• Vision
• Mapping Successes
• National Program Metrics
• FAQs

Mapping Successes: The Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project (TSARP )

• Case Concentration
• Scope
• Mapping
• Outreach Activities
• Outreach Tools
• Best Practices Followed and Developed

Outreach:

Tools

• Website development: The TSARP web page (www.tsarp.org) promotes products, such as a TSARP presentation and a report – educational resources available to the general public. The TSARP web pages are regularly referenced during stakeholder meetings and presentations. The hurricane tracking chart distributed in 2002 prominently promoted the website.
• Publications: A hard copy of the Tropical Storm Allison Public Report, “Off The Charts” is available to the public. The TSARP promoted the web address in the publication to encourage property owners and other stakeholders to visit the site regularly. This easy to read publication, oriented to the general public’s interest and comprehension level of multiple components of flood hazard mapping, floodplain management, flooding, and flood insurance, was published one year after the flood. Significantly, the local newspaper, “The Houston Chronicle,” agreed to distribute 380,000 copies of the report as in insert in the newspaper's plastic sleeve to home subscribers. To reach those segments of the public who do not subscribe to the local paper, the TSARP worked with a large local grocery store chain, the HEB, to distribute a Hurricane Guide. The TSARP also distributed guides in Spanish using a mailing list of Spanish-speaking households provided by the newspaper partner.

  Lessons Learned: The HCFCD learned that printing the “Off the Charts” document in Spanish was costly, and its distribution may not have reached their targeted audience. Several obstacles became apparent: many of the Spanish speakers did not read Spanish. The HCFCD received about 200 calls from English speakers complaining they received a Spanish version of the document. Although it was a lesson learned for the HCFCD, the HCFCD still aimed to provide everyone in the community a printed, readable version of the guide.

• The HCFCD Communications Department visited every community within Harris County, including city council meetings or to the city or local government. This fostered support for communities signing FEMA’s Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) agreement.
• A Public Outreach Consultant, who has a great relationship with the media, was hired from a public relations firm. Houstonians understand flooding but didn’t have an understanding of flood maps, so this was an important, but contentious issue.

Polling: The public relations consultant encouraged staff to poll citizens about mapping and re-mapping. The poll was unique in that it sought to educate respondents while gathering feedback. The PR firm hired a pollster to develop a survey with the TSARP and to call about 500 homeowners. Interviews were extensive – about 20 minutes; however, they received incredible feedback. Eighty-two percent of the people supported the effort at the end of the interview after they were educated through the phone, while 4% opposed it for one reason or another. The feedback from the interviews guided the public relations consultant in developing the messages. The poll found that people in Harris County know that it floods and were interested in having accurate information about flood hazards. The poll showed the public thought that “risk assessment” information is important. At first, citizens questioned the use of resources for the massive mapping endeavor, then the pollster educated them about the value of today’s technology in contrast to the extremely outdated technology used 20 years ago. People soon understood and supported the idea that new, more accurate maps would help HCFCD reduce flooding in the future.

• Messages: The TSARP designs present clear and concise messages, and are customized for specific audiences.
• Training: The TSARP works with local NFIP staff to develop training courses for insurance agents. Many residents incorrectly believe insurance agents determine flood insurance rates and do not associate flood insurance with FEMA or HCFCD. Insurance agents sometimes do not know about flood insurance or the FIRMs. The TSARP assembled broad coalitions to sponsor training courses. For instance, the TSARP contacted with an insurance representative who worked with the governor to ensure top-down support. TSARP concurrently conducted outreach and grass roots initiatives to gain support from the bottom up.
• Upcoming Community Meetings: In 2003, the TSARP created a comprehensive strategy for community meetings.
• Press Releases: The ultimate goal was to distribute and gain acceptance of the maps. The communication staff provided the basis for numerous news stories to the “The Houston Chronicle” during the rollout.
• Presentations: The HCFCD actively pursued and responded to requests to present information on the TSARP. The TSARP presented to the students of Sam Houston State University and community organizations. The staff at HCFCD and TSARP made presentations a priority to build support.