Lessons from NAFSMA: How Communities Are Transforming Flood Risk Communication

At the end of January, Forerunner attended the National Association of Flood and Stormwater Management Association’s (NAFSMA) Floodplain Management and Mapping Committee Meeting. The meeting was full of productive discussions and presentations that showcased innovative floodplain management projects and initiatives developed by communities nationwide to better communicate flood risk to their residents.

King County, WA: Fostering Effective Flood Risk Communication, Awareness, and Prosperity 

A highlight of the meeting was learning about King County, WA’s efforts to inform its residents of flood risk. The King County Flood Control District is developing a Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan to guide the development of the region. The plan addresses approximately 21 miles of the Lower Green River, encompassing areas within the cities of Auburn, Kent, Renton, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County. Its primary goals are to provide a long-term solution to flood risk reduction, support Tribal interests, improve fish habitats, and bolster the region's economic prosperity. To inform the plan, a Programmatic Environment Impact Statement (PEIS) was prepared and it takes a comprehensive approach to analyzing the impacts, benefits, and costs of planning-level decisions that affect a large area. In recognition of its communication efforts, the King County Flood Control District received NAFSMA’s Excellence in Communications Award. This award highlights the County’s commitment to engaging and informing the public about its flood hazard management initiatives. It was inspiring to hear about King County’s efforts and its commitment to educating all residents on their flood risk.

Forerunner’s Guide to Creating Engaging Public Flood Risk Communications

Forerunner assists communities in enhancing public flood-risk education and communications by increasing the accessibility, engagement, and actionability of information. At the annual meeting, Forerunner’s Director of Customer Success, Liz Russell, CFM presented a checklist that shared examples of how some of Forerunner’s partner communities are engaging and educating their residents on flood risk. 

Our partner communities have utilized their Forerunner-provided public website and other tools to ensure that flood risk information reaches residents in meaningful ways. Our partner communities have leveraged social media, newsletters, physical signage, and in-person events to share critical information. Some notable examples include:

• Fernandina Beach, FL, operates a TV channel to educate residents on local risks and available resources. 
• Covington, LA, collaborates with realtors and community organizations to spread awareness about flood risk tools and further amplify outreach efforts. 
• Calvert County, MD, creates opportunities for two-way communication with residents by utilizing Forerunner public website’s Get Help feature, which allows residents to easily ask floodplain-related questions to municipal leaders.
• Key West, FL, utilizes mobile-friendly tools like QR codes in mailers and press releases to streamline access to information and enable residents to quickly access flood maps on their phones.
• St. James Parish, LA, engages children in flood education by utilizing Floody the Alligator, a beloved mascot, to teach students about flood preparedness and foster household-wide awareness. 
• Escambia County, FL, consolidates information into a well-organized, user-friendly platform that enhances accessibility and simplifies decision-making for residents by integrating zoning, hazard, noise, and district maps into their Forerunner public website. 

By adopting similar strategies, communities can effectively educate and empower residents to navigate flood risks. Forerunner continues to support communities in enhancing their flood communication efforts by offering intuitive, resident-friendly tools that align with best practices in risk awareness and engagement.

If you'd like to learn more about how Forerunner can help your community, request a demo or reach out to us at hello@withforerunner.com.