State of Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program

State of Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program

PBS&J is the state of Georgia’s sole contractor for the production and management of its flood map modernization program. As such, PBS&J has completed all phases of floodplain mapping, including statewide planning; provides Map Modernization Management Support (3MS); and performs activities including scoping, outreach, field reconnaissance, hydrology, hydraulics, floodplain mapping, preliminary digital flood insurance rate map (DFIRM) production, and post-preliminary DFIRM processing for 159 counties and 531 communities statewide.

In the first three years of this contract, PBS&J has been responsible for:

• Engineering and mapping for 29 counties.
• Preparing 350 miles of redelineation.
• Providing 200 miles of limited detail study.
• Reviewing 620 miles of work by other engineers.
• Preparing 1,750 DFIRM panels.

In 2004, PBS&J began providing map modernization management support including:

• Reviewing/revising the state’s five-year map modernization business plan.
• Developing a web site for project status and data distribution (www.georgiadfirm.com).
• Developing and executing outreach activities for communities, conferences, and state agencies.
• Providing training and developing outreach material.
• Providing mapping needs update system support and map needs assessment.
• Coordinating a hydrological and hydraulic review.
• Developing technical standards for future conditions.

Georgia’s Flood Map Modernization Program web site is widely used by the public and community officials. The success of the state’s program has resulted in increased funding from FEMA during each fiscal year; improved the state’s ability to obtain cost-share contributions from other sources; and improved the effectiveness of the state in linking improved floodplain management with improved floodplain mapping.