Certified Floodplain Manager Prep

Riverine flooding is caused by overflowing rivers or streams, while shallow flooding occurs when water accumulates on flat or low-lying areas. Coastal flooding is caused by high tides or storms, flash flooding occurs suddenly due to heavy rainfall, and urban flooding is caused by poor drainage systems in urban areas.

Coastal flooding, riverine flooding, and shallow flooding are indeed three common types of flooding, while flash flooding, urban flooding, and dam overtopping are also significant but not as commonly observed.

Flash flooding is particularly dangerous due to its rapid onset and powerful force, often catching people off guard and leading to a higher number of flood-related deaths.

Floodplain development can have detrimental effects by altering natural floodplain dynamics and increasing the vulnerability of buildings and infrastructure to damage during flooding events.

Watershed development typically involves urbanization that leads to more impervious surfaces like pavement and buildings, which in turn increases runoff and flood levels.

Seawalls can have unintended consequences such as accelerating erosion on neighboring properties due to changes in water flow and sediment transport patterns.

The main causes of flood damage are related to water and debris impact, along with sediment and contaminants that come with the floodwaters.

The correct answer is Three (3) feet. Standing water can exert significant pressure on the walls of a frame house, leading to structural issues and potential collapse. A depth of three feet is considered dangerous for a frame house's stability.

Floods can lead to various safety and health hazards such as disruptions in public services, electrocution, contamination of water supply, fire, mold, mildew, bacteria growth, and contaminated air. Increased sunshine exposure, decreased humidity levels, reduced risk of diseases, and enhanced air quality are not hazards typically associated with floods.

Prior to the 1960s, structural flood control projects like dams, levees, and reservoirs were the main approach to reducing flood losses by controlling water flow and managing floodwaters.

Floodplain management aims to mitigate the negative impacts of floods while also maintaining the ecological functions of floodplains, hence the correct answer focuses on reducing harm and preserving natural resources.

Erosion can occur in various environments, including riverine areas inland. It is not limited to coastal regions.

Filling in a floodplain reduces its natural ability to absorb excess water, leading to increased flooding downstream. It does not decrease the risk of flooding, has a negative impact on water storage, and does not prevent erosion.

The correct floodplain management strategies focus on reducing human vulnerability to floods, minimizing the impacts of flooding, altering the flooding patterns themselves, and preserving/restoring the natural environment for better flood management.

The NFIP aims to shift the financial burden of flood losses from taxpayers to property owners, promote responsible development practices, and provide aid specifically for smaller floods that do not qualify for federal disaster assistance.

The correct answer consists of the three basic parts of the NFIP, which are Mapping, Insurance, and Regulations. The incorrect answers provide alternative components that do not accurately represent the core aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program.

NIFP maps are primarily used to regulate construction, assign insurance ratings, and determine when flood insurance must be purchased, making the correct answer focused on the regulatory and insurance aspects.

The correct answer explains the importance of reducing flood damage exposure in the NIFP over time by replacing older buildings with newer, post-FIRM buildings designed to withstand floods more effectively.

The NFIP considers cities, towns, villages, townships, counties, parishes, special districts, states, and Indian Nations as 'communities' for the purposes of their programs.

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is funded primarily through premium income collected from policyholders. It has been self-supporting since 1986, meaning it does not rely on government grants, subsidies, or donations from private organizations to pay for its expenses. Additionally, investment returns from the NFIP's assets do not play a significant role in covering its costs.

Community regulations play a crucial role in determining the flood risk of buildings, affecting insurance rates. Buildings built in compliance with these regulations are often better-equipped to handle flooding, leading to lower insurance rates.

Flood studies are conducted by FEMA to determine which areas are susceptible to flooding and at risk of experiencing flood-related damages. The correct answers of 'Floodprone areas' and 'Flood risk areas' reflect this purpose accurately, while the incorrect answers do not align with the specific objectives outlined in the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.

A base flood, also known as a 100-year flood, is a flood that has a one percent chance of occurring in any year. It is a crucial concept in floodplain management and disaster preparedness.

The 100-year flood plain on NFIP maps is officially referred to as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This designation indicates areas with a high risk of flooding.

The components of a Flood Insurance Study include the FIS, the FIRM, and the Flood Boundary and Floodway Map.

Hydrology focuses specifically on the movement and distribution of water within the environment, while hydraulics deals with the behavior of fluids in motion through channels. Meteorology, geology, and biology are distinct fields of study and do not directly relate to the distribution and circulation of water or the study of fluids in motion through a channel.

Urbanization typically leads to more impervious surfaces, such as roads and buildings, which can result in increased surface runoff entering streams, thus increasing stream discharge.

When a bridge is constructed over a stream, it can impact the flood water levels upstream due to obstruction to stream flow, requiring hydraulic analysis to assess the consequences.

A storm surge is primarily caused by storms with air pressure changes and strong winds that push water towards the shore, resulting in a rise in sea level and potential flooding.