ALASKA RISK MAP PROGRAM Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Study FEMA and the State of Alaska are conducted a coastal Risk MAP Study in the Ketchikan Gateway Borough that began in 2013. Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Documents Discovery is the first part of the Risk MAP process. During this initial phase, the State, FEMA and local entities work together to collect data regarding local flood and other hazard risks. FEMA has data on national and regional levels, however FEMA relies heavily on information and data provided by communities because local officials are able to provide a holistic view of their communities and their known risks. The State prioritizes a watershed for Discovery based on evaluations of risk, need, availability of elevation data, regional knowledge of issues, and local input. After this data is collected, the study is evaluated on an extensive list of criteria. Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Presentation Ketchikan Gateway Borough Hazard Mitigation Plan Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Interview Meeting Notes Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Agenda Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Presentation Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Meeting Sign-In Sheet Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Discovery Report - March 2014 Risk MAP Study Scope Documents If a flood risk project is appropriate for the watershed and the project involves flood engineering analysis, the project team will conduct additional coordination with the impacted communities to discuss anticipated changes to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS). The Risk MAP Project Team and community officials will review the scope of the projects, requirements for both the communities and the study team, draft schedules, and assign tasks for updates. Prior to work starting on any risk assessment or flood insurance study mapping, a meeting must be held with the community to share the scope of work and explain the deliverables resulting from the Risk MAP project. FEMA will also provide a partnership agreement to the community. This is a non-binding document that outlines roles and responsibilities for the new Risk MAP project. Ketchikan Gateway Borough Draft Study Scope Presentation Ketchikan Gateway Borough Draft Study Scope Ketchikan Gateway Borough Draft Study Scope Map Ketchikan Gateway Borough Partnership Agreement Draft Workmaps Draft Workmaps are an interim or “draft” product that FEMA shares with communities in advance of the release of the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to get early input on the mapping and underlying data. Following the release of the Draft Workmaps, FEMA and the State will schedule a Flood Risk Review (FRR) Meeting with the local jurisdiction (See next drop-down). ArcGIS - Ketchikan Workmap Viewer Flood Risk Review Meeting Documents Following the release of Draft Workmaps, FEMA and the State will hold a Flood Risk Review (FRR) Meeting with the local jurisdiction. The FRR Meeting provides local officials with an opportunity to review and ask questions about the flood study and its results. The meeting allows the project team to highlight the flood risk associated with the study so that local officials can begin communicating that risk to impacted residents and businesses. The FRR Meeting also gives local officials the opportunity to comment on areas where they believe risks are inappropriately mapped (understated or overstated). By identifying concerns early in the map development process, FEMA can avoid delays and costly revisions to the preliminary FIRMs following their release. Ketchikan Flood Risk Review Meeting Presentation Ketchikan Flood Risk Review Meeting Minutes, August 4, 2016 Preliminary Flood Insurance Study and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Database The release of preliminary data is an important step in a community’s flood mapping lifecycle. There are several benefits for the public and professionals in viewing their community’s preliminary data before it becomes an effective FIRM: Allows the public to voice their opinions or concerns regarding how the data may affect them or to question data accuracy Insurance agents can compare existing FIRMs with preliminary FIRMs to see how their clients may be affected. However, policies cannot be written using preliminary data Loan and mortgage brokers can use preliminary data as a guide to determine whether a property may be mapped into a high-risk area, allowing the borrower to be informed of any changes or requirements before finalizing the loan Real estate agents and brokers can determine what changes are likely to occur and how it might affect any properties for sale Engineers, developers and builders can plan for safer construction Ketchikan Gateway Borough Preliminary Flood Insurance Study Ketchikan Gateway Borough Preliminary FIRM Database Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps The release of preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps is an important step in a community’s flood mapping lifecycle. There are several benefits for the public and professionals in viewing their community’s preliminary data before it becomes an effective FIRM: Allows the public to voice their opinions or concerns regarding how the data may affect them or to question data accuracy Insurance agents can compare existing FIRMs with preliminary FIRMs to see how their clients may be affected. However, policies cannot be written using preliminary data Loan and mortgage brokers can use preliminary data as a guide to determine whether a property may be mapped into a high-risk area, allowing the borrower to be informed of any changes or requirements before finalizing the loan Real estate agents and brokers can determine what changes are likely to occur and how it might affect any properties for sale Engineers, developers and builders can plan for safer construction Compressed file of Ketchikan Gateway Borough Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps Map viewer to compare digitized effective floodplains from 1990 (left panel) with preliminary floodplains from 2017(right panel) where DFIRM data is available. Resilience Documents and Workshop Resilience is the final phase of the Risk MAP process when stakeholders of the Risk MAP process reflect on how the new information, tools and products of the Risk MAP study can be used to increase resilience in the community. A Resilience Workshop is an in-person meeting led by FEMA, the State Risk MAP Coordinator and the Risk MAP Project Team. The goal of the meeting is to help communities understand the results of the risk assessment products and to develop resilience-focused strategies using the new data and resources. During this meeting FEMA, State and Local officials engage with the mapping partners to identify the hazard risks through the use of the Risk MAP Products Suite, providing a new perspective and understanding of flood risk within their community. Draft Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk Report, November 2018 Region 10 Resilience Dashboard Region X Service Center Quarterly Reports July 13, 2016 Quarterly Report October 28, 2015 Quarterly Report August 3, 2015 Quarterly Report April 20, 2015 Quarterly Report Study Scope The scope of work of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough Risk MAP Study included (see also the map below): A detailed coastal flood hazard analysis (34 miles with 12 proposed transects of Tongass Narrows/Gulf of Alaska) including the collection of storm surge (coastal hydrology) and overland wave height analysis (coastal hydraulics), as well as floodplain boundaries for 1-percent and 0.2-percent-annual-chance (100- and 500-year) flood events. Updated detailed modeling will be completed for 0.99 miles on Hoadley Creek, 1.2 miles of Ketchikan Creek, and 1 mile on Schoenbar Creek. Redelineation using new LiDAR completed for 0.08 miles of Carlanna Creek. Hydrological study includes: USGS Regional Regression equations used to develop peak flow discharges for riverine flooding sources. Ketchikan Creek using Gage or Mid-Range Analysis Hydraulic study includes one-dimensional steady-state hydraulic models with best available topographic data, field surveyed cross sections and structures. Regulatory Products A Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Report. A FIS is a book that contains information regarding flooding in a community and is developed in conjunction with the FIRM. The FIS, also known as a flood elevation study, frequently contains a narrative of the flood history of a community and discusses the engineering methods used to develop the FIRM. The study also contains flood profiles for studied flooding sources and can be used to determine Base Flood Elevations for some areas. Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for all panels within the Community which identifies the Community's flood zones, base flood elevations, and floodplain boundaries. This map is used to determine where the purchase of flood insurance is required for properties with federally-backed mortgages. All of the above datasets are in the in the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. Non-Regulatory Products A Changes Since Last FIRM Map and Dataset that identifies areas where the Special Flood Hazard Area, floodway, and/or flood zone designations have changed since the previous flood study. Engineering factors that may have contributed to the changes such as data used and level of study performed will also be identified. Estimates of structures affected by the changes will be quantified and summarized to capture increases/decreases in known risk areas and enable local officials to better plan for outreach needs. 1% Annual-Chance Depth Grids for coastal areas and approximate riverine analysis. Depth grids depict the depth of flooding at locations throughout a community and when combined with other information, such as first floor elevations, are invaluable in understanding risk. Areas of Inundation associated with +l, 2, and 3 feet increase to the base flood elevation for coasta l areas to be used for planning purposes to represent sea level rise. Elevation increase values can also be adjusted using local sea level rise data as requested by the community. Risk Report which include narratives on multiple hazards and risk exposure, and explains the risk assessment methodology and results for each community. The risk report will provide loss estimations using Hazus for flood, earthquake, and tsunami hazards. Flood depth grids and USGS ShakeMaps will be incorporated into the Hazus analysis. Local data will be added to Hazus for more accurate results. Other natural hazards will include a summary and an exposure analysis. Flood Risk Database which houses data collect ed, created, and analyzed during the project. This data can be used by the Community to recreate maps, develop reports and other products, and to perform additional analysis. Highlight areas where risk reduction actions may produce the highest return on investment. Technical assistance for HAZUS projects. Areas of Mitigation Interest findings and recommendations based on best available data. Project Status The Letter of Final Base Flood Elevation Determinations (LFD) was issued on October 11, 2023. An LFD is a letter FEMA sends to the Chief Executive Officer of a community initiating the six-month compliance period, stating that a new or updated FIRM and FIS will become effective in six months. In early February 2024, the draft Revalidation Letter was submitted for review. The Revalidation Letter identifies effective Letters of Map Change (LOMC) [i.e., Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs) and Letters of Map Revision-based on Fill (LOMR-Fs)] for properties and/or structures located in the community that will still be valid after the new maps become effective. The Revalidation Letter was approved in mid-February 2024 and issued on April 4, 2024. The Ketchikan Gateway Borough recently updated the Borough floodplain management regulations to be compliant with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and associated state regulations, which were adopted on March 5, 2024. The Borough's FIRMs and FIS became effective on April 11, 2024, six months following the issuance of the LFD. Effective maps are available for download on FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center website (https://msc.fema.gov/portal/advanceSearch). Community officials were sent the Revalidation Letter that lists previously issued LOMCs that have been reaffirmed for the new FIRM. The Revalidation Letter became effective one day after the publication of the community’s new final FIRM. The Revalidation Letter does not list LOMCs that have been incorporated into the revised panel, LOMCs that are superseded by new or revised mapping, or LOMCs that are no longer valid. While the Summary of Map Actions (SOMA) is a preliminary assessment of which LOMCs may still be valid after the new maps are issued, the Revalidation Letter is the final, effective determination of the LOMCs which remain valid. The SOMA and the Revalidation Letter are meant to assist community officials in the maintenance of the community’s FIRM. FEMA has prepared two viewers to aid in the communities’ review of the revised maps as linked below: Preliminary (2017) vs. Revised Preliminary (2020): https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=c9870d6167cc4b1d8d305d2f5b5e1e46 Effective (1990) vs. Revised Preliminary (2020): https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=566088f4e3aa4429a345a7e01cc2715a Project Schedule The following table illustrates project status and includes major milestones with dates: Activity Actual or Projected End Date Discovery Interview June 17, 2013 Discovery Meeting August 7, 2013 Base Map Acquisition February 2, 2014 Discovery Report Summer 2014 Perform Field Survey August 31, 2014 Develop Topographic Data November 30, 2014 Hydrologic Analysis December 31, 2014 Perform Coastal Analysis July 17, 2015 Hydraulic Analysis July 17, 2015 Perform Floodplain Mapping September 2015 Develop DFIRM Database September 25, 2015 Draft Work Maps March 7, 2016 Flood Risk Review Meeting August 4, 2016 Preliminary DFIRM/FIS Release May 5, 2017 Consultation Coordination Officers (CCO) Meeting July 18, 2017 Public Meeting/Workshop January 25, 2018 1st 90-Day Appeal Period Begins February 2, 2018 1st 90-Day Appeal Period Ends May 2, 2018 Draft Multi-Hazard Risk Report November 2018 Comment Resolution Meeting July 24, 2019 Revised Preliminary FIRM/FIS Release August 28, 2020 2nd Consultation Coordinators (CCO) Meeting (Webinar) December 8, 2020 StoryMap Release May 3, 2021 2nd Public Meeting/Workshop November 2, 2024 2nd 90-Day Appeal Period Begins November 16, 2022 2nd 90-Day Appeal Period Ends February 14, 2023 Letter of Final Determination October 11, 2023 Revalidation Letter Distribution April 4, 2024 Maps and FIS become Effective April 11, 2024 Revalidation Letter goes into Effect April 12, 2024 *All projected dates are subject to revision as the project progresses. Map of Ketchikan Study Scope Click on image to open larger map The red line indicates denotes the extent of the Ketchikan Gateway Borough coastal mapping study Ketchikan Discovery (FEMA Region X Workspace) Ketchikan Gateway Borough PIN Website FEMA Region X Risk MAP Newsletters For more information contact: Rebecca Rein State of Alaska Risk MAP Coordinator Division of Community and Regional Affairs Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1650 Anchorage, AK 99501-3569 Phone (907) 269-3037 Fax (907)269-4539 Email: rebecca.rein@alaska.gov