The article discusses how FEMA’s flood maps can often overestimate flood risks, as illustrated by Lamer’s experiences with clients questioning their risk despite being significantly elevated above river levels. It highlights a study by Syracuse Professor Prall and researcher Devin Lee, which found that over five years, more than 20,000 buildings were remapped outside special flood hazard zones in the U.S., yet 700,000 remained in those zones. Most map revisions were approved, indicating a success rate above 92%.
The article emphasizes that FEMA lacks the resources to verify flood risks accurately, leading to discrepancies when new data and climate models are considered. Companies like First Street are developing tools that provide more accurate flood risk assessments by incorporating global climate models, revealing that many buildings actually fall within the 100-year flood plain, contrary to FEMA maps.
Furthermore, the article mentions a recent flood event seen as unprecedented and discusses how effective flood mapping needs to combine ground-level data, rainfall forecasts, and future climate risks. Texas is initiating a FEMA-funded program called base-level engineering to fill historic data gaps with high-resolution mapping, aiming to improve flood risk assessments without replacing current FEMA maps.
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