Baseline Modeling - Phase 3 of RBFS includes comprehensive baseline flood modeling across the highest-risk watersheds to support planning, mitigation, and informed decision-making. The developed models provide a consistent, data-driven foundation for understanding how water moves across Texas landscapes during major storm events. Using best available hydrologic, hydraulic, and coastal data, the models simulate rainfall, runoff, riverine flooding, and coastal surge interactions.
The Baseline Modeling SOP establishes a unified, technically rigorous framework for developing baseline hydrologic, hydraulic, and coastal flood models across all the RBFS regions. The procedures ensure consistency, defensibility, and alignment with industry review standards and define requirements for model setup, calibration, and validation that guide the regions through every modeling milestone.
Funding and Technical Assistance (FTA) – the initiative of this phase connects communities with the programs, partners, and tools needed to transform flood mitigation concepts into fundable, implementable projects. The technical snapshot outlines the support provided to strengthen project competitiveness through avenues such as funding identification, cost-share strategies and coordination with other State and Federal agencies.
The Hot Spot Analysis SOP provides a standardized, GIS-based method for rapidly identifying localized flood risk “hot spots” by evaluating structural, roadway, and agricultural exposure using the baseline conditions modeling outputs. It defines required datasets, analytical procedures and spatial aggregation techniques including the use of hexagonal grids and Social Vulnerability Index (SOVI) overlays to consistently highlight areas with significant flood impacts.
Technical Process – a structured overview of the technical process used across RBFS, detailing how regions collect data, engage stakeholders, and conduct comprehensive flood-risk assessments to establish priority areas. It highlights the progression from baseline and advanced flood modeling to the refinement of high-risk “Hot Spots” and the development of targeted structural and non-structural mitigation projects. Finally, it outlines available funding pathways and technical guidance designed to support communities in their implementation of effective, data-driven flood resilient solutions.