Using Multi-Objective Management to Reduce Flood Losses in Your

Executive Summary
This guidebook was written for citizens and local officials who have a flood problem
but have not yet found a solution. It capitalizes on the realization that the traditional,
single-issue approach to flood protection has not always been efficient or effective,
and can take years to implement. Furthermore, people pursuing single issues-like
flood control-have often found themselves competing with other local interests and
may increase related problems or create new ones.
This guidebook explains a proven approach to reduce flood losses and
simultaneously address other community concerns. The approach is called “multiobjective
management” or “M-O-M.” It succeeds because it coordinates flood loss
reduction with other community needs and goals to develop a stronger, more
comprehensive program.
There is nothing magical about the multi-objective management approach. The
basic idea is to get together everyone with a concern or problem that has the potential
to affect or be affected by the flood problem. It requires communication between
different parties and it capitalizes on the technical and financial help that is already
available from government agencies and private organizations.
There are six basic guidelines to the M-O-M approach:
• Keep your effort locally based.
• Understand your flood problem and its relationship to the watershed.
• Think broadly about possible solutions to reduce flood losses.
• Coordinate flood loss reduction with other community needs, plans,
and activities.
• Obtain expert advice and assistance.
• Build a partnership by developing a plan.
There are four basic strategies for reducing flood losses, and each
incorporates different measures that are appropriate for different conditions.
• Prevention measures like planning, land acquisition, and regulations help
modify development on floodplains and watersheds to reduce susceptibility to
flood damage. Preventive measures are usually administered by the building,
zoning, planning, and/or code enforcement offices of your local government.
• Property protection measures are usually undertaken by property owners
themselves. They include elevating a building, building small barriers,
floodproofing, raising utilities, and buying insurance.
• Emergency services minimize the impact of a flood that is already happening.
They are the responsibility of city or county emergency management staff and
the operators of major or critical facilities. They include warnings and
emergency response.
• Structural projects keep flood waters away from an area with a levee,
reservoir, or other measure that controls the flow of water. Structural projects
are usually designed by engineers and managed by public works staff.
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