The NYSFSMA Board of Directors hopes that you had a great summer.

While most people were either on vacation or beating the heat, NYSFSMA was hard at work on several projects. We had several successful webinars and lunch and learns with more coming up. Be sure to check our website for updated information.

Speaking of webinars, we know that many of you were very interested in taking our training on the 2025 Uniform Code Update – SLR & RFE in Zone X (Shaded). We know this is a critical topic for our membership and floodplain managers throughout New York State. We sincerely apologize that this event had to be postponed. Unfortunately, due to delays in the technical guidance approval process, DEC is unable to offer training on this topic at this time. We plan to reschedule as soon as possible and anticipate being able to present this fall.

NYSFSMA has contracted with a professional videographer to develop a short educational video utilizing our Ward's Floodplain and Stormwater model. When completed this video can be used to instruct viewers on how to use the model. It also teaches various concepts around development in the floodplain and how that impacts riparian areas. Next up, NYSFSMA plans on creating 3D interactive images of our Lego Elevation Certification Diagram models. NYSFSMA understands that transporting the models can be difficult. The Ward’s model has a new home in a more central location in Albany. Thank you, Ramboll Engineering, for agreeing to host our model! Our hope is that these video projects will be able to show important educational concepts without the need to travel long distances and increase the amount they are borrowed for live action trainings. If you are interested in borrowing either the Ward’s Model or the Lego models reach out to us and we’ll make the arrangements.

Save the date! The 2027 NYSFSMA Annual Conference will be held on May 3-5 in Saratoga Springs, NY. Additionally, the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) is holding their 2027 Annual Conference in Pittsburgh, PA from May 23-May 27. This is within driving distance for many of our members here in New York State. We hope that you will be able to attend this conference and learn what floodplain and stormwater managers from across the country are up to. It really is a valuable experience.

While record breaking heat was perhaps the story of the summer in most of the country, there were pockets of flooding, some severe, throughout the nation. Almost exactly a year after flooding that took the lives of 130 people including many young campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, Texas Hill Country once again experienced even greater flooding. However, this year, while property damage is greater, there have only been two confirmed deaths. Better planning and mitigation have gone a long way to improve flooding outcomes in the Lone Star State. See our article on this year’s Texas flooding to learn more.

Much of the Midwest was not so lucky. Wide-spread historic flooding occurred there, particularly in the state of Indiana, after a derecho hit the region. The State of Hawaii also experienced catastrophic flooding after being hit by Hurricane Lala. This comes just a few months after a Kona Low weather system caused widespread flooding in the islands. Internationally, 1,365 people are dead and over 5,000 are missing in Nepal after a melting glacier sent a surge of glacial floodwater mixed with mud, rocks, ice and other debris downstream resulting in one of the worst natural disasters in that country’s history.

Closer to home, much of upstate New York experienced flooding this summer washing out roads, inundating houses, and tragically taking lives. While perhaps not nearly as widespread or record-breaking as the flooding in Texas, Indiana, Hawaii, or Nepal, the flooding here in New York proves that even relatively “minor” flooding can yield consequential and tragic results.

Finally, late August and early September marked the 15-year anniversary of when Hurricanes Irene and Lee impacted much of upstate New York, causing record flooding and catastrophic damage, some of which remains to this day. Be sure to see our link to an article with a retrospective on this natural disaster that changed much of upstate New York forever.

As the heat of the summer transitions to the cool of autumn, we hope that you continue to stay vigilant to the dangers of flooding.

Yours in floodplain and stormwater management,

The NYSFSMA Board of Directors