The Army Corps of Engineers and the Flood Risk Challenge

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Army Corps of Engineers and the Flood Risk Challenge"

Wilfrid Henderson
8 years ago
Views:

1 The Army Corps of Engineers and the Flood Risk Challenge Presentation to Association of State Flood Plain Managers Steven L. Stockton, P.E. Director of Civil Works June 12, 2013 US Army Corps of Engineers

2 Flood Risk Has Always Been Part of American History 2

3 Evolution of Approaches to Flood Risk Live with floods Individuals and small communities adapt to nature s rhythm. Use the floodplain Fertile land in floodplain is drained for food production. Permanent communities develop on the floodplain. Control floods Large scale structural approaches are implemented through organized governance. Reduce flood damages A recognition that engineering alone has limitations. Effort to increase the resilience of communities should a flood occur. Manage risk Not all problems are equal. Risk management is an effective and efficient means to maximize the benefit of limited investment. From Sayers et al,

4 Risk Reducing Risk Initial Risk Zoning Local Building Codes Risk Communication State, Local Federal, State, Local Absolute protection from floods is not possible must plan for exceedence (Residual Risk) We cannot rely on single structural approach we must implement a portfolio of measures Evacuation Plans Federal, State, Local, Individual Individual Insurance Federal, State, Local Natural Storage Non-Structural (Floodproofing, Elevation, etc) Federal, State, Local Structural (Levees, Dams, Floodways) Federal, State, Lo Residual Risk Identify risks and make decisions based on relative risk recognizing that not all will get the same protection 4

5 Severe Weather Midwest Mar 2012 Key 2011/2012 Responses FEST Deployments Jan Mar 2011 & OEF/OND Queensland, Australia Flood - Jan 2011 Christchurch, New Zealand Earthquake - Feb 2011 Japan EQ & Tsunami - Mar 2011 Northeast Snow Storm Oct 2011 Derecho Storms JUN-JUL 12 Kootenai River Basin 2012 Kootenai River, 8.96 million acres, 2 countries, 2 states 75% in BC, 21% in MT, 6% in ID Queens Bay at Kooteney Lake Hurricane Irene Aug Drought AL & MS Tornados Apr 2011 Tropical Storm Lee Sep 2011 Joplin, MO Tornado - June 2011 MO River RRCC VII Flood Jun/Jul 2011 MS Floods May 2011 Duluth, MN Flood Corra Linn Dam To the Columbia River Bonners Ferry Libby Dam Souris River Flood Jun/Jul 2011 Koocanusa Reservoir Pakistan Siachen Glacier SME Support April 2012 Joplin, MO (RFO) Fort Crowder Logistics Point 5 Thailand Flood - Nov 2011

6 Hurricane Sandy - by the Numbers National Hurricane Center predicts storm surges up to 15 feet in the NY/NJ metropolitan area USACE aggressively prepositions technical experts, Planning and Response Teams (PRTs) and ESF#3 experts. Incident Support Bases established in PA, MA, NJ, and NY, The USACE North Atlantic (NAD) is declared the Supported Division for USACE Sandy Response activities. Hurricane Sandy makes landfall as a category 1 Hurricane. It causes over 7.2 million power outages, and widespread flooding and destruction of property. Flooding is observed at the NYC Battery, 13.8 feet, and a levee in Moonachie, NJ, is overtopped. Numerous coast line breaches are formed. 6

7 Long-Term Recovery Goals 1. Provide Risk Reduction Strategies Reduce risk to which vulnerable coastal populations are subject. 2. Promote Coastal Resilient Communities Ensure a sustainable and robust coastal landscape system, considering future sea level rise and climate change scenarios, to reduce risk to vulnerable population, property, ecosystems, and infrastructure. * Consistent with USACE - NOAA Infrastructure Systems Rebuilding Principles and Sandy Assessment proposal 7

8 National Disaster Recovery Framework: Recovery Support Functions Housing Infrastructure Systems Recovery Support Function Coordinating Agency: USACE Infrastructure Systems Natural & Cultural Resources Holistic Long-Term Community Recovery Community Planning & Capacity Building Health, Social & Community Services 8 Economic Development USACE Mission: Provide oversight of Federal agencies in conjunction with State, Local, Tribal and private entities throughout the preparedness, response and recovery phases to expedite longterm infrastructure recovery in support of the National Disaster Recovery Framework (NDRF).

9 NDRF Infrastructure systems USACE Lead Housing Intermediate & Long-Term Recovery Supporting recovery of infrastructure systems and associated services Transportation: roads, public transit, transportation hubs (e.g., seaports, airports) Energy: power (generation, transmission, distribution), oil and gas, fuel delivery Telecommunications: cell towers, lines Water: drinking water treatment and sewage Other sectors/systems (e.g., coastal storm damage reduction systems, etc.) Assisting with identification of short-term and long-term housing options Assisting with review of zoning and building codes Economic Health and social services Supporting small businesses and industries damaged or affected by storm in their efforts to rebuild and recover Supporting restoration of economic opportunities that result in sustainable and economically resilient communities Supporting restoration and rebuilding health care systems and facilities Assisting in restoration of social service networks and investing in longer-term case management to promote resilience, health and well-being of affected individuals and communications Natural and cultural resources USACE co-lead Community planning and capacity-building Assisting with restoration and protection of natural resources damaged by the storm Preserving historical and cultural sites (e.g., Statue of Liberty, arts institutions) Building recovery planning and management capabilities within local public sector organizations and communities for this and future disasters Decrease vulnerabilities, increase resilience, contribute to sustainability 9

10 Sandy 29 October 2012 Landfall Response CENAD Sandy Programmatic Schedule 5 June 2013 CY2013 CY2014 CY2015 CY Legislation Enacted 29 January 2013 Interim Report 1 Reports & Studies Interim Report 2 Performance Evaluation Report Comprehensive Report FCCE / 25 FCCE E&D FCCE Construction O&M / 82 O&M Projects Channel Restoration & Structural Repair Construction Authorized but not constructed/ 18 Decision Document Design Construction New Projects/On- Going Studies/ 17 Decision Document Design Construction Decision Document CAP / 11 Design Construction *DRAFT, PRE-DECISIONAL, AND CONFIDENTIAL* 10

11 Infrastructure Systems Rebuilding Anticipate a changing environment Integrate economic, social, and environmental resiliency and sustainability Promote long term community protection Principles 11

12 Principle 1: Work Together to Develop Long-Term Strategies Involve stakeholders in scoping, development, implementation, and monitoring of integrated solutions. Work across the Federal government to promote alignment of agency actions. Leverage partnerships to maximize all appropriate sources of funding, resources, and expertise. Work with State and local partners to sequence and focus rebuilding and restoration. Align and deliver data, tools, and information (e.g., physical, ecological, economic, etc.) in easily accessible formats. Ensure the Federal government provides useful and timely technical assistance and information. Learn from the experience of Superstorm Sandy by conducting assessments of what worked and what did not. Promote public safety. Protect and restore natural resources and functions of the coast. Enhance coastal resilience 12

13 Principle 2: Improve Coastal Resilience Promote integration of natural and built systems. Use adaptive management to encourage flexible decisionmaking. Seek to modify critical infrastructure in response to changing conditions. Advance understanding of a system-based approach and the benefits of the natural environment and its services, including coastal buffering. Support sustainable economic activities and strengthening of existing social institutions. Identify economically-viable solutions that minimize impacts to the natural functions of floodplains and coastal ecosystems. Work together to identify priority actions on a system or subsystem basis. Align investments to ensure that water dependent uses of the coast, particularly ports and related infrastructure, support working waterfronts that are more efficient, safe, secure, resilient, and environmentally sustainable. 13

14 Principle 3: Increase Awareness of Risks and Consequences Improve understanding among decision makers. Encourage risk-informed decisions that consider uncertain changes in the natural and built environments, including the effects of climate change, landuse change, and coastal development. Invest in risk communication efforts, including disclosure of risks that have not or cannot be mitigated in an economically feasible manner. Encourage coordination of, and common approaches to characterization of risks, vulnerabilities, and mitigation strategies. Develop and share user-friendly information and tools for assessing impacts, managing risks, and risk/reward tradeoffs related to different project options. 14

15 US Army Corps of Engineers

Aligning Natural and Built Infrastructure for

Aligning Natural and Built Infrastructure for Houston Climate Resilience National Exercise Program (NEP) Houston Climate Change Preparedness & Resilience Workshop Edmond J. Russo, Jr., PhD, PE, D.CE, D.NE,