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Water Matters: Floods, Utility and Management 2012 National Environmental Justice Conference &Training Program

Washington D.C. 2012 April 13th, Click to edit Master subtitle style

Dwight Martin Tennessee State University Nekya Young Tennessee State University Mr. Jonathan Clark Tennessee State University
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Project Purpose
Explore flood effects on underserved populations. Identification of flood causality generally and Nashville

Tennessee 2010 flood event.


Examine flood awareness, flood event (s) and post flood

measures and response strategies.

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Emergency Preparedness Regional vs. Local Impacts

2 Missouri River levees break in Iowa and Mo. - CBS News

Levee breach submerges Downtown Memphis airport; some streets ... May 5, 2011 All across the area, the river's steady rise toward a historic crest prompted

renewed preparations.
Army Corps of Engineers' Purposeful Levee Breach Saving Cairo ... May 3, 2011 But the breach in the levee was also expected to drown a vast ... to be working

Tuesday morning, hours after the Army Corps of Engineers used .. Floodwaters still perilous after Missouri levee breached ... rising downriver, including in Memphis, Tenn. And the

May 3, 2011 Even as the Corps carried out its bid to protect Cairo, Ill., floodwaters were

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What Would you do? What wouldYou Do?


What would you do if your property was flooded? Are you prepared? Even if you feel you live in a community with a low risk of flooding, remember that anywhere it rains, it can flood. Just because you haven't experienced a flood in the past, doesn't mean you won't in the future. Flood risk isn't just based on history; it's also based on a number of factors including rainfall , topography, flood-control measures, river-flow and tidal-surge data, 4/22/12 and changes due to new construction and development.

Satellite Imagery-Snow Coverage-Mississippi and Ohio River Basins Region February 12, 2011

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Satellite Imagery-Snow Recedes and Rivers RiseSatellite Imagery-Snow Recedes and Rivers Rise Mississippi and Ohio River Basins March 12, 2011 Mississippi and Ohio River Basins Region March12, 2011

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Mississippi River Pre and Memphis,TN ActualFlood Mississippi River (Pre- and Actual Flood)

April 21,2011

May 10, 4/22/12 2011

Watersheds come in all shapes and sizes. They cross, country, state and national boundaries. In the continental US, there are 2,110 watersheds; including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico (there are 2,267 watersheds). John Wesley Powell, Scientist Geographer.

A WATERSHED is the area of land

where all of the water that is under it or drains off of it goes into the same place.

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What is a watershed?
A watershed is that area of land, a bounded hydrologic system, within which all living things are inextricably linked by their common water course and where, as humans settled, simple logic demanded that they become part of a community.

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Whites Creek Watershed Study Area

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Record Crests on the Cumberland River (Nashville, TN)

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The Whites Creek Throat Branch demonstrated the highest capacity values at 109.32 (WCTRR1) greater than the normal average capacity. Much of this attributed to the fact this is the final leg of the watershed network.

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Study Area Census Target Area (Census Tracts) Tracts


Home Ownership Characteristics Tract

Units 2010 2490 2,323

Occupied 1172 1961 2,165

Owner% 58 79 65.2

127.01 127.02 128.01

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Whites Creek Watershed Flooding at the Throat Treppard Heights


Treppard Heights Subdivision
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North Nashville Streams Map

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Bordeaux Community Nashville, TN at White Creek Bordeaux Community Watershed Nashville The Throat

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Along the West Hamilton corridor over 30 housing units have been

deemed uninhabitable and purchased by the City of Nashville, TN.


This population is predominantly African American. Homes were primarily mortgage free. The median value of these properties is approximately $80,000-

$100,000.
Median buyout settlement from the city of Nashville is $23,000-

$35,000

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Flood Protection

Flood Protection

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Environmental Awareness

Overland flooding, the most common

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Environmental Awareness
Be aware:
Local drainage patterns (3 rainfall / 24 hour potential flood hazard) Site and proximity drainage patterns. Observe before, during and after storm and

rainfall periods.

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Natural Conditions

Vegetation

(grassy areas) coverage ratio concrete/asphalt


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Natural Conditions (Contd)


Plastic and non-porous materials Tires, batteries, auto part materials, chemical waste

Record (photo, video and written) potential flood and related conditions Rocks, water run-off Water system tributaries

1. Rivers 2. Creeks 3. Watersheds

Floodplains
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Neighborhood Drainage Conditions


Drainage pathway blockage

Discarded housing items and furnishings (mattresses, bath fixtures, others items)

Brush, Trees, Grass Plastic and Non-porous materials Tires, batteries auto parts materials, chemical waste Record (photo-video and written) potential flood and

related conditions

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Disaster Event Preparedness

Is an In-Depth Guide to Citizen Preparedness developed by FEMA, is designed to help the citizens of this nation learn how to protect themselves and their families against all types of hazards. It can be used as a reference source or as a step-bystep manual. The focus of the content is on how to develop, practice, and maintain emergency plans that reflect what must be done before, during, and after a disaster to protect people and their property. Also included is information on how to assemble a disaster supplies kit that contains the food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity for individuals and their families to survive. http://training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/is22lst.asp
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"Are You Ready?

Develop A Plan

Survival Kit (s)

Exit Routes / Safety Paths Communication Methods Personal documents, memorabilia ,etc Flood Insurance Protection

Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) ~ Shows flood areas Includes insurance rate zones Flood Insurance Studies ~Report of community flood hazards; Lists past flooding Includes graphic profiles; Developed in conjunction with a FIRM (FEMA) ~www.fema.gov/hazard/map/flood.shtml
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Disaster Event Response

Avoid walking

in Flood Waters. Note: 6 " of moving water,


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Post-Disaster Planning

Refrain from using electrical appliances after floods and if in doubt have equipment evaluated by licensed personnel. Replace damaged equipment if necessary. Beware of natural and LP gas leaks. Do not light open flames (candles, lighters, lanterns). Beware of after flood displaced animals snakes, small animals and varied insects.
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Long-Term Water Management Strategies

Global Warming in the 21st Century may be debatable,

however:
Green Streets Green Roofs Wetlands Natural Flood Storage Private and Public Development to minimize impermeability Upstream Runoff Reduction Expanded Green Spaces Local Ordinances
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Resources

Local council representative

State representative Congressional representative City agencies Public Works Utility Companies Local Planning Division FEMA TEMA~ Tennessee Emergency Management NOAA

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References and Acknowledgements

Acknowledgements

Nashville Metro Water Services Davidson County Property Assessors Division Nashville Metro Planning Department (GIS) U.S. Corp of Engineers Mario Beddingfield, PE The Housing Fund

Acknowledgements

Tennessee Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation


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Presenters Information
Dwight D. Martin~ Tennessee State University College of Engineering,

Technology, and Computer Science~ Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering Dmartin@tnstate.edu 615.963.5451
Nekya Young~ Tennessee State University ~ Center for Service Learning

and Civic Engagement Nyoung@tnstate.edu 615.963.1247


Jonathan Clark ~Tennessee State University ~College of Engineering,

Technology, and Computer Science~ Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering Jonthanclark1992@gmail.com

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