Thousands of individuals residing downstream from dams may not be fully aware of the potential risks they face. As climate change leads to heavier rainfall during severe storms, communities are increasingly vulnerable to flooding, which also poses a greater threat to the country’s aging dams. Recent instances of dam damage or breaches in states like Georgia, Minnesota, New York, South Carolina, Texas, and Wisconsin have resulted in evacuations and costly repairs.
A review conducted by the Associated Press revealed that conflicting federal policies may be hindering local officials in sharing crucial information with residents, businesses, and property owners regarding areas that could be inundated in the event of a dam failure. This lack of information might also be leading residents to pay more for flood insurance.
The issue of conflicting federal policies has been persistent for years, despite warnings to federal officials about its consequences. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages a flood insurance program available in communities that adhere to floodplain management regulations. Nearly 22,700 local governments participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, providing insurance coverage amounting to $1.3 trillion to approximately 4.7 million policyholders.
FEMA also administers a voluntary program that grants discounts on flood insurance premiums based on a community’s flood mitigation and safety measures. However, achieving the top discount of 45% is challenging, with only two out of 1,500 local governments qualifying for it. One aspect evaluated by the program relates to dams, where communities must maintain maps showing areas at risk of flooding if a dam were to fail, and conduct public outreach about potential risks.
One reason for the limited number of communities qualifying for the top flood insurance discounts is the reluctance of some federal agencies to release inundation maps for dams under their ownership or regulation. Concerns over national security have led to the withholding of information following the September 11, 2001, attacks, with agencies like the Bureau of Reclamation requiring non-disclosure agreements when sharing such critical data with local officials.
In response to concerns raised regarding the lack of transparency and sharing of dam-related information, some agencies are starting to reconsider their policies. The Bureau of Reclamation announced plans to allow communities to share information about dam inundation zones publicly, including flood-wave travel times and depths, starting in 2025. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has also begun posting dam inundation maps online to enhance public awareness of flood risks.
FEMA is contemplating potential changes to the Community Rating System for flood insurance, seeking public input on system improvements to encourage communities to reduce flood risks effectively. While changes may not be implemented until 2026, FEMA is currently accepting public suggestions until September 9th about how to enhance the current system.