FloodGraphic: A site and elevation specific flood history, warning, and data collection capable sign and a methodology for deployment of the sign

Abstract

The method of FloodGraphic graphically present location specific topographic and flood hazard data, including time-sensitive NWS watches and warnings inclusive of site-specific forecast flood depths via an array of particularly shaped and colored, site-specifically annotated, video-capable signs

The signs include vertical gradations in feet or meters in full scale presenting the elevation of the site, historic, and predicted future flood levels, specific to the location of each FG installation. FloodGraphic headquarters administers a program of information accumulation, vetting, information dissemination and management of installations.

The method achieves a standard nationwide array of warning signs.

The FloodGraphic method provides information and warning of actual past and forecast flood heights at a multiplicity of locations more effectively than any existing method by presenting data at each installation with reference to the grade level and a National Datum. No linking to or differentiation between the flood watch and flood warnings of the NWS is provided by any prior art.

Claims

1) a method for visually providing to individuals in flood prone communities historic flood information, the level of the 100 year recurrence interval flood as forecast by the US Federal Emergency Management Agency and to automatically display flood watches and warnings as issued by the US National Weather Service, in an accurate spatial relationship to the ground level at each of an array of specific sites, wherein the method comprises: The outdoor display in communities of special hazard of an array of signs, titled FloodGraphic and FloodGraphic-Dynamic, indicating elevations of historic and future floods relative to the North American Vertical Datum (NAVD) at the point of installation of each sign as established by a state-licensed Professional Engineer, architect, or Land Surveyor on a graduated full scale post or pole, particularly and consistently annotated with text and variable colors (red, yellow, black, and green) to emphasize variable flood risk frequencies and site specific elevations in the North American vertical datum (NAVD) or in the National Vertical Geodetic Datum where either such datum is in use in Flood Insurance Rate Maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and incorporation of standardization in the sign design and functionality to facilitate its deployment in consistent format throughout the USA, thereby establishing a standardized, readily recognizable warning device.

2) the method of claim 1, whereby the information displayed on the signs is provided by a centralized /headquarters organization which: Performs Design Development for the FloodGraphic and FloodGraphic-Dynamic Signs, develops the specifics of the incorporated technologies, to include printing stock & methods for FG, printing stock & methods for FG-D, Electronics design and licensing of incorporated technologies and services, cost estimating, manufacturing, distribution & installation costs, and performs administration, development, & management for the FloodGraphic and FloodGraphic-Dynamic Signs, educates prospective beneficiaries and service providers/ vendors as to the existence, mechanics and prospective benefits of the program, seeks blanket/bulk approvals from governmental agencies for installations; e.g., state/county/local governments, seeks amendments to FEMA's prototype Community Floodplain Management Ordinance that meets or exceeds the minimum NFIP criteria to authorize FG & FG-D on municipal property after review by a designated official, accumulates, vets and qualifies historic flood data for flood-prone areas and tabulates the data in a database searchable by latitude and longitude, defines necessary implementation services & related Consultant fees payable in the implementation of FloodGraphic and FloodGraphic-Dynamic signs, including: site Identification & Proposal of Installation; e.g., to a preparer of a FEMA Flood Certificate, the proposing engineer, surveyor or architect or similarly qualified party who submits a Proposal of a site for FG &/or FG-D installation, aggregation and evaluation of requests for installation of FloodGraphic and/or FloodGraphic-Dynamic signs through vetting of Proposals as above, to include extraction of appropriate data from the database to be presented on FG sign and type of sign to be installed; e.g., to FG HQ or a qualified Subcontractor, layout production and transportation of the sign e.g., to FG HQ or a qualified Subcontractor, receiving and Installation of the sign blank and sign face by the installer, e.g. a local county or state highway department, observation, verification, initialization and reporting of completed installation by the proposing engineer, surveyor or architect, i) performs cost accounting, billing and reporting financial results, performs cost estimating/ budgeting of necessary implementation services, defines of required Revenues to support implementation identifies & solicits prospective sources of revenue (beneficiaries), contracts with beneficiaries for the income stream to support implementation, contracts with vendors analyzes of program costs & benefits prepares proposals for modifications to improve program costs & benefits, aggregates and evaluates historic data and warning data, manages data selection, production, delivery and installation of FloodGraphic and or FloodGraphic-Dynamic signs, communicates flood watches and warnings to the signs receives flood data from the signs, updates the display on the signs based on historic events and changes in the elevation of the 100 year flood as may be determined/dictated by FEMA, and maintains a record of installation and data on and received from each sign.

3) The the method of claim 1, whereby the centralized database/headquarters as claimed in claim 2 is charged with accumulation and retention of location of installations of the sign as claimed in claim 1 and historic flood records detected and reported as in claims 10-19, inclusive.

4) the method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the use of color to distinguish between elevations above and below the 100 year flood as established by The Flood Insurance Rate Maps of the National Flood Insurance Program.

5) The method of claim 1, whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise utilization of wireless intercommunication capabilities with the centralized database/headquarters of claim 2.

6) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the ability to detect and record static and dynamic depths of flooding at its location through electronic pressure measurement, electrical resistivity measurement, or other electronic means.

7) the method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise and are capable of presentation of a variable message display, dependent upon inputs from the centralized database/headquarters of claim 2 via wireless communication.

8) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the capability to present variable time-sensitive color displays via Solid-state lighting as described in this Specification with such displays being indicative of Flood Watches and/or Flood Warnings as issued by the National Weather Service or equivalent, to a specific elevation.

9) the method of claim 1, whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the ability to present variable displays indicative of changes in historic floods.

10) the method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the ability to present variable time-sensitive color displays indicative of changes in future flood warnings, e.g., revisions in Government flood insurance rate map (FIRM) 100 year floods.

11) the method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the ability to present a variable color display, transitioning from yellow to red, from the bottom of the sign at grade level to the elevation of a forecast flood over a period of seconds of time in repetitious fashion as a means of an announcement of imminent flood warning to the level indicated by the uppermost extent of the red color as described in this Specification.

12) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the ability to consist of a printed electronic surface incorporating Solid-state lighting.

13) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the ability to utilize organic field-effect transistors, organic light-emitting diodes and integrated circuits to achieve the variable display.

14) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the ability to incorporate and utilize a solar panel or organic photovoltaic cells & battery.

15) The method of claim 1 whereby the sign as claimed in claim 1 further comprises the ability to incorporate and utilize integrated control circuits.

16) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the ability to incorporate and utilize electroluminescent multicolor displays to achieve the variable display.

17) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprise the incorporation of radio-frequency identification.

18) The method of claim 1 whereby the signs as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the incorporate ability to Automatic Identification and Data Capture.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0190] FIG. 1 (sheet 1 of 5) is an elevation view of a typical FloodGraphic sign.

[0191] It is not a structure but rather is a display, printed on a suitable media if fixed, or thin film electronic media in the electronic version. It It comprises a vertical placard approximately 3 inches in width, or diameter if in a cylindrical application, and of thickness, if planar, as necessary to comprise sufficient structural strength to resist natural forces and vandalism. In the planar version it may be mounted on an existing signpost or sign pole. If freestanding, it may be mounted upon a cylindrical pole, a rectangular tubular pole, or other geometric shape providing structural support. The width and graphics may vary if the target audience (e.g., motorists on a roadway) would require larger graphics to achieve comprehension. The height of each FG sign is dependent on the flood hazard statistics particular to each installation and is variable to achieve complete display of relevant topographic and flood hazard data.

[0192] The vertical scale and gradations are specific to each site with the grade elevation corresponding to the actual NVGD elevation of the ground at the base of the sign.

[0193] FIG. 2 (sheet 2 of 5) illustrates a typical FloodGraphic sign as might be viewed by residents/visitors of the community in which an array of such signs are located.

[0194] FIG. 3 (sheet 3 of 5) illustrates how surveyors utilizing conventional field survey equipment might determine site elevations in advance of preparation of site-specific data to include the elevation where a particular sign might be installed, which data would be communicated with the FloodGraphic Headquarters witch prepares the site-specific data to be presented on the particular sign configured for the specific location.

[0195] FIG. 4 (sheet 4 of 5) illustrates the organizational aspects of the FloodGraphic method any interactive relationships between FloodGraphic Headquarters, entities with which it interacts, and the array of FloodGraphic signs.

[0196] FIG. 5 (sheet 5 of 5 illustrates electronic communication paths between FloodGraphic Headquarters the FloodGraphic-Dynamic signs and the governmental agencies. It additionally depicts the electronic components contained within the thin-film electronically printed FloodGraphic-Dynamic signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0197] FloodGraphic is a method of communicating the spatial variability of flood zone information, particularly the physical elevation or height above the ground of the 100 year flood and historic flood data with respect to the height above the ground within a flood prone community through an array of signs at multiple locations, which signs are produced, installed, monitored, and managed by a central headquarters, FloodGraphic Headquarters (FG HQ).

[0198] By virtue of a multiplicity of such signs within a given flood prone community, residents and visitors to such communities are exposed to graphic information that quickly and perceptibly communicates the risk of flood within the community, and especially the variability of such risk derivative from variations in topography.

[0199] In the event of issuance of flood warnings and or flood watches by US government agencies, the FloodGraphic-dynamic version of the FloodGraphic signs, under management of FG HQ will communicate via video like changes in appearance, the height above the ground to which floodwaters are forecast at each specific location of each FloodGraphic sign, thereby reinforcing public awareness of the variability of flood risk derivative from variations in topography.

[0200] The FloodGraphic method of flood warning provides education to the public of flood history and future flood risk as a function of local topography. It provides warnings of past floods and, in the case of FloodGraphic-Dynamic, communicates forecasts of future floods which forecasts and warnings are location and depth specific. No warning system in existence presently communicates the vertical extent of historic or forecast future flooding above the ground at a given specific location. No warning system in existence sets forth the actual elevation of the site as determined by a professional engineer or land surveyor, and historic and future flood levels, or in the Dynamic version, time- and location-specific depth of flood warning information.

[0201] As a consequence of deployment of FloodGraphic and FloodGraphic-Dynamic within flood sensitive locales the public will suffer fewer losses, and thus save money. Insurers and governments will likewise suffer fewer losses and save money. Social disruptions as a consequence of flooding will be reduced. Recovery periods as a consequence of flooding will be shortened.

[0202] Examination of FEMA FIRMS shows that the level of flood waters varies over distances within which considerable topographic variations exist, resulting in depths of flooding within an area of flooding that varies strictly as a consequence of topography. Closely spaced FloodGraphic signs serve to communicate that variation to the public, enabling a perception of locations of greater and lesser susceptibility to flooding within a given flood area.

[0203] Such variations in topography are frequently known only to those with long experience with flooding in a given flood prone community; visitors, particularly visitors in resort communities, which resort communities are commonly proximate to sea coasts, estuaries and rivers, are often unaware of the variability of flood risk derivative from variations in topography within a small geographic area which are revealed by the implementation of the FloodGraphic sign array.

[0204] The method of the FloodGraphic visual flood warning system incorporates 2 interdependent embodiments:

[0205] The FloodGraphic Signs

[0206] The signs (FIG. 1) are of consistent appearance as to shape and configuration regardless of location of installation. What changes from place to place is the height of the color transition (from yellow (below the 100 year flood) to green (above the 100 year flood), the text, and graphics. The height above the ground of the yellow color presents the most obvious and perceptible representation of a high degree of flood risk. The higher the yellow color, the greater the risk. If the yellow color projects only a short distance above the ground and the color of the sign is preponderantly green (above the color transition) this signifies a site of relatively low degree of flood risk. The color change from yellow to red in the event of flood watches and warnings extends upward from the ground to the elevation of the forecast flood in the FloodGraphic-dynamic version of the signs. Design development will achieve the appearance and described functionality of the signs.

[0207] The invention comprises, in addition to the signs, the organization and mechanics by which the implementation of the method can be effected.

[0208] The signs are the devices by which flood hazard information, to include government issued flood watches and warnings are visually communicated to persons in flood prone communities where an array of such signs has been installed at such geographic locations as to highlight the variability of flood risk attributable to multiple parameters, but preponderantly variability in topography within small areas

[0209] Implementation of the signs: FloodGraphic Headquarters (FG HQ)

[0210] FG HQ is the means by which the actual visual warning system comprising the array of FG signs will be implemented.

[0211] The method of the FloodGraphic visual warning system includes FloodGraphic headquarters, an organization which performs Design development to achieve the appearance and described functionality of the signs.

[0212] FG HQ will be a large vertically integrated technology organization with the capacity to perform the design development, cost estimating, solicitation of capital, and implementation of the FG program. Once operational, the large vertically integrated technology organization may discharge operations to a government agency. Multiple tasks must be performed by FG HQ, as follows.

[0213] Funding is to be by Beneficiaries

[0214] Ultimately, beneficiaries will fund installation of the signs. Beneficiaries, e.g. insurance companies, FEMA, NFIP, are motivated by prospective savings that will accrue as a consequence of loss reduction and the public health and safety benefits that will accrue. FG HQ will present the FG program to beneficiaries and solicit funding to bring the method to fruition.

[0215] Design Development of the Signs

[0216] The initially deployed array of FG signs may be the static version, and could be accomplished with paint and a paint brush on an appropriate blank, but more likely would be printed on a vinyl appliqu appropriate for shipment from FG HQ or its contractors to entities in the field for mounting on any suitable substrate.

[0217] The FG-D sign is an electronic device incorporating multiple modern technologies most if not all of which are protected by patents and will require licenses to issue to enable their use. Electrical and electronics engineers well-versed in the technologies described must perform designs to bring the invention to fruition. The designs must be tested and proven functional. Necessary patent licensing must take place. The mechanics of production, industrial engineering, manufacturing design and the like must be determined. Cost estimating must be performed. The envisioned final form will be a thin film electronic membrane suitable for rolling into a small cylindrical form for ease of shipment by FG HQ to entities in the field for mounting on any suitable substrate.

[0218] Approvals Acquisition

[0219] Prior to installation of any sign on public or private property, approvals must be obtained from owners. Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations must be demonstrated.

[0220] Financing the Program

[0221] At the outset, initial capital must be obtained to advance the program. Once all relevant information and limitations that establish implementation costs are in hand, funding for implementation must be identified and actual funds brought into the program.

[0222] Development of Database

[0223] There is a plethora of data available in our society that will facilitate and expand the presentation of specific data at each FG location. That data must be sourced and organized in an appropriate database such that each proposed installation might efficiently and systematically benefit. Data mining of all available resources using best technologies is necessary to accomplish this task. Upon implementation of FG-D, the FG system itself will continuously expand the database as flooding occurs over time and is detected and reported by the array of FG-D signs.

[0224] Operational Plan

[0225] Tasks performed by FG HQ include identification of participants in the program by category, education of prospective participants as to their envisioned roles and related compensation, ascertainment of fees necessary for prospective participants to be motivated to perform the roles envisioned for them, and recruitment of participants. [0226] Professionals in the Flood Certification business are prospective vendors as to identification of installation sites and final observation of installations to include initialization and reporting of installed signs. A two-tiered fee system is envisioned whereby each proposal for an installation is a compensated service. Flood certification professionals at time of survey for preparation of a Flood Elevation Certificate are in the field and equipped to provide the necessary data for identification of appropriate sites for FG sign installation. [0227] FG HQ by virtue of its depth of talent and vertical integration will be capable of performance of all other necessary tasks to implement the FG program. It will require cooperation of government agencies and private parties at every level to achieve the database of historic flooding and flood hazard zones.

[0228] Description of the Figure(s) of the Drawings The FloodGraphic signs are shown in FIG. 1 and is further described in the reference characters 1-24 below. FIG. 2 depicts a FloodGraphic sign as might be viewed by passersby in a flood prone community, reference characters 4, 5, 6, & 7. FIG. 3 depicts diagrammatically field surveyors in a flood prone community determining elevations at a lamppost, a prospective site for installation of a FloodGraphic sign, reference characters 13. The FloodGraphic-dynamic signs are further depicted in FIG. 5, reference characters 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 20, 21 and 22. FloodGraphic Headquarters is depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, reference characters 25-39. Below are listed all reference characters. [0229] 1) A printed and/or adhesive-backed vinyl (or other appropriate material in the case of FG-D) surface applied to an appropriate sign substrate sheet, approximately 3 in. in horizontal dimension by approximately 10 ft. in vertical dimension, displaying location-sensitive topographic and flood hazard data, affixed to an aluminum, plastic, or other suitable sign blank material substrate of consistent dimension. FG-D is similar in appearance to FG until the event of a Flood Watch or Flood Warning which events precipitate video display. [0230] 2) FG-D is internally illuminating, and presents variable color and text in response to two-way electronic wireless communication from FG HQ. These features are not visible in a static drawing. [0231] 3) FG-D reports to FG HQ on experienced flooding detected through the immersion sensing properties of FG-D. This feature is not visible as the electronics are embedded in the sign. [0232] 4) Font, text and graphics are designed to be viewable and comprehensible by pedestrians in the built environment. In the event of a locale intended to be readable by motorists, the width and size of text will increase as appropriate to achieve legibility, [0233] 5) The background color (yellow) and border (black, wide) emulate the standard for Warning signs specified in the US DOT Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, so as to take advantage of the community recognition of the aesthetic already associated with warning signs. [0234] 6) The body sign color is yellow below 100 yr/1% annual risk of flood. The background color is yellow below the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) as established by the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the site by FEMA, to associate the portion of the sign below the elevation of the 100 year flood as a prospective range of flooding. [0235] 7) The body sign color is green above 100 yr/1% annual risk of flood, signifying reduced risk. [0236] 8) FG-D, by virtue of incorporation of Solid-state lighting (SSL) and Solid State Electronic Control (SSC), has the capacity to present internal illumination, including dynamic illumination, to present the illusion of rising water by transformation of the color of the bottom portion of the sign, from the grade level up to the forecast flood elevation, from yellow to red over a selected time interval. Time intervals described are subject to adjustment based on experience. These features are not visible, as the electronics are embedded in the sign, and the lighting and dynamics cannot be presented in a static drawing. [0237] 9) For flood watches the default time interval for the color transition from the base of the sign up to the elevation of the forecast flood is 5 seconds and is followed by an immediate return of the transformed color red back to yellow. Thereafter there is a 5 second time interval wherein the body color within the range of forecast flooding is yellow. Then the transformation from yellow to red, from grade level to the elevation of the forecast flood, repeats in another 5 second interval. These features are not visible, as the electronics are embedded in the sign, and the lighting and dynamics cannot be presented in a static drawing. [0238] 10) In the case of Flood Warnings, the transition from yellow to red is as in the case for Flood Watches, with the addition of a rapid 0.5 second pulsation of the color of the sign within the forecast range of flooding from yellow to red over a 5 second interval, after which the color of the sign within the range of forecast flooding returns to yellow for 5 seconds, and therafter for the duration of the Flood Warning the cycle repeatsa 5 second upward transition from yellow to red, 5 seconds of 0.5 seconds duration of pulsation from yellow to red over the forecast vertical flood interval on the sign, and a return to yellow for 5 seconds, after which the cycle repeats. [0239] 11) Data is presented via text and graphics. FG indicates the Base Flood Elevation as well as the elevation of historic floods, and established warning elevations, in full scale. The key feature is that the elevation of the site corresponds to the beginning of the graduations shown on the sign; e.g., a FG sign at a location where the grade level is 5.0 NVGD will have the 1.sup.st foot mark 1 above the ground and it will be annotated 6, while a FG sign a block away, where the grade level is 8 NVGD will have the 1st foot mark 1 above the ground and it will be annotated 9. If the 100 year flood in the area incorporating the two FGs in this example is 10 NVGD, the yellow-green transition line will be 5 above the ground in the 1.sup.st example, but only 2 above the ground in the 2.sup.nd example. [0240] 12) The variation in height above the ground of the yellow to green transition line will serve to educate the public about the variations in topography within a given food area and demonstrate the relative danger levels. This relationship will be evident in all prospective flood locales, coastal as well as riverine. [0241] 13) Data is site location and elevation dependent. Professional Land Surveyors, Engineers, and/or any party authorized to prepare FEMA Flood Elevation Certificates determine the elevation at grade of the installation and the particulars of the installation site, e.g., sign post, building corner, and submit the information to FG HQ as a proposal for installation of a FG sign. Upon acceptance of the proposal, FG HQ prepares the FG using graphic design/drafting software and data retrieved and vetted from private and Government sources, and prints the sign face for installation at the specific locale in consideration. It is then adhesively installed by any party on an appropriate locally sourced substrate, the substrate affixed in accordance with local standards, under supervision of the party who determined the site location and elevation data and proposed the installation. [0242] 14) It is assumed that the design development of FG-D will lag that of FG. FG-D may simply be furnished as an overlay to initially installed FGs. [0243] 15) FloodGraphic logo, copyright & mask works notice, PAT PEND warnings. [0244] 16) Attribution/installer identification. [0245] 17) Printed circuit electronic controller, solar panel & battery (integrated into the FG-D print-not visible). [0246] 18) Graduated staff, marked to display full 1 FT (or 1 M) increments with numerals, 0.1 FT (or M) increments with short tics, 0.5 FT (or M) increments with medium tics. Each FG is set at each site so the gradations (numeric elevations) accurately present site-specific elevations to NAVD 88 (or other National Standard) for each location of FG installation. Each FG displays text indicative of site-specific flood history and warnings relative to future flooding. [0247] 19) Flood warning or historic flood descriptive text, customized to present site-specific data. Specific historic floods are graphically indicated. [0248] 20) Sign Color transition at flood watch: Yellow or Yellow and Green transitions to red from the bottom of the sign up to the elevation of the specific flood watch over a 5 second period, followed by a 5 second interval over which the original colors are displayed, and subsequently followed again by the color transition from the bottom of the sign up to the elevation of the specific flood watch from Yellow or Yellow and Green to red, in a repeating fashion. [0249] 21) Sign Color transition at flood warning: Yellow or Yellow and Green transitions to red progressively from grade and the base of the sign up to the elevation of a specific flood warning, from the bottom of the sign up to the elevation of the specific flood warning over a 5 second period of time, followed by 5 flashes of the red color in a 5 second period of time over the vertical space interval above-described, and then followed by a final 5 second interval over which the original colors are displayed, and subsequently followed again by the two phases of color transition from Yellow or Yellow and Green to red, as above described, in repeating fashion. [0250] 22) Flood warning or historic flood descriptive text. Variable, and dependent on specific location. Data is determined by FG HQ from Government sources. [0251] 23) Numeric indication of actual elevation of mark on staff, to NAVD 88. [0252] 24) FloodGraphic level symbol (typical). Depicts a historic or forecast flood level, specific to each location of FG installation. Multiple repetitions present different historic or forecast flood levels. FG-D is Electronically illuminated with printed Flexible OLED light. Graduations and elevation numerals reflect actual NAVD 88 elevations, which vary at each installation. [0253] 25) Graphic depiction of FloodGraphic Headquarters, and certain of the internal processes of original claims 2 & 3. [0254] 26) Graphic depiction of the database created and maintained by and within FG HQ as claimed in original claims 2 & 3. [0255] 27) Graphic depiction of the site assessment and vetting process performed within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2c renumbered as within claim 2. [0256] 28) Graphic depiction of the design and design development process by and within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2a renumbered as within claim 2. [0257] 29) Graphic depiction of the management, finance and accounting processes by and within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2b renumbered as within claim 2. [0258] 30) Graphic depiction of the wireless communication between the FG-Dynamic signs and FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2c, 17 & 18 renumbered as within claims 2, 17 and 18. [0259] 31) Graphic depiction of the US government's National Weather Service (NWS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and FEMA's Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) as communicated with by FG HQ as to flood watches, flood warnings, sensed levels of flooding and predicted and historic flood elevations frequencies as claimed in original claims claim 2c renumbered as within claim 2. [0260] 32) Graphic depiction of the US government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), a data source utilized by FG HQ in sourcing the reference datum and elevation of the 100 year flood for display on the FloodGraphic signs as claimed in original claims claim 2c renumbered as within claim 2. [0261] 33) Graphic depiction of the Flood Insurance Studies (FIS) prepared for participating communities in the US government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a data source utilized by FG HQ in sourcing the predicted and historic flood elevations frequencies displayed on the FloodGraphic signs as claimed in original claims claim 2c renumbered as within claim 2. [0262] 34) Graphic depiction of the local governments of participating communities in the US government's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a data source utilized by FG HQ in sourcing the predicted and historic flood elevations and frequencies displayed on the FloodGraphic signs as claimed in original claims claim 2c renumbered as within claim 2 [0263] 35) Graphic depiction of the education & business development process performed within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2b renumbered as within claim 2. [0264] 36) Graphic depiction of the manufacturing distribution and installation process performed within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2b renumbered as within claim 2. [0265] 37) Graphic depiction of the management, finance & accounting process performed within FG HQ as claimed in original claims claim 2b renumbered as within claim 2. 38: Graphic depiction of the electronic emersion sensing device(s) as claimed in claim 6. [0266] 38) Graphic depiction of the electronic wireless communication device(s) as claimed in original claims claim 1b, 17 & 18 renumbered as claims 1, 17 & 18. [0267] 39) Graphic depiction of the electronic antenna module which module facilitates wireless communication between the FloodGraphic signs and FloodGraphic headquarters as claimed in claim 7