Disasters
According to the Secretariat of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction, a disaster is a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope using its own resources. Resources available in this sub-theme include guidance on strengthening institutional arrangements, examples of public awareness programs, and others that support disaster risk mitigation and response.
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Disasters Resources
A GIS Tool for Flood Inundation Mapping
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationU.S. Geological Survey
The GIS Flood Tool (GFT) is a GIS-based flood inundation mapping tool developed by the United States Geological Survey. It using existing medium scale terrain datasets to create estimates of flood inundation boundaries in an area without detailed ground survey information. The tool can also be run...Read more
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United StatesUnderstanding the Complex Impacts of Drought: a Key to Enhancing Drought Mitigation and Preparedness
Published:
January 11, 2007National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A Journal of Water Resources Management article on drought by DWFI Faculty Fellows Don Wilhite, Mark Svoboda and Michael Hayes.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaThe U.S. Drought Portal
National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationU.S. Department of Agriculture
The website provides information about regional, state and local sources of drought information as well as information on planning, education, research and recovery. The website provides static maps and information related to the current state of drought, drought impacts, and drought forecasts.Read more
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United StatesSignificant River Flood Outlook
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This Flood Outlook is intended to provide a general outlook for significant river flooding.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaUSGS WaterWatch
Published:
November 2, 2016U.S. Geological Survey
Display National and State maps, graphs, and tables describing real-time, recent, and past streamflow conditions for the United States including locations where floods and droughts are occurring. (Real-time data, in most cases, are transmitted once every 1 to 4 hours.) Also, you can select USGS...Read more
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North AmericaUnited StatesUSGS Flood Inundation Mapper
Published:
February 10, 2016National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The USGS Flood Inundation Mapper partners with local communities to assist with the development and validation of flood inundation map libraries and provides online access to flood inundation maps along with real-time streamflow data, flood forecasts, and potential loss estimates.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaAdvanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
AHPS provide forecasts of river levels and river flow volumes from an hour to a season for areas large and small, including river forecast information such as:
o How high the river will rise;
o When the river will reach its peak;
o Where property will be flooded;
o How long flooding will continue;...Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaWater Resources Dashboard
Published:
March 18, 2016National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This dashboard provides access to maps and data that can help water resource managers and urban planners monitor the potential for extreme precipitation and drought in their regions. The dashboard is organized into three categories: observations; forecasts and outlooks; and people and assetsRead more
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United StatesNorth AmericaTechnical Mapping Advisory Council
Published:
September 13, 2016National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) is a federal advisory committee established to review and make recommendations to FEMA on matters related to the national flood mapping program authorized under the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaThe National Flood Insurance Program
Published:
May 20, 2016National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
This page provides an overview of the National Flood Insurance Program and shares additional information and links for property owners, claims adjusters, insurance professionals, lenders, surveyors and elected officials.Read more
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United StatesNorth AmericaDon't see what you're looking for? You can search USWP member sites, request a resource, or contact the USWP.