Past coloring books have been popular with our Water Talk readers. FEMA staff noted a disaster safety focused issue we haven't previously shared - FEMA's My Safe Yard.

The book includes:

• Basics on preparing for floods and severe wind
• Coloring and activity pages

Are you interested in joining the Floodplain Mapping Program within the DNR Division of Ecological and Water Resources? The program is looking to fill two Floodplain Engineer positions.

The position will be part of a dedicated team that works with FEMA to create and update quality floodplain models and maps that help Minnesotans understand flood risk. Job duties will include a mix of H&H modeling, GIS tasks, and database management, in addition to outreach to local communities during the mapping update process.

To apply, go to https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/ and search for “Floodplain Engineer” or Job ID 69628.    

Closing date is Oct. 9, 2023.

The Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers (MNAFPM) annual conference will be held Nov. 1-3, 2023, in Moorhead.

You don't want to miss all the great presentations, workshops and opportunities to learn from each other! See registration page for more details.

• Nov. 1, 2023: Training, kickoff and social
• Nov. 2, 2023: Main conference day
• Nov. 3, 2023: Field tour and CFM exam

Key reminders and deadlines:

• Sept. 30, 2023: Award Nominations deadline. See award nomination page to nominate floodplain manager and project of the year. 
• Oct. 4, 2023: Discounted hotel room deadline. The conference will be held at the Courtyard by Marriott  To receive the discounted group rate of $129 plus tax for standard rooms, book through this link or call the front desk at 218-284-1000.
• Oct. 4, 2023: Scholarship application deadline. Local officials are strongly encouraged to apply. See Scholarship page for more information.
• Oct. 14, 2023: Early Bird Registration deadline. Save $30 by meeting the early bird deadline. Regular registration ends Oct. 31, 2023.

Interested in taking the CFM exam?

• The CFM exam will be hosted in person at the MnAFPM conference. The exam will be taken on a computer but with in-person proctoring. 
• Registration deadline for the CFM exam is Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. Note: Late registrations will be accepted up to Oct. 20, 2023, but there will be a $50 late fee after Oct.13, 2023.
• Registration for the exam is administered by Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) staff. If interested, please fill out the CFM Application and check the “Exam Event (conference/workshop)” box under Exam Details and put “2023 MN Annual Conference”  in the Event Location & Date field. 

See MnAFPM website for more information.

FEMA's one-page information sheet Fast Facts on Floods & Flood Insurance includes:

• Fast facts on past flood insurance claims and flood insurance
• Common misconceptions about flood insurance

Example misconception

Misconception: "I don't need flood insurance. I can just get disaster assistance."

Truth: "Federal disaster assistance is only available after a presidential declaration, and typically comes in the form of a loan that must be repaid with interest. You may be entitled to Individual Assistance but, usually, only basics like food, water and housing are covered." 

Costs of flooding flyer

FEMA also has issued an updated flyer showing one inch of water can cause $25,000 of damage. 

Many of you attended the series of one-hour virtual trainings presented by DNR Floodplain and Shoreland/River Program staff in early 2023. Recordings of those trainings (with captioning) were posted on the DNR Land Use Program's Training and Education page. Whether you missed the trainings or want a refresher, they are available to all who are interested!

See topic descriptions on the Floodplain Training and Education page. 

New Topics

• Hydrology and Hydraulics for Non-Engineers
• Floodplain Culverts

• Floodplain Management Basics 
• FEMA Map Basics
• Floodplain Administration 101
• Dealing with A Zones
• Floodplain Higher Standards
• Flood Insurance Basics (Risk Rating 2.0)
• Minnesota's New State Model Floodplain Ordinance

• Shoreland Management Basics
• Shoreland Higher Standards

Note: All held 9-10 a.m. Central Time. 

• Oct. 25, 2023: Insurance is Mitigation; Registration Link 
• Nov. 29, 2023: Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains; Registration Link 
• Dec. 20, 2023: Community Rating System (CRS); Registration Link 

These trainings and registration links are also available on the DNR Floodplain Training and Education page.

Talk with FEMA and DNR Floodplain Program representatives during monthly virtual Minnesota Floodplain Management Office Hours. Hours are 10-11 a.m., typically on the fourth Thursday of the month (but a few are adjusted to avoid Thanksgiving, etc.).

Upcoming monthly hours (Note: all are 10 - 11 a.m. Central Time)

• Sept. 28, 2023 (Thu)
• Oct. 26, 2023 (Thu)
• Nov. 16, 2023 (Thu)
• Dec. 28, 2023 (Thu)

Where: Teams. No registration is required. Select a date to get the Teams meeting appointment. 

These office hour dates and links are also available on DNR's Floodplain Training and Education page.

• Latest timetable for past and future map updates
• More about FEMA map updates in Minnesota. 
• Find links to preliminary new maps and county level floodplain data work maps on the County Data and Map Viewers web page