A program of
FloodWise Community Assistance is a program of Headwaters Economics, an independent, nonprofit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions. Headwaters Economics conducts economic research, translates data and research into information that people can use, and offers policy insights to advance community solutions. Collectively, our programs advance solutions for underserved populations, particularly in rural places, and communities threatened by climate-driven disasters.
FloodWise Community Assistance provides free technical assistance and customized research to help reduce flood risk and strengthen communities. We partner with local governments and other stakeholders to support project planning, capacity building, and customized research.
Our Team
Kris Smith, Ph.D.
Kris is an applied researcher with a unique ability to understand the connections between public finance, natural resources, and economic development. As part of Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance team, Kris works with local governments and technical experts to help communities reduce flood risk.
Bridget Mitchell, PE
Bridget leads flood mitigation technical assistance at Headwaters Economics’ FloodWise Community Assistance program. She is a professional engineer with more than 20 years of experience working with communities to provide permitting, design, planning, and construction services.
Patty Hernandez
Patty Hernandez is co-founder and Executive Director of Headwaters Economics. Patty has 18 years of experience in researching economic development, building partnerships, and developing technology solutions to help communities plan and adapt to a changing world.
Kelly Pohl
Kelly is Associate Director of Headwaters Economics. With more than a decade of experience in nonprofit leadership, she oversees operations and quality control, tracks national policies, coordinates communications, and manages programs to meet organizational goals.
Nathan Kommers
Nate leads communications and media relations at Headwaters Economics. With more than two decades of experience in nonprofit, government, and corporate environments he is helping bring Headwaters’ research and expertise to those that need it most.
History
The FloodWise Community Assistance program began in 2020 with our pilot program in Three Forks, Montana. The program was created to support the efforts of rural and low-income communities working to reduce flood risk. We modeled the program after our successful Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program, which has provided free technical assistance to more than 75 communities to reduce wildfire risk.
The FloodWise Community Assistance program is affiliated with FloodWise Communities, a program of GLISA, SCIPP, Stanford University, Adaptation International, and Headwaters Economics, that tests and improves methods and technologies to engage practitioners in planning for extreme weather events and impacts on stormwater systems. FloodWise Communities is endorsed by National League of Cities, National Association of Counties, National Association of Development Organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is FloodWise Community Assistance?
The FloodWise Community Assistance program provides free technical assistance and customized research to communities across the country to decrease flood risk. FloodWise is a program of Headwaters Economics, a non-profit research group that works to improve community development and land management decisions.
Why was FloodWise Community Assistance created?
The FloodWise Community Assistance program was created to support the efforts of communities working to reduce flood risk. It began in 2020 with a pilot program in Three Forks, Montana, and is modeled after Headwaters Economics’ successful Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire (CPAW) program, which has provided free technical assistance to more than 75 communities to reduce wildfire risk.
Who funds FloodWise Community Assistance?
FloodWise Community Assistance is managed by Headwaters Economics and is supported by philanthropic funds.
Who manages FloodWise Community Assistance?
FloodWise Community Assistance is a national program of Headwaters Economics. We are affiliated with the Great Lakes Integrated Sciences and Assessments Center FloodWise Communities (FWC) program that supports communities in completing stormwater vulnerability assessments.
What are the eligibility requirements?
Any incorporated community in the U.S. can be a FloodWise community, including towns, cities, counties, or tribes. They must have authority over local land use and zoning decisions, and they should be committed to supporting the FloodWise process. HOAs, subdivisions, or other neighborhood organizations interested in the program are encouraged to contact their local planning department to pursue a community project.
What does my community receive?
Research, technical resources, coordination assistance, and a network of experts that can help identify strategies and funding sources for flood mitigation projects.
Who are the stakeholders we should include from our community?
We recommend engaging with town engineers, planners, floodplain managers, emergency managers or similar community staff. Our focus is to give decision-makers the tools and information they need.
How long does FloodWise community support last?
The range is typically 1–4 years and varies depending on the needs and capacity of the community. Most communities will receive full support from the FloodWise program for about 2 years, with a period of follow up support as flood mitigation projects get underway. The relationships we build with the community continue well beyond program timelines
Does the FloodWise program help communities with their stormwater needs?
Yes, FloodWise recognizes that community stormwater management is a key component to flood resiliency. We have worked with communities on many aspects of stormwater, including utility fee programs, stormwater management master planning, and more.
Are there restrictions on what services the FloodWise program can provide?
The FloodWise program mission is to decrease flood risk and strengthen communities. Provided the services the community needs fit under that definition, there are no restrictions. We do prioritize some projects based on financial resources available.
How much does it cost a community to participate in the FloodWise program?
FloodWise provides technical assistance to communities at no charge. We do expect a time commitment from community leaders and staff interested in advancing their flood resiliency needs.
Do you assist communities with project funding?
Yes. We work with our community partners to identify suitable funding sources. This may include applying for state and federal grants, creating local funding, and identifying funding partnerships.
What is required of my community to join the FloodWise program?
Communities sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the FloodWise program. Communities are expected to contribute staff time, commit to hosting site visits, provide planning documents, help convene stakeholders, and participate in FloodWise forums.
Does the FloodWise program provide services to individual homeowners?
No. FloodWise partners with local governments, however the projects we help coordinate often benefit homeowners.