DOTHAN, Ala. (WDHN) — Preparing for floods may have just gotten easier across Southeast Alabama.
The National Weather Service today unveiled new flood inundation maps (FIMs) that will portray flood risks across the region and the state.
Officials originally released the products in 2023 to a few select areas across the United States. It will be available to all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico by 2026.
They issued limited experimental products ahead of Hurricane Ian in 2022.
“A picture is worth a thousand words, so if we can put on paper, on a map, where water is going to go, it’s that much more powerful in getting our message across,” says Kelsey Godsey, NWS Tallahassee senior service hydrologist. “A lot of times, folks underestimate the power of water, particularly moving water.”
In front of local emergency managers, the NWS announced the products would be up and running by Oct. 1.
They use historical, current and forecast data to predict what areas along riverlines are at risk for flooding in various rainfall scenarios, something that local leaders welcome.
“If we can show them, visually, the areas most at risk, the people who are most at risk, in these situations, we can work together as local, state and federal officials to save lives,” Godsey says.
They come as the NWS already has text products to discuss hazards, but the maps represent a new innovation in risk communication to people in flood-prone areas.
“This is just going to be able to prepare us if we need to move people out or evacuate them or just let them know that water is coming, it’s up to you if you want to evacuate or not, we’d rather move you now prior to, than after,” says Andy Loge, Coffee County EMA deputy director.
The NWS and officials note limitations, including along areas where multiple rivers intersect.
“The fact that one river can rise before the other river would change the flood hazard that we have in Geneva,” says Brian Smith, Geneva County EMA director.
Other limitations include difficulty in portraying coastal/tidal flooding and the depth of flooding.
Regardless, NWS staff say they continue to make improvements and encourage everyone to remain vigilant.
“Know your risk, know your vulnerability, know what your flood risk is and what you’re gonna do when we’re faced with a heavy rainfall threat,” Godsey says.
More information can be found at the NWS.
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Publish date : 2024-09-18 13:09:00
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