which show areas prone to flooding events of known return periods. In the UK, the Environment Agency has produced maps which show areas at risk, the map below shows a flood map for the City of York. The dark blue area is the flood plain for a 1 in 100 year flood, whilst the light blue area shows the predicted flood plain for a 1 in 1000 year flood. Engineers will use this map to identify low lying areas which need flood defences, and these are shown purple.
By identified areas of known flood risk, the most sustainable way of reducing risk is to prevent further development in those known flood risk areas. It is important for at-risk communities to develop a comprehensive Floodplain Management plan. Those communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program must agree to regulate development in the most flood prone areas. Communities should assign a floodplain administrator to oversee the management of the floodplain development permit process.
Main contribution from Isle of Wight Centre for the Coastal Environment
Read more about this topic: Flood Mitigation
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