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Floods

Mitigation, Preparedness, Response, Recovery

As we look ahead to the next flooding season, we must remain vigilant about the threat that flooding poses to communities nationwide. When floods overwhelm defenses, the devastation can be immense – homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure damaged or destroyed; economies disrupted; livelihoods ruined; emotional and physical health impacted. Climate change may further intensify rainfall and storms, bringing more frequent and extreme flooding. All communities are vulnerable in some way. Those with fewer resources suffer disproportionately. But preparation and mitigation can reduce risks and pave the way to recovery.

By working cooperatively now on protective infrastructure, assistance funds, response coordination, restoration projects, and continuity planning, we can build resilience against flood loss and distress. Staying attuned to flood dangers will help safeguard our collective well-being now and in the future. With vigilance and compassionate action, we can weather coming storms.

If you need assistance Call today to partner with the emergency management and rebuilding experts at ISC – our evidence-based flood solutions allow rapid rebounding. With us, communities can face these threats confidently.

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    Can Our Community Effectively Respond to a Damaging Flood?

    Flooding poses a serious threat to communities across the nation year after year. When floodwaters overwhelm defenses, the effects can be utterly devastating – homes, businesses, and infrastructure critically damaged or ruined; local economies brought to a standstill; livelihoods lost; health and wellbeing impacted. Climate change threatens to make matters worse by intensifying heavy rainfall and storms, leading to more frequent and extreme flooding. No community is immune from potential harm. Those with the fewest resources often bear the heaviest burden, as they struggle to recover. But with vigilance and compassionate action, we can mitigate dangers and build resilience in the face of this threat.

    By working cooperatively now on protective infrastructure upgrades, assistance funds for vulnerable groups, coordinated emergency response plans, floodplain and wetland restoration projects, and continuity planning for schools and healthcare facilities, communities can greatly reduce their flood risk and pave the way for more rapid recovery. Public education campaigns focused on flood preparedness and insurance options also play a vital role. As flooding may only worsen with climate change in the coming years, we must remain attuned to the threat and left no community behind to face future storms and floods alone. With shared vigilance, resources and responsible development policies, we can weather the tide and build safer, stronger and more climate-resilient communities for all.

    Our Capabilities

    Response Services

    Recovery Services

    Mitigation Services

    PREPAREDNESS SERVICES

    Disaster Software Solutions

    Flood Toolkits

    Resources to help you prepare, respond, and recover!

    Contracting Made Easy – Emergency Contract Vehicles

    Following a declared state of emergency, the Federal Government allows local and state government to bypass their standard procurement policies and implement emergency procurement procedures. In times of emergency, understanding these unique contract vehicles can be essential in saving time, money, and resources. ISC has expertise working with these unique contract vehicles, which allow us to guide our clients on how to navigate the contracting process easily and expeditiously.

    Contracting with ISC is easy, and a number of pre-established contract vehicles can be utilized to facilitate the procurement process

    Our Experience

    2017 CALIFORNIA FLOODS…

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    2017 CALIFORNIA FLOODS – IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NEW FEMA PA PROGRAM DELIVERY MODEL

    In early 2017, Severe flooding throughout California and portions of Nevada resulted in three disaster declarations covering 56 counties throughout California. Northern California experienced it wettest winter in almost a century causing extensive flooding and an estimated $1.5 billion in damages. Several dams overflowed and many others throughout North California were forced to open their emergency spillway, inundating properties downstream. The flooding occurred at the end of one of California’s longest droughts, making conditions unstable, resulting in mudslides and slope failures.

    FEMA Region IX, in conjunction with FEMA Headquarters and the State of California, agreed to implement the PA Program Delivery Model. In this new capacity, Team ISC served as PACs and technical specialists to conduct damage assessments, develop and validate repairs and cost estimates, determine eligibility, and coordinate with assigned Recipients/Sub-Recipients throughout the PA grant delivery process for CA declarations. The PAC facilitates and coordinates the effective, efficient, and accurate delivery of grant funding while coordinating the Sub-Recipients’ recovery priorities, understanding their capabilities and capacity to develop projects and participates in validation of damages through site inspections and working with Sub-Recipient on project formulation. Team ISC prepared over $110 million in eligible federal disaster assistance funds through the FEMA PA Program. The following are some of the PAC responsibilities:

    1. Receive assignment of Sub-Recipients

    2. Calls to Sub-Recipient to gather initial damage information and gather information on Sub-Recipient capabilities, discusses the requirements for the list of disaster damages, and schedules meeting with the Sub-Recipient

    3. Meets with Sub-Recipient

    4. Begins process of validating damages through scheduling of site inspections

    5. Requesting information from the Sub-Recipient to support their damage claims

    6. Formulating projects (i.e. discuss with the Sub-Recipient logical groupings of work into projects).

    7. Review Damage Descriptions and Dimensions (DDD), scopes of work (SOWs), and costs.

    8. Ensure that all damages identified by the Sub-Recipient are addressed.

    9. Prepare for and conduct exit briefing

    TEXAS FLOODS

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    An ISC team of FEMA PA disaster recovery technical specialists were deployed to Texas in response to three federally declared disasters for severe storms, tornadoes and flooding (DR-4266, DR-4269, DR-4272). ISC technical specialists worked closely with the Texas Division of Emergency Management and FEMA to ensure the new FEMA PAAP delivery model was properly implemented. ISC conducted site inspections, identified damages, validated scopes of work and costs, and identified mitigation measures, if applicable.

    In all, Team ISC recovered over $96.8 million in eligible FEMA Public Assistance funding for all Categories of work. Some of the larger projects include:

    • Approximately $2.9 million in grants to repair non FHWA roads and bridges back to pre-disaster condition.
    • Identified over $13 million in damage to the Deweyville Independent School District (DISD) caused by rising waters from the Sabine River flooing the Elementary School complex for a period of 7 days, inundating the facilities to depths of six inches to over five feet, damaging and/or destroying the contents of the elementary school.
    • Identified and prepared over $1.3 million in emergency work and over $2.5 million in permanent work to the City of Cisco potable water treatment plant located below Williamson Dam.

    Team ISC staff received praise from the client for their work ethic, professional demeanor, and ability to deliver collaborative solutions to challenging disaster recovery issues.

    OHIO FLOODING AND TORNADOS

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    Following an active spring flooding season, several tornadoes touch down in highly populated areas of Dayton and other Ohio communities in late May of 2019. Flooding caused road and/or embankment failures throughout much of the State due to hilly terrain with soft soil composition, totaling approximately $11 million in PA funding. Tornadoes caused catastrophic damage throughout Dayton and surrounding Cities, devastating dozens of buildings, homes and parks. Team ISC technical specialists were deployed in June 2019 to document damages, develop scopes of work and prepare cost estimates for the flood and tornado affected Counties.

    LOUISIANA SEVERE STORMS…

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    LOUISIANA SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOS, FLOODING AND HURRICANE BARRY

    Following the 2019 severe storms, tornadoes, flooding and Hurricane Barry, Team ISC deployed technical specialists to provide guidance to FEMA management on recovery and mitigation power and electrical projects. Hurricane Barry inundated streets and businesses over a six-hour period on the morning of July 10, 2019. Portions of the French Quarter were flooded, and public transportation was disrupted. The impacts were exacerbated by an elevated Mississippi River and knocked down power lines causing widespread power outages. Hurricane Barry caused approximately $900 million in public and private property damage throughout the state of Louisiana.

    Odysseus™ Enterprise Cloud-Based Emergency And Disaster Recovery Program Management Software

    A program management software tool, A best-fit technology solutions for organizations and consulting companies.

    The industry’s most powerful and intuitive comprehensive emergency program management and planning system. A complete platform of independent but integrated web-based tools designed to alleviate the burden on planning and preparedness professionals, OES means you can more effectively manage the comprehensive cycle of preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.