Changing weather patterns, predictions of future conditions, and FIRMs that show flood risk based on past events necessitated the creation of a map product to communicate the flood risk beyond the 100-year floodplain. The BFE+3’ up and out methodology is meant to convey that risk by adding three feet of water on top of the base flood elevation (vertically) and pushing this volume of water out horizontally. It projects a larger volume storm than the 100-year storm and in Maryland’s coastal areas, it shows where the 100-year floodplain could be by 2050. The advantage of the BFE+3’ up and out method is that it can generate flood depths beyond the floodplain, making it a powerful tool when conveying the flood risk in areas outside the 100-year floodplain.

The BFE+3’ Up and Out methodology will produce map products that can be used to communicate the risk of flooding for properties outside the 100-year floodplain by adding three feet of water on top of the BFE, vertically, and pushing this volume of water out horizontally. An advantage of the BFE+3’ maps is that it will show flood depths beyond the 100-year floodplain. Comparatively, adding a 3’ freeboard to the BFE only accounts for the vertical rise and does not address what would happen to the rest of that volume of water in terms of horizontal spread. Because the BFE ends at the boundary of the 100-year floodplain, the areas beyond it are without identified flood depths. BFE+3’ up and out will resolve that issue. BFE+3’ maps quantify the flood risk beyond the floodplain

Changing weather patterns, predictions of future conditions, and FIRMs that show flood risk based on past events necessitated the creation of a map product to communicate the flood risk beyond the 100-year floodplain. The BFE+3’ up and out methodology is meant to convey that risk by adding three feet of water on top of the base flood elevation (vertically) and pushing this volume of water out horizontally. It projects a larger volume storm than the 100-year storm and in Maryland’s coastal areas, it shows where the 100-year floodplain could be by 2050. The advantage of the BFE+3’ up and out method is that it can generate flood depths beyond the floodplain, making it a powerful tool when conveying the flood risk in areas outside the 100-year floodplain.

The BFE+3’ Up and Out methodology will produce map products that can be used to communicate the risk of flooding for properties outside the 100-year floodplain by adding three feet of water on top of the BFE, vertically, and pushing this volume of water out horizontally. An advantage of the BFE+3’ maps is that it will show flood depths beyond the 100-year floodplain. Comparatively, adding a 3’ freeboard to the BFE only accounts for the vertical rise and does not address what would happen to the rest of that volume of water in terms of horizontal spread. Because the BFE ends at the boundary of the 100-year floodplain, the areas beyond it are without identified flood depths. BFE+3’ up and out will resolve that issue. BFE+3’ maps quantify the flood risk beyond the floodplain