head above the water

OFFICIAL VIRTUAL FLOOD RESOURCE GUIDE

The Event:

Saturday, June 24th, 2023 | 11am-4pm EST

Respecting Water through Art, Storytelling & Flood Risk Awareness

On Saturday, June 24th, 2023, artists Cary Michael Robinson and Nicole Salimbene, along with environmental scientists and community organizers, facilitated a day of walking/talking/making along Watts Branch & Oxon Run streams and neighborhoods. This event served as an invitation to honor the power of water through creative expression, and to learn more about the flood risks and mitigation programs/actions to protect the community and the surrounding waterways in Ward 7 and Ward 8.

Walk Leaders

Dr. Alsean Bryant, Strategic Support Team Clinical Pharmacist at the AIDS Healthcare Foundation for the DC, MD, and VA region

Dr. Travis Gallo, Assistant Professor in Urban Ecology and Conservation in the Department of Environmental Science and Technology at the University of Maryland

Brenda Richardson, Coordinator for the Anacostia Parks & Community Collaborative (APACC) & Vice-Chair of the Friends of Oxon Run Park

Cary Michael Robinson, Interdisciplinary and Mixed Media Artist.

Nicole Salimbene, Interdisciplinary Artist

Dr. Jennifer Sklarew, Assistant Professor, Energy and Sustainability Policy, Food-Energy-Water-Climate Nexus, Social Science, George Mason University

The Affiliates:

In collaborative celebration of the power of water and its impact on our communities, we want to acknowledge the incredible support from a few of our partners and organizations who share our passion for protecting our waterways! Special shoutout to all whom have helped “make a splash” to our amazing initiative, and we hope we can continue to work together to protect our precious waterways!

The PLAYLIST:

We are excited to offer you a complimentary playlist featuring carefully selected water-inspired songs to compliment our "Head Above the Water" initiative, and to enhance your experience as you explore the power of water through creative expression. 

Available on both Spotify and Apple Music, this playlist is the perfect companion for your journey along Watts Branch & Oxon Run streams and neighborhoods. From soothing melodies to energizing beats, each song has been chosen to inspire and uplift you as you connect with the natural world around you.

So put on your headphones, press play, and let the music guide you as you explore the beauty and importance of water in our lives!

The RouteS:

Click on the photos the view each of the two routes we explored on our journey to protect our waterways!

The Raffle:

"Hey, WALKers! Don't just keep the amazing memories from Head Above the Water to yourself - share them with us on Instagram!

Tag @cityaslivinglab or use the #HeadAbovetheWaterDC official event hashtag on your posts and stories to enter our raffle! We're giving away some amazing prizes like rain barrels and event merch.

But wait (there's a small catch) - you must stay until the end of either walk to be eligible to win. Rain barrel winners can pick up their prize from a location TBD.

So start snapping and sharing to show your love for our precious waterways in Ward 7 and Ward 8!

The Quiz:

Attention all Ward 7 and Ward 8 residents!

Your knowledge and experiences are essential to our mission of respecting the power of water through creative expression. We invite you to take a quick questionnaire and share with us what you know about flooding in your community.

Your input can potentially be used in an exciting project involving the creation of artwork by WALK leader and artist, Cary Michael Robinson.

Don't miss this opportunity to share your insights and be a part of something meaningful. Your participation matters!

The PHOTOS:

“Head Above the Water” is not just about walking and talking - we want to see your perspective on flood risks and mitigation programs in your neighborhood.

Whether it's photos of previous instances of flooding or areas that need attention, we want to hear from you!

Click the photo to share your photos to help us work towards a safer and stronger community.

NOTE: Your input can potentially be used in an exciting project involving the creation of artwork by WALK leader and artist, Cary Michael Robinson.

The Resources:

Hey there, Ward 7 and 8 residents! We know that the thought of flooding can be a bit alarming, but don't worry - we've got you covered!

Our team has gathered some super helpful resources that will make you feel like a pro when it comes to flood preparedness.


From tips on how to protect your home to emergency preparedness kits, we've got everything you need to stay safe and sound. Plus, our community organizers are always ready to answer your questions, share their flood survival stories, and provide you and your community with the guidance you need to stay safe and secure.

Don't let flooding catch you off guard. Take advantage of the resources we’ve made available to you and be prepared for whatever comes your way. Visit the links today and take the first step towards a safer, more secure future for your community!

ACCESS THE FLOODPLAIN MAP


TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU LIVE ON THE FLOOD RISK MAP & TO SUBMIT STORIES OF FLOODING TO THE DOEE


Insure Your Property:

Floods are the most common and costly natural disaster, so it’s important to have the right coverage. Homeowners and renter’s insurance usually don’t cover flood damage, so it may be smart to purchase flood insurance. It can take up to 30 days to take effect, so now’s the time to buy.  

• Protect your home or business with flood insurance Call 1-800-427-4661 to find an agent. 

• Are you a renter? Protect your belongings with contents coverage  

• Photograph your property for insurance purposes. 

National Flood Insurance Program Video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcLmDiF9LOY&list=PLwVWUpQJ7PLj0tS1Mk5Q_bnsAmVZhHmYQ&index=5

How to Purchase Flood Insurance:

https://www.floodsmart.gov/flood-insurance-provider?field_femaflsm_ip_states_value=District%20of%20Columbia%20-%20DC&items_per_page=10

Prepare Your Home

• Protect eletrical equipment from flooding: Locate electrical equipment and other machinery above the base flood elevation of your home to prevent costly repairs. If you have a crawlspace that floods, keep at least two openings with one (1) square inch of opening per square foot of enclosed area with the bottom of those openings no higher than one (1) foot above the exterior finished grade.

• Check with a professional to: raise your furnace, water heater, and/or electric panel to floors that are less likely to be flooded. An undamaged water heater may be your best source of fresh water after a flood. For more information, visit the American Red Cross' Flood Safety page.

• Reduce non-absorbent surfaces around your home: Even if you do not live near water, you may be at risk of flooding if surfaces around your home do not absorb stormwater effectively. The Permeable Surface Rebate Program encourages residents to mitigate stormwater runoff and pollution by removing non-absorbent surfaces and replace them with permeable pavement or re-vegetating them to reduce and/or treat stormwater runoff on their property for a rebate.

• Store important document safely: Save copies of important documents in a safe, dry place. Consider keeping original documents in a watertight safety deposit box on a higer floor in your home and/or keep copies of your documents electronically in a cloud so you do not lose access to them.

• Deflect water from your home: If your property experiences minor flooding, consider re-grading the yard so that water flows away from your property. Additionally, consider storing sandbags at your residence because if there is enough advance notice of a storm/flood, you can place them in vulnerable areas (such as doors and basement windows) to deflect water.

• Remove debris from gutters and downspouts. 

• Clear debris from catch basins. Report clogged catch basins to 311.  

• Prune trees and shrubs.

Sign-up for Flood Smart Homes:

https://doee.dc.gov/service/floodsmart-homes 

Free Home Resilience Assessment, Free Installation of Flood Proofing and Resilience Upgrades.  Here are some examples of home resilience upgrades that may be recommended in the Assessment and ultimately installed by DOEE and its contractors to the homeowner are as follows:

• Mitigation warning kits with weather radios and water intrusion alarms

• Electrical outlet elevation and/or replacement with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlets

• Installation of anchoring straps on water heaters, heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, and other appliances located below the design flood elevation

• Sealing of HVAC ducts to prevent water damage and mold growth

• Sump pumps

• Removable flood barriers

• Sewer backflow prevention valves

• Elevation of outdoor mechanical and electrical equipment

• Flood vents in crawlspace walls to relieve water pressure and prevent damage

How to Reduce Flood Risk to Your Property Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQ5p2qmZwoU&list=PLwVWUpQJ7PLj0tS1Mk5Q_bnsAmVZhHmYQ&index=6

From The American Red Cross

Imagine someone handing you $50, or even $100 when you buy and plant a tree in your yard… Well, that’s what we’re doing at Casey Trees! Never before has adding a tree been so cost-effective — especially if you consider long term benefits such as lowered heating and utility bills.

CLICK THE BANNER TO SIGN-UP FOR FLOOD ALERTS WITH ALERTDC

 

Video Series for Watts Branch Flooding:

Flooding in the District: Ep. 4 Part I – Understanding Flood Risk in Watts Branch:

Flooding in the District: Ep. 4 Part II – Watts Branch Modeled Options

Flooding in the District: Ep. 4 Part III – Watts Branch Study Recommendations:

The Connection:

Hey there residents and participants! If you're interested in staying connected to flood resources, seeing what other exciting projects we have in store, offering feedback, or making contributions to continue this project, we've got you covered! Simply fill out the form and we'll make sure to connect you with the right resources. Let's keep the momentum going and continue to honor and protect the power of water in our communities.

Thanks for being a part of this incredible experience!