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What is the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project?
The Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project is a joint effort between the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Harris County Flood Control District (District) to gather information about Tropical Storm Allison and to create new flood hazard information for all of Harris County. It will result in the citizens of Harris County having more information about flooding and being better prepared for the next flood. More details about TSARP can be found at www.tsarp.org. The project will ultimately result in new FEMA Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (or DFIRMs) for all of Harris County.

The new DFIRMs are being developed using state-of-the-art technologies and will be released in preliminary form by FEMA in late spring. Flood Hazard Recovery Data representing a "preview" of the new information will be released to the community as they become available prior to the release of the preliminary DFIRMs.

What is Flood Hazard Recovery Data?
Flood Hazard Recovery Data is information that has been gathered and developed through TSARP in support of the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Flood Hazard Recovery Data includes, but is not limited to, LiDAR topographic data for Harris County, 2-foot contour maps for Harris County derived from the LiDAR data, a new survey benchmark control network, hydrologic and hydraulic computer models (and supporting information), channel profiles, and maps of the 1% and 0.2% floodplains (100- and 500-year) and floodways. As completed phases of data become available, it is being released to the public.

Why are you releasing Flood Hazard Recovery Data to the public?
The Harris County Flood Control District and FEMA believe it is very important for the public to be informed about their flood risks. For this reason, Data is being released as phases of the project are completed. The project team hopes the public uses this information to become better educated about their flood risks.

Why are Harris County's Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM's) being revised as part of the TSARP project? Are the existing maps wrong?
The Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Harris County are good representations of where the highest risks of flooding exist. The information has been kept current since its initial development in the early 1980's through updated studies related to flood damage reduction projects and land development projects. However, new technologies related to gathering ground surface information, engineering methods, and computer simulations allow for a more detailed analysis of flooding potential. The TSARP effort also studied about 100 stream miles more than the existing floodplain information. The District and FEMA remain committed to providing current and accurate floodplain information.

Will the Flood Hazard Recovery Data work maps look like the information on the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps?
The floodplain information on the Flood Hazard Recovery Data watershed work maps should be nearly identical to what is presented on the preliminary DFIRMs to be released by FEMA in late spring. However, the Flood Hazard Recovery Data must be considered a "preview" of the FEMA-released products, and the information is subject to change as FEMA performs its final quality control on the mapping process. The final FEMA quality control process may result in some graphical clean-ups and will involve dividing the county into the typical FIRM panels.

Where do I find the Flood Hazard Recovery Data after it is released on March 8th?
Flood Hazard Recovery Data can be found on the internet at www.tsarp.org. You may also call (713)722-7227 to find out more information.

What if I do not have the ability to look up the Flood Hazard Recovery Data on the internet after it is released on March 8th?
In addition to www.tsarp.org, Flood Hazard Recovery Data can be obtained by either visiting a local library that has internet capabilities or by calling (713)722-7227.

Is the Flood Hazard Recovery Data work map a Flood Insurance Rate Map?
No. The Flood Hazard Recovery Data is being made available for informational purposes only. The information cannot be used for flood insurance purposes and is not intended to be used for regulatory purposes. It will be combined with other information to help create the new FEMA preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs), scheduled to be released in late Spring of 2004. Once the preliminary DFIRMs are released, a technical appeal process will begin. FEMA will address all technical appeals before adopting the preliminary DFIRMs. Changes to flood insurance rates and status are only possible once the preliminary DFIRMs have been adopted.

Will my insurance rate change based on the Flood Hazard Recovery Data?
No. The Flood Hazard Recovery Data is not a Flood Insurance Rate Map. Insurance rates will not change due to Flood Hazard Recovery Data, nor will any regulatory changes occur at this time. The Data is being provided for informational purposes only.

Why does the initial release of Flood Hazard Recovery Data not include the entire county?
Flood Hazard Recovery Data is being made available to the public as phases of work are being completed in each watershed. Not all watersheds are being completed at the same time. As a watershed is completed, the information will become available to the public. The project website, www.tsarp.org, will be updated every Monday with Data as it is completed. Over the next few months, Data for all of Harris County will become available.

How do I know what watershed I live in?
An individual can go to the mapping tool at www.tsarp.org and type in their address and it will tell them what watershed they live in. The website will also let the user know if Flood Hazard Recovery Data is currently available for that watershed and provide useful links to information about the watershed they live in.

How do I view the currently effective Flood Insurance Rate Map for my area?
You can view your actual Flood Insurance Rate Map on FEMA's website at www.fema.gov. Follow the links to the Flood Map Store and follow the directions shown. It is also possible to view the current floodplain information at the TSARP web site www.tsarp.org by following the links to the mapping tool , although the mapping will not have the same appearance as a FIRM (that is, it will not be presented as the traditional FEMA map panel).

When will the preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps become available to the public?
Preliminary DFIRMs are expected to be released to the public by FEMA in the late Spring, 2004.

What if I think there is an error in the Flood Hazard Recovery Data?
The Flood Hazard Recovery Data is educational. It is not something that can be appealed. It will be combined with other information to help create the new FEMA preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps, scheduled to be released in late Spring of this year. If you believe you have found an error in this data, you are asked to keep that in mind when you review the preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which can be subject to a technical appeal. This information should be brought to the attention of your local floodplain administrator (your local governing agency, such as the building permit official) at that time.

The Flood Hazard Recovery Data shows that I am now in the floodplain. Should I buy flood insurance now?
You may qualify for better flood insurance rates if your policy is in place before the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps go into effect. Contact your insurance agent or company or contact the National Flood Insurance Program at 1-888-FLOOD29.

The Flood Hazard Recovery Data shows that I am no longer in a floodplain. Am I still going to be required to have flood insurance by my lender?
More than likely. The Flood Hazard Recovery Data work map is not a Flood Insurance Rate Map, nor is it a final product. The Data is being provided for educational purposes only. Certain types of mortgages have mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements based on federal law that require use of the official Flood Insurance Rate Maps. You should contact your lender for further information.

The Flood Hazard Recovery Data shows that I am not in a floodplain. Do I need flood insurance?
The District strongly recommends that everyone consider purchasing flood insurance, whether or not you are in a mapped floodplain. Harris County is an area of higher than normal flood risk due to our flat terrain and tropical climate. The mapped floodplain shows areas that are at a higher risk of flooding from an identified and studied stream. Some areas flood from intense localized rainfall when water flows overland trying to reach a channel, and, of course, extreme storm events can exceed the assumptions on which the mapping is based.

The Flood Hazard Recovery Data shows that a property I'd like to purchase is in the floodplain. What should I do? Should I purchase it?
This is not a decision that we can advise you on. The information is being provided to help people make informed decisions about where they work and live.

How can I find out more about flood insurance and who to purchase it from?
You can contact any insurance agent or company that sells homeowners insurance, you can call 1 888 FLOOD29, or you can visit: www.fema.gov/nfip/answe2d.shtm.

How do the base flood elevations on the Flood Hazard Recovery Data work map compare with the base flood elevations on the current Flood Insurance Rate Maps (or on my Elevation Certificate)?
In general, you cannot directly compare the two elevation values. Ground elevations in the region have changed at different rates due to a phenomenon called subsidence, due mostly from pumping of groundwater from wells. The TSARP study collected all new ground information with a NASA-developed airborne laser system called LiDAR. All new floodplain (base flood) elevations are related to the new definition of the ground surface, accounting for subsidence. This is a fairly complex subject and you can find more information on this topic at the project website, www.tsarp.org.

How can I learn more about TSARP or general information about flooding?
You can learn more about TSARP and the Flood Hazard Recovery Data at the TSARP website - www.tsarp.org, or by calling (713)722-7227. The Harris County Flood Control District website (www.hcfcd.org) also has comprehensive information about the evolution of Harris County's drainage system, the history of flooding, and what is being done about it.

In addition, if a community or civic association desires a presentation regarding TSARP, they can request to schedule one on the project website, www.tsarp.org, or by calling (713) 684-4015.