Flood preparation, response, and recovery

Disaster roles of local officials videos

Learn about local official responsibilities for preparation, response and recovery. Useful resources are also discussed and examples are shown.

Disaster Roles of Local Officials: Preparation

Disaster Roles of Local Officials: Flood Response and Recovery

Summary of resources and links noted in the disaster roles of local officials videos

Preparation - planning and coordination:

• Minnesota County Emergency Managers Directory
• Minnesota Department of Labor Disaster Preparedness Manual for Building Officials
• US Army Corps of Engineers (USACOE) St Paul District Emergency Management page
• USACOE Emergency Action Plan Guidebook
• USACOE Community Resource Toolbox page (for flood response resources)
• USACOE Flood Fight Handbook (2019)
• Minnesota Hazard Mitigation Planning (Homeland Security and Emergency Management page about state and local plans)

Latest FEMA map resources:

• Find FEMA Maps
• County Data and Map Viewers

River gages (for current readings, forecasts and historical information):

• National Weather Service:
  • Northwest Minnesota
  • Northeast Minnesota
  • Central and South Central Minnesota
  • Southwest Minnesota
  • Southeast Minnesota
• DNR/MPCA: Cooperative Stream Gaging Program
• USGS: Minnesota River Gage (map with links)

Example inundation maps:

• National Weather Service St Paul, MN inundation map
• City of Moorhead  Flood Stages Interactive Map

Post-flood assistance:

• Minnesota Disaster Preparedness Volunteers site (Department of Labor and Industry)

Substantial damage determinations:

• FEMA Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference

Mitigation grants:

• DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
• Minnesota’s Homeland Security Emergency Management (HSEM) Hazard Mitigation Programs

Before the flood

There are a number of things you can do to prepare your community or property for floods. Below are some very useful resources. Additionally, there are a number of guidance materials for floodproofing and retrofitting on our Technical Resources page.

• DNR Flood Hazard Mitigation Program
• Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management administers a number of grants to mitigate flood losses
• Minnesota Department of Labor Disaster Preparedness Manual for Building Officials
• Flood Resilience Checklist – The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) created a tool to help communities prepare for, deal with, and recover from floods. This checklist offers strategies communities can consider to manage stormwater.
• Understanding and Managing Flood Risk: A Guide for Elected Officials – Association of State Floodplain Managers
• What can (and should) I do about fluctuating water levels on my property?

During the flood

Current flood forecasts and stream flow conditions from the National Weather Service:

• National Water Prediction Service

Current Minnesota stream flow conditions:

• Cooperative Stream Gaging Program (DNR/MPCA)
• USGS WaterWatch

Temporary Closures:

• Closure Information for State Parks, State Trails, State Forest Roads, and State Water Accesses

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Emergency Response and Recovery

Post-flood information

• Minnesota Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management – State & Federal Resources for Homeowners and Renters
• Substantial Damage Determinations
• North Dakota State University - Flood Information for Property Owners – contains many useful tips for post-flood cleanup
• DNR General Permit 2001-1172: Repair of Flood Damages in Public Waters

Additional resources

• Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management Spring Flooding Page
• Minnesota Pollution Control Agency – Flood guidance for wastewater treatment
• Roles of the DNR Before, During, and After Floods
• Minnesota Department of Health Flood Information
• For Seniors
  • FEMA's Seniors|Ready
  • Senior Living's disaster preparedness

Floodplain Management Minnesota: Past, Present and Future