The southern Indian State of Kerala has been blanketed by floods over the past few weeks and has experienced their heaviest rainfall in almost 100 years 1. While India receives monsoon rains every summer, rainfall totals in Kerala this year, have been almost 37 percent higher than last year 2.
“Having colleagues here in Maryland who have been affected by major flood events, and having worked on Hurricane Katrina, and now with friends back in India facing many of the same challenges, this hits home” says VPC President, and Disaster Planner, Deepa Srinivasan.
The number of people affected from the flood events range from 220,000 3 to over 1 million people in evacuation camps since the flooding began in the beginning of August 4. Additionally, power outages, overwhelmed emergency and medical services, and the closing of the international airport have brought the region to a standstill. If all of this sounds reminiscent of a major flood event in the U.S., it is, because there are many parallels that can be drawn.
First, Kerala is an already low-lying, coastal, fishing and tourism-based region. A network of rivers and canals cut through the area, which is supported by over 80 dams. Kerala’s history of European trade and colonization draws some similarities to parts of Louisiana - low-lying U.S. coastal fishing communities with rich European history, that have experienced major flooding events. The harbor in the coastal City of Kochi, which allowed the trade industry to flourish, was carved out by a documented flood event over 600 years ago. In the State of Kerala, and in many U.S. coastal cities, the natural marshes and wetlands that once protected these coastal cities from flood events, have been drained or filled as a result of rapid development and urbanization 5. The most common concerns heard with respect to the handling of the Kerala floods include: lack of early warning; mismanagement of the dam system protecting the area; and availability of evacuation assistance; all of which were major concerns during Hurricane Katrina.
"Having colleagues here in Maryland who have been affected by major flood events, and having worked on Hurricane Katrina, and now with friends back in India facing many of the same challenges, this hits home."
-Deepa Srinivasan, VPC President
Indian Government Officials had already identified Kerala as one of the top-ten most at-risk states to flooding in the sub-continent. Despite this finding, there is limited, if any early warning programs in place across the state. The Indian Central Water Commission (CWC) is the only government agency authorized to issue a flood warning 6. Although there are flood monitoring sites in Kerala, there are no flood forecasting sites at the various dam locations or along strategic points or river junctions around the State 7.
A compounding issue is that of the dam management and release policies. It has been argued that there was adequate notice to release some of the waters behind the dams during dry periods ahead of the catastrophic flooding. Instead, officials released water from over 80 dams during the peak flood levels, which only exacerbated an already calamitous event 8. As a result, the delay in releasing the dams added to the heavy flooding from the rains already experienced in surrounding areas, causing one of the most devastating flood events India has recently experienced. It is estimated that if water from approximately 30 of those dams been gradually released prior to the peak event, that the flooding would not have been as devastating 9.
Once the dams had reached critical levels and evacuation warnings had been issued, there was still much hesitation by locals to heed the evacuation orders and leave behind their homes and property. The fear of theft, and a general mistrust of the government only further compounded the issue. These are all issues that commonly occur in many U.S. cities following severe flooding and other disaster events. An additional challenge during the Kerala floods was determining how to evacuate persons with limited mobility or how to reach residents with developmental or cognitive challenges and bring them to safety, similar to the challenges faced during Hurricane Katrina’s evacuation efforts. For those in Kerala who did not evacuate, rescue officials quickly became overwhelmed and a large-scale volunteer effort mobilized. It is estimated that over 2,800 fishermen 10 volunteered to assist with the evacuation and rescue operations.
Regardless of their location, vulnerable and affected communities face many of the same challenges when it comes to flooding and other disasters.
Where do we go from here? How do we function effectively in a post-disaster situation and make the most of the available resources?
The key to the efficient and effective delivery of national resources in a post-disaster environment is preparedness. Post disaster preparedness planning is: critical to evaluate the capacity, capability, readiness of various national and state agency partners during steady-state.; and crucial to develop a Strategic Operational Plan prior to an event occurring, so it is in place when a disaster strikes.
These efforts during steady-state will result in more efficient and effective delivery of resources by helping to:
For more information contact us at info@vision-pc.net.
1. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/world/asia/india-kerala-flood-video.html
2. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/17/world/asia/kerala-india-floods.html
3. Ibid.
4. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-floods-over-1-million-in-relief-camps-focus-on-rehabilitation/articleshow/65478086.cms
5. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/17/world/asia/kerala-india-floods.html
6. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/21/world/asia/india-kerala-flood-video.html
7. Ibid.
8. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/17/world/asia/kerala-india-floods.html
9. Ibid.
10. https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/20/asia/india-kerala-floods-fishermen-intl/index.html
VPC is thrilled to announce that our President, Deepa Srinivasan, graduated from the 10,000 Small Businesses (10KSB) program earlier this week. The 16-week program is designed to provide small business owners the information, tools, and skills necessary to take their businesses to the next level.
Between classroom instruction, clinics, mentoring services, and a practical planning project, 10KSB scholars are equipped with the skillsets and confidence to better position their businesses in a competitive market. "10KSB was a phenomenal experience. It gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of small businesses that operate quite differently from ours. Together, we truly are the economic engine of this country" said Deepa Srinivasan. The graduation ceremony was held Monday, August 13th, 2018, in Baltimore, Maryland. Distinguished speakers included Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen.
"10KSB was a phenomenal experience. It gave me a deeper understanding and appreciation of small businesses... Together, we truly are the economic engine of this country"
Deepa Srinivasan
The Baltimore Sun provided a great article on the program and its recent graduates. Click here for the link.
VPC presented at TUgis - Maryland’s Geospatial Conference, at Towson University on Wednesday, August 8th. Our topic, Sea Level Change, Flood Estimates, and Historic Structures: Identifying Risk and Vulnerability in Four Talbot County Villages, was one of only four presentations in the “GIS in our Communities” track. Our case study was conducted in partnership with the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC), and delivered a comprehensive look at the flood vulnerability of historic and cultural resources in the County’s four villages and to improve resiliency.
VPC’s presentation opened to a packed room. "So many people clustered in the doors that many more hopeful attendees had to be turned away. This was a topic that hit home to many." said VPC presenter Ashley Samonisky.
The presentation described the flood model that identified properties that are most at-risk from the 10%, 5%, 2%, 1%, and 0.2% chance of flood for 2016, as well as from sea level rise for the years 2050 and 2100, which also helped estimate potential dollar losses. While the primary focus of the TUgis conference is of course, GIS, there was still a very high interest in how the GIS analysis and results were used to formulate mitigation actions for the historic properties.
VPC’s part of the presentation discussed how mitigation actions for the properties were selected based on the property type, condition, potential flood hazard, and best practices for preserving historic buildings. As the properties in question are all historic, very careful consideration had to be taken when selecting mitigation actions. “Every action we selected for these properties ensured that the buildings eligibility for the state or federal historic register would not be compromised, and every action was approved by the Maryland Historic Trust.”
Many attendees were interested in what mitigation actions were most useful under what circumstances. Representatives from various Counties in Maryland also attended and asked questions about how involved the local planning office was, whether or not we encountered any opposition from homeowners when conducting site visits, etc.
Additional highlights from the conference include leveraging GIS for emergency management, damage assessments, and stormwater management, among many other public safety considerations. “These are no longer the tools of the future, they are the tools for the now” said VPC President Deepa Srinivasan, “staying abreast of the newest technologies and best practices allows us to provide the very best services to our customers.”
For more information on the Talbot County Sea Level Change/Flood Estimates Project call or email us at: info@vision-pc.net or 888-872-9626.
Team members from VPC travelled to Tunkahannock, Pennsylvania earlier this month to hold the first set of meetings for the 2018 Wyoming County Hazard Mitigation Plan (HMP) Update. Afternoon and evening meetings were held for the County Steering Committee, and municipal representatives, respectively. The attendance level for the municipal meeting was among the highest for any plan completed by VPC. The County EOC had standing room only for the 6pm meeting, and over 90 percent of the municipalities sent at least one representative, and 3 or 4 members, in some instances.
Anyone familiar with Pennsylvania’s style of government knows that the counties are comprised of townships, boroughs, and cities. Almost all legislative, regulatory, and zoning planning is handled at these local levels. The overwhelming participation of the municipalities in Wyoming County cements the fact that stakeholder engagement and local participation are the cornerstones of an effective planning process. Not only do these planning meetings provide the opportunity to explain the project purpose, planning process, action development, timelines, and deliverables to the local jurisdictions, they also provide an outlet to encourage discussion, collaboration, and an opportunity to gather more information on current hazard conditions, projects, and potential challenges.
A particular concern for Wyoming County was the increased number of natural gas wells/pads, pipelines, and compression stations throughout the county. Both the County Steering Committee and municipal representatives requested the inclusion of unconventional wells and pipelines to the list of hazards affecting the County. The meetings allow an opportunity to discuss changing the prioritization (Low, Moderate, High) for the identified hazards based on the probability of them occurring in each municipality. For example, Northmoreland Township may be more at-risk to pipeline hazards than Braintrim, or Forkston may be less at-risk to flooding than Nicholson. Using the County rankings as a baseline, hazards can be moved from high to moderate or from moderate to low for each jurisdiction, as the case may be.
Multiple outreach methods were used to gain such high participation levels in Wyoming County. An online Capabilities survey was developed and distributed. Additionally, worksheets were emailed to the jurisdictions directly to gather information on their current and past mitigation actions. Finally, face-to-face meetings were held after the municipal meeting in order to gather necessary information from those jurisdictions unable to complete the worksheets or surveys online, or who had questions prior to submitting.
By soliciting local input and participation, communities not only meet the Federal requirements to allow “an opportunity for neighboring communities, local and regional agencies involved in hazard mitigation activities, and agencies that have the authority to regulate development, as well as businesses, academia and other private and non-profit interests to be involved in the planning process,” but also it also helps gather more buy-in and general support for the projects, as a whole. When community leaders and decision makers feel like a part of the process, they are more inclined to become champions for these mitigation projects.
Do you have questions about increasing participation in your county? Are you preparing to update your HMP? Contact us to see how VPC can help you with your planning project!
VPC is proud to be working with FEMA Region III on a webinar for hazard mitigation planners and other partners interested in reducing risk in their communities. Our presentation, titled "Integrating Your Long Range Vision with your Hazard Mitigation Plan", will take place tomorrow, July 25, at 11am EDT.
"What’s the best way to ensure that plans are consistent with one another and that the principles embodied in the Hazard Mitigation Plan are supported and advanced by the other plans? Learn how your plans can pull together in the same direction toward a more resilient future."
For more information, or to register for the webinar, go to https://bit.ly/2AecG1s
Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) was selected to be a U.S. Department of Commerce delegate to participate in the World Cities Summit, Singapore Water Week and CleanEnviro Summit in Singapore July 8-12, 2018. The objective was to promote U.S. companies in exporting products and services. The Summit explored how cities can be more livable and resilient through better governance and planning, technology and social innovations, as well as collaborations with various stakeholders with other cities.
“Of the three conferences, I particularly enjoyed the World City Summit. The focus was on creating innovative and integrated urban solutions for a more sustainable future through shared vision and active engagement with the public, private, and people sectors. Their showcase of best practices worldwide was enlightening,” said Deepa Srinivasan, VPC’s President.
VPC had the opportunity to network with a large number of organizations at the Summit that drew participants from as many as 125 countries in the areas of urban planning, water, and environment solutions. We worked closely with a local business specialist from the US Commercial Service in Singapore and was able to leverage local relationships. This effort was funded by the Export MD Program’s Office of International Investment and Trade.
“With our experience in disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation, emergency management, resiliency, flood mitigation and vulnerability, we were successful in forging partnerships with international firms on emergency planning efforts. VPC has set the stage and is poised to promote their services internationally as a Maryland company.
For more information contact: Deepa Srinivasan at dsrinivasan@vision-pc.net.
VPC is pleased to present a webinar on Disaster Planning for Historic Properties on Tuesday, June 26th, 2018 at 1:00pm. The webinar is hosted by the Maryland Department of Planning’s partnership with Smart Growth Online and is funded by the U.S. EPA Office of Sustainable Communities.
How do we protect historic properties that cannot be moved or modified, when the next disaster strikes? This is a critical question faced by many owners of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, state registers, or those located in local historic districts. Changing their original materials, locations or character-defining features can put these properties at risk of losing their historic designation. How, then, do we protect these resources and address them in local hazard mitigation plans? This webinar will feature VPC’s recent case studies in Maryland and Pennsylvania.
For more information, or to register for the webinar, go to https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5355621474759221507.
Conference Season is in full swing and VPC is making a lasting impression on attendees interested in historic preservation. Deepa Srinivasan, President of Vision Planning and Consulting (VPC) presented at the 2018 PA Downtown Conference in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
The topic of VPC’s presentation at the Pennsylvania Downtown Center 2018 Conference, was “Hitting Two Birds with One Stone: Hazard Mitigation and Historic Preservation – How to Preserve and Protect.”
What happens when we cannot move or modify a building to protect it from disaster? This is the case for many State and Nationally listed historic properties. Modifications that alter original features, materials, or locations, put properties at risk of losing their historic designation. How then, do we protect these resources? Are Mitigation and Preservation both possible? Is it better to alter a building’s character-defining features and protect it than to risk losing it entirely?
Ms. Srinivasan's presentation discussed: the need for such projects: an overview of the recently completed Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office’s (PA SHPO) Phase II of the Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative in four counties across the Commonwealth; the hazard analysis methodology; project findings; and the challenges of undertaking such a coordinated approach to hazard mitigation and historic preservation.
“Historic properties are just as at risk to natural disasters as other properties, perhaps even more so, as there are fewer options for mitigation while maintaining the integrity of these historic properties. Our goal is to develop implementable solutions for historic property owners, that won’t affect their property’s historic status or designation” Ms. Srinivasan explains.
Attendees from Pennsylvania Main Streets, Elm Streets, and other downtown associations were attentive and engaged throughout the presentation and raised valid concerns about property eligibility and funding. Questions focused around the laws and regulations regarding modifications to listed or eligible historic properties, and potential funding sources for such projects. Ms. Srinivasan provided a brief explanation and informed conference-goers of the valuable resources provided in the Phase II Disaster Planning for Historic Properties Initiative Four-County Study. Ms. Srinivasan stated, “The Pilot Study includes federal, state and local regulations for properties to maintain their eligibility, as well as potential funding sources (federal, state, and private) for preservation and mitigation projects.”
Additional resources for property owners provided in the Pilot study include: an easy to follow architectural field guide for identifying common building styles; a master list of mitigation actions and the key architectural features each action protects; sample historic property evaluations; and a list of additional resources which provide best practices from historic preservation and hazard mitigation projects around the country.
VPC will be presenting at the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) conference in Phoenix, Arizona on 21 June at 10:30am. Stay tuned for more updates as VPC will be highlighting the flood analysis and methodology portions of the PA SHPO project, and discussing sea-level rise challenges faced in a similar mitigation/preservation project in Talbot County, Maryland.
Our hearts go out to the residents and business owners on Main Street in Ellicott City, and all of the families who lost a loved one or are dealing with the aftermath of Saturday’s flash flood event. This is our community and our Main Street and VPC will do what we can, where we can, to assist the County and local businesses with their recovery efforts. #ECStrong #EllicottCity
Over the past year, VPC has been working with the Pennsylvania Historic and Museum Commission on a pilot project intended to bring attention to the need for historic and cultural resources to be considered when developing hazard mitigation plans. The pilot included four geographically, demographically, and architecturally diverse counties across the Commonwealth, with the goal of providing a template for other counties to follow in the future.
The project builds on earlier survey efforts by incorporating historic preservation considerations into the Pennsylvania State Hazard Mitigation Plan as well as four individual County Hazard Mitigation Plans. The study was conducted in Bedford, Cameron, and Monroe Counties, and the City of Philadelphia.
For more information, read the project blog here: https://bit.ly/2s5ERcN.
