Taylor Engineering has performed FEMA flood insurance studies (FIS) in 19 parishes and counties in Louisiana and Texas. These detailed analyses of riverine and coastal flood hazards included storm surge, erosion, and wave modeling in tidal areas; stream channel topographic surveys and basin-wide hydrologic and hydraulic modeling (rural and urban). Models applied for these studies include HEC-1, HEC-2, HEC-HMS, UNET, AdICPR, HEC-RAS, and SWMM models in riverine analyses and WHAFIS, RUNUP, and EROSION for coastal analyses. For the East Baton Rouge Parish FIS, Taylor Engineering performed steady and unsteady analyses for over 100 miles of streams in rural and urban areas.

As part of FEMA's Coastal Disaster Response in Louisiana after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Taylor Engineering is currently working on the new Flood Insurance Studies for Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, St. Mary, Tangipahoa, and Vermilion Parishes. These comprehensive, countywide engineering analyses of coastal flood hazards include storm surge, storm setup, wave statistics, and wave modeling in tidal areas. Communities use the final product - a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map - to administer the National Flood Insurance Program.

To expedite and enhance the setup of coastal wave height models, Taylor Engineering developed Coastal Analyst, a set of GIS extensions that incorporate LiDAR terrain data, vegetation parameters, 2-D AdCIRC/JPM coastal storm surge model results, wave setup, and other data into WHAFIS model transects. The integration of GIS and coastal modeling tools allows us to efficiently set up and run tools that map coastal flooding. Coastal Analyst also includes the application of FEMA's EROSION and RUNUP models to compute erosion of primary frontal dunes and wave runup on structures.

Taylor Engineering has also developed DFIRM Tacklebox, a set of fully automated GIS tools that streamline the creation of DFIRMs. Through DFIRM Tacklebox, Taylor Engineering efficiently populates geodatabases in DFIRM format, automates label placement of flood hazard zones in DFIRM specifications, and produces print-ready DFIRMs. Taylor Engineering's continued development of advanced GIS tools allows for greater overall efficiency and product quality, without compromising engineering judgment.

As part of FEMA's Map Modernization effort, Taylor Engineering has completed or is currently developing DFIRMs in Tennessee, Florida, and Kentucky.  These efforts include extensive public involvement and community interaction. Taylor Engineering works closely with FEMA and the communities to produce the best maps within budget and schedule requirements. We believe good communication must accompany great engineering to ensure communities can understand and use the resulting information and maps.