GIS Hazard Mapping and Disaster Preparedness in Barbados

1. GIS Hazard Mapping and Disaster Preparedness in Barbados Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar June 30th,2006 Ramon Roach Water Quality Analyst Marine Department CZMU Barbados

2. Overview • Hazard Mapping • Traditional Hazard Mapping • GIS Hazard Mapping • Is it Necessary? • HM in Barbados • Flood Hazard Mapping • Analytical Results • Applications for HM in Barbados • Disaster Management • Long-Term Planning Way Forward UVI, 2006 Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

3. Hazard Mapping • Definition: • Process of establishing geographically where and to what extent particular phenomena are likely to pose a threat to people, property, infrastructure and economic activities. • Traditionally using paper maps. • Modeling Hazard Scenarios • Evaluate effects • Frequency of occurrence • Duration of event • Intensity of event Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

4. GIS Hazard Mapping • Digital Implementation of Hazard Mapping • Geographic Information Systems (GIS) • Software Packages • ESRI ArcView • Mapmaker • Advantages Over Paper Maps • Easier to update • Automated spatial analysis • Straightforward data management • Easier to distribute • Interoperable with other data types • Effective multi-hazard mapping Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

5. LACLLA (2005) Hazard Mapping • Why produce hazard maps? • Current and projected environmental hazards make them essential • Hurricanes • Tsunamis • Climate Change • Sea Level Rise • Improves decision making • Improves planning effectiveness

6. Flood Hazard Mapping in Barbados • DELCAN Atlantic Coast Study • 1:100yr storm model • Wave runup • Contour map elevations • Disruption of services and commerce • Banking • Utilities Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

7. Flood Hazard Mapping in Barbados • Flood Model Results • 6,000 residences along the west and south coasts • 70% of west coast hotels • Emergency Shelters • St. Lawrence Church • St. Christopher’s School • Payne’s Bay Methodist Church • Police Stations • Worthing Police Station • Central Police Station • Holetown Police Station 7 Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

8. Applications for Hazard Mapping in Barbados • Disaster Management Planning • Emergency Services • Evacuation Routes • Nearest “safe” shelter depending on type or scale of environmental hazard • Number of persons displaced and excess housing required • Basic services required following a disaster • Sanitation • Drinking water • Food serc.carleton.edu Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

9. Applications for Hazard Mapping in Barbados • Long-term Development Planning • Building Setbacks • CZMU beach and cliff setbacks • Minimum building elevations (TCPDO) • Relocation or retrofitting of essential services • Utilities • Emergency Shelters • Police Stations Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

10. Applications for Hazard Mapping in Barbados • Insurance Rate Calculation • Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMS) • Insurance rate based on flood vulnerability • Rates adjusted depending on base flood elevation (BFE) and freeboard • Promotes improved building practices www.ci.central-point.or.us Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006

11. The Way Forward • Detailed Multi-Hazard Mapping Study for the coast • Various hazard scenarios including tsunamis and sea level rise • Tiered response systems and mitigation strategies based on hazard severity • Holistic approach to hazard management • Improved inter-agency cooperation • Long-term mitigation strategies incorporated into development planning Coastal Planning for Disaster Management Seminar – June 30, 2006