In 2019, Resilient America visited select communities in the southeastern region of United States that recently experienced flood-related disasters to advance understanding of what mitigation efforts look like at the local level. Specifically, this project investigated the range of mitigation actions and investments taking place in communities, the challenges communities face mitigating floods, and what communities need that will enable them to make investments in mitigation. Resilient America conducted discussions with diverse stakeholder groups in four different communities about their flood mitigation efforts, successes, and challenges: Biloxi, MS; Ellicott City, MD; Roanoke and Vinton, VA; and Savannah and Tybee Island, GA.

The goal of the project was to better understand flood mitigation at the community level in terms of:

• the risks and impacts of floods on communities;
• the actions communities are taking to mitigate future floods;
• the challenges communities face related to flood mitigation;
• what communities need to enable them to make informed decisions about flood mitigation;
• how communities are funding their flood mitigation activities; and
• community success stories, lessons learned, and best practices.

This project carried out three main activities: community engagement work, a planning meeting, and a flood mitigation workshop.

Examples of stakeholder groups that participated in the discussions:

• local and county government (e.g., elected officials, public works, economic development, floodplain management, engineering, planning and zoning, infrastructure, stormwater management, etc.)
• state and federal government
• nonprofits and community- and faith-based organizations
• academia (e.g., researchers, scientists)
• emergency management and first responders
• natural environment and sustainability groups
• historic preservation societies
• small businesses
• real estate
• insurance agencies

Project Outcomes

Successful Mitigation Efforts: Communities have successfully implemented flood mitigation efforts, including the completion of infrastructure projects (e.g., dune restoration, flood proofing, stormwater and drainage system improvements, levees); the implementation of existing policies and the enforcement of regulations (e.g., flood mitigations plans, building codes, elevations); the formation of cross-jurisdictional and cross-sector partnerships (e.g., mutual aid agreements, formal special interest groups/networks, statewide emergency management training); the communication of flood risk and preparedness (e.g., flood awareness campaigns, early warning systems); and the participation in FEMA flood mitigation programs (e.g., the National Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating System). In these pursuits, communities have learned that including diverse community stakeholders and members in the planning process and having them take an active role in flood preparedness and mitigation have facilitated successful outcomes.

Lessons Learned and Best Practices

• Building and cultivating relationships across the various community sectors (e.g., nonprofits, community organizations, government, private sector, emergency response, academia) is crucial for effective planning, response, and recovery.
• It is important for governments to engage the public in local flood mitigation efforts. Community outreach and public engagement efforts raise public awareness; build trust; promote government transparency; help manage community expectations; and ensure different sectors of the community feel seen, heard, and valued.
• Interdepartmental coordination, public-private partnerships, and regional collaboration are important for advancing flood mitigation efforts.
• Effective risk communication messages and methods are critical for ensuring the public understands the flood risk and what they can do about it.
• Many businesses are not prepared for disasters. Small business owners should create a business continuity plan to ensure they can maintain business operations during a disaster and through recovery.
• Communities should keep accurate documentation and recordkeeping of response and recovery efforts related to their flood disasters, including documentation of an area’s flood history, challenges, impacts, mitigation strategies, lessons learned, and best practices.
• Builders and developers need more incentives to design with flood mitigation in mind.
• Communities should pursue flood mitigation efforts that provide multiple benefits.
• Communities should train and plan for worst-case disaster scenarios to ensure they are prepared for real-life events.
• As public servants, first responders manage disasters and respond to emergency requests. However, community members often forget that first responders are also victims of the disaster they are responding to and have families and property to take care of. First responders should ensure there is a plan for keeping their families safe. And, community members can help first responders by heeding public warnings and evacuation orders.

Common Challenges and Needs Across Communities

• Lack of flood insurance
• Unpredictability of flash flooding
• Mitigating the impacts of flooding for vulnerable communities
• Economic costs of flood mitigation
• Understanding the impact of development on flooding
• Communicating flood risk