Interactive Flood Response Plans: Internet/Intranet Formats with National Implications

Deschamps, Pat; Henz, John; ,

Interactive Flood Response Plans: Internet/Intranet Formats with National Implications

by Pat Deschamps,
John Henz,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: WRPMD'99: Preparing for the 21st Century

Abstract:

(No paper) An effective flood response plan takes into account the needs of and utility to the end user of that plan?namely the local emergency response community. A flood response plan that is too complex or too technical is not likely to be well understood or effectively used by emergency response personnel under the duress of an imminent flood emergency. This paper presents a format for a Flood Response Plan developed for Wickenburg, Arizona that is interactive and easily understood, thus enhancing its value and utility to the end user. While simple in appearance, the flood response plan is underlain by good scientific application of meteorological, hydrological, and engineering principles and a thorough understanding of the needs and capabilities of the emergency response agencies. The flood response plan is computer-based, interactive, and can be linked to digital maps for visual reference. The format of the Flood Response Plan can be easily adapted to other basins and other floodprone communities using similar techniques to develop site-specific plans for those communities. Such plans have tremendous potential to grow as technological advances facilitate expanded dissemination capabilities.

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