Following is a list of some agencies, organizations, and programs that provide information on flooding, erosion, and other coastal hazards. Much of it is written for a general audience and can be used to help municipal officials, residents, and visitors better understand their risks.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

FEMA has many materials designed to help prepare the general public for hazard events. Though some pages may be dated or less applicable for Alabama residents, it is a good starting point for seeking general hazard information.

Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)

ASFPM is an organization of professionals involved in floodplain management, flood hazard mitigation, the National Flood Insurance Program, and flood preparedness, warning, and recovery. ASFPM has become a respected voice in floodplain management practice and policy in the United States because it represents the flood hazard specialists of local, state, and federal government; the research community; the insurance industry; and the fields of engineering, hydrologic forecasting, emergency response, water resources, and others. Their expansive Coastal No Adverse Impact Handbook contains a great deal of useful information. Find it, and many other materials covering political, legal, and technical challenges of floodplain management on the ASFPM website.

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH)

The Federal Alliance for Safe Homes – FLASH, Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. Their extensive site covers much more than coastal weather and climate hazards, but does include relevant sections on floods, hurricanes, and tsunamis.

Institute for Business Home Safety

The Institute for Business Home Safety is an organization of insurers working to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other property losses by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance, and preparation practices. Their website has a number of useful outreach resources.

  • The FORTIFIED Home program provides specific information on ways that builders and contractors can build safer buildings and improve their market position.
  • Their Open for Business program aims to help businesses plan and prepare for natural disasters.

Smart Home America

The Smart Home America website has information about wind and flood mitigation, resilience, and insurance for homeowners, builders, insurers, realtors, and local and state governments. They are a not for profit organization which promotes stronger building methods, improved building codes, and policies that create resilient communities.

Other Organizations with Outreach and Education Resources

Many other government and non-government organizations have educational material on habitat restoration and coastal hazards, including:

Selected Outreach Materials from Other Organizations

Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training educates professional audiences and coastal communities across each of the five Gulf States using shared information and technology. From coastal community resilience to habitat conservation, topics covered in Gulf of Mexico Coastal Training workshops address priority issues and promote activities that improve the health of the Gulf of Mexico. Check out their site here.

Alabama
Florida
  • The Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM) is a great starting point for outreach materials on many aspects of emergency management in the state, including coastal flooding and other hazards. The DEM homepage has links for the general public, families, businesses, homeowners, and even kids. Also see their Citizen Corps and Community Emergency Response Team program page.
  • The Florida Sea Grant Program has educational materials covering a broad spectrum of coastal issues (including many applicable to coastal hazards) that target general citizens, coastal decision makers, educators, and students. Start on their publications page.
Mississippi
Texas


* Your community needs only 500 points to qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums through the Community Rating System (CRS). For more information (including how to apply for the CRS program), see our Community Rating System (CRS) primer.

Notes from the folks at CRS:

“Several agencies, organizations, and programs provide information on flooding, erosion, and other coastal hazards. Communities that make this information available to the general public through the local library can receive credit under Activity 350, Flood Protection Information.”

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