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Colors used on a flood map designate areas of different risk.
The first article of this series discussed some less than user-friendly aspects of using FEMA’s online flood insurance risk maps (FIRMs). FEMA also offers a web-based map viewer that generates maps more quickly (they are not drawn on aerial photographs) and includes a legend in the final document. But a general audience is likely to find the map data and explanations overly technical. Fortunately, other options are available.
In Missouri, flood data are found in the online Map Room of the Center for Applied Research and Environmental Systems (CARES) at the University of Missouri – Columbia. You begin by choosing your county, then selecting various data layers (information) you want to include. Flood risk maps are listed in the “Water Resources” submenu under “Floodplain.” Choose the “FEMA 100/500 year floodplain” option.
Kansas has no state-wide GIS map of flood risk yet, but both Johnson and Leavenworth Counties do. Johnson County’s program is called the Automated Interactive Mapping System (AIMS). The layers menu is on the left-hand side and “Flood Hazard” is found in the “Other layers” submenu. Flood maps are found on the Leavenworth County GIS site by opening the layers tab on the right-hand menu, followed by the “Flood/Hydrology” submenu, then selecting “Flood Zones.”
Other local governments have yet to make flood maps available online, but that situation is likely to be remedied eventually. Clay County is in the process of developing an online flood map. The City of Kansas City, Missouri’s GIS map includes a floodplain option (found in the “Environmental” layer submenu), but is not currently active.
The CARES, AIMS and Leavenworth County sites present their data in a more user-friendly way than does FEMA (although there will be a learning curve). Technical data are kept to a minimum and the map legends are easier to understand.
Next in the series: Now that you have a map showing your flood risk, what exactly does it mean?
More Info: What is GIS? UMKC graduate certificate program in GIS
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