Planning and Land Management

Alaska Risk MAP Program

Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP)

is a FEMA program that provides communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better protect their citizens. Through more accurate flood maps, risk assessment tools, and outreach support, Risk MAP builds on earlier FEMA flood mapping efforts and strengthens local ability to make informed decisions about reducing risk.

The value of Risk MAP to Alaskan communities is that it’s not just a mapping project with a beginning and an end. Risk MAP is a process, a continuing, collaborative partnership to help federal, state, tribal, and local community officials, business owners, private citizens and stakeholders make sound floodplain management decisions and take action to reduce risk from floods and other hazards. Through Risk MAP, new and innovative tools are available to help communities assess and communicate risk in their jurisdictions. The graphic to the left demonstrates the vision for the Risk MAP life cycle which begins with Identifying Risk, then Assessing Risk, then Communicating Risk, and finally Mitigating Risk. Risk MAP intends to integrate and align other FEMA mitigation and risk analysis programs, such as the Multi-Hazard Mitigation Planning and National Flood Insurance Programs (NFIP), into a into an effective, community-based strategy.

Alaska’s Strategy:

The Alaska Mapping Business Plan: Integrating Mapping, Assessment, and Mitigation Planning, represents a first step in comprehensively evaluating the status of Alaska’s flood maps, setting priorities for future mapping, and outlining a collaborative relationship with FEMA to fully execute the Risk MAP strategy for the benefit of Alaska’s communities, local governments, tribal entities, and residents.

The purpose of the mapping business plan is to provide FEMA with Alaska’s strategy for floodplain mapping participation in the Risk MAP program. During the coming year, DCRA will be in contact with other state and federal agencies, private sector organizations, and non-profit entities to develop a plan that will lead to stronger support of FEMA’s mapping program and with new financial commitments from other entities with vested interests in improving the accuracy of mapping in Alaska.