Prince George’s County Releases Annual Evaluation Report on Hazard Mitigation Plan Flood-Related Action Items

PRESS RELEASE

For immediate release:
October 21, 2024

For more information, contact:
Linda Lowe, Director of Communications 
Department of the Environment
lmlowe@co.pg.md.us; (301) 836-2115 (cell)

Prince George’s County Releases Annual Evaluation Report on Hazard Mitigation Plan Flood-Related Action Items
The report outlines the County’s flood-related activities and progress

Largo, MD – The Prince George’s County Department of the Environment (DoE) invites residents to view the Annual Evaluation Report (2024 Progress Report) on flood mitigation actions outlined in Prince George’s County and City of Laurel Hazard Mitigation Plan 2023. The Annual Evaluation Report and the 2023 Hazard Mitigation Plan will be available for review at DoE’s Sustainability Division, 1800 McCormick Drive, Suite 500, Largo, and online at Annual Evaluation Report.

The Annual Evaluation Report outlines the County’s activities, accomplishments, and progress on flood-related action items in the Hazard Mitigation Plan. These flood-related actions include:

Collect flood depth information to support a grant to provide elevation certificates in areas newly included in the Special Flood Hazard Area or to those experiencing flooding issues to support Letter of Map Amendments (LOMA) or NFIP premium reductions.  
 

• Require County Stormwater Management (SWM) Standards to Incorporate Projected Climate Change Impacts by using approved downscaled and up-to-date climate impact information to reevaluate peak rainfall estimates and future design storm profiles. Evaluate SWM standards using this criterion at least every three (3) years. All upgrades to County storm drain systems and Capital Improvement Project roadway, bridge, culvert, and stormwater management repair or renovation projects are required to meet these updated climate-resilient design criteria. 
   
• Support mitigation projects that will result in the protection of public or private property from natural hazards. Eligible projects include but are not limited to: 1. acquisition of hazard-prone property or structures 2. Elevation of flood-prone structures 3. Minor structural flood control projects 4. Relocation of structures from hazard-prone areas 5. Retrofitting of existing buildings, facilities, and infrastructure 6. Retrofitting of existing buildings and facilities for shelters 7. Critical infrastructure protection measures 8. Stormwater management improvements 9. Advanced warning and hazard gauging systems (weather radios, reverse-911, stream gauges, I-flows) 10. Targeted hazard education 11. Wastewater and water supply system hardening and mitigation.
• Implement proposed flood mitigation projects from the upcoming watershed study for the Collington Branch Stream.
   
• Conduct a study to determine the feasibility of creating a stormwater park/greenway (or another watershed- or landscape-scale flood risk reduction project) that will improve natural floodplain functions in areas of high risk.
   
• Conduct a Countywide Flood Assessment (including pluvial mapping) to understand the impact of updated rainfall intensity estimates per the latest version of NOAA Atlas 14, recent elevation data, and stormwater controls. Identify priority areas for mitigation projects and update the stormwater ordinance as needed.
   
• Develop structural and action plans with inundation mapping for all high-hazard potential dams with poor conditions and no emergency action plans. Develop structural and action plans for high-risk pump stations, levees, and other flood control infrastructure. Ensure a process for supporting affected "downflow" communities that a dam failure hazard would inundate.
   
• Implement stormwater management projects, such as drainage retrofits, to address stormwater flooding in community-identified areas. 
   
• Update the Upper Marlboro Emergency Response Plan to address flooding, including evacuation, emergency response, mitigation, etc. 
   
• Continue the annual flood risk awareness and mitigation mailing to all owners of high-risk properties in the Special Flood Hazard Area, including repetitive loss/severe repetitive loss structures. Provide additional outreach in response to new/upcoming grant opportunities and funding. 
   

For more information on the Annual Evaluation Report or the Hazard Mitigation Plan, contact Dawn Hawkins-Nixon, Associate Director, Sustainability Services Division, at (301) 883-5839.

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