Areas of Expertise

• Flood Hazard Identification / Mapping (levees, coastal, riverine, arid)
• CRS Participation
• Floodplain Management Standards, Building Codes and Land-use Regulations
• Floodproofing Techniques
• Natural Floodplain Functions and Resources
• Stormwater Management
• Hydrology and Hydraulics

Participating Activities

• One-on-One Mentoring
• Group Mentoring
• Ask a Mentor

FEMA Region

Total Time in Floodplain Management

Professional Biography

Simona Hawk is a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois and a Certified Floodplain Manager. She holds a bachelor’s of science degree in civil engineering from Bradley University. She has 20 years of experience in land development, stormwater and floodplain management. She has worked in private consulting, county government and municipal government. She has been a design engineer, review engineer, project manager, collaborator, and supervisor. She has done it all, but her true passion lies in teaching, training, and mentoring. Simona is a life-long student and believes the ASFPM Mentoring Program is a great opportunity to cultivate her passion for sharing knowledge.

Simona’s floodplain management experience includes Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping. As a stormwater reviewer for county government, she frequently established base flood elevations from FIRM and FIS data, reviewed elevation certificates and LOMCs.

Simona has worked for two government agencies that participated in the Community Rating System. She was involved in the initial acceptance into the program and also responsible for the annual recertification.

Simona is very knowledgeable with Floodplain Management Standards, Building Codes and Land-use Regulations. She has a unique perspective having worked for the private developer making the application, and the government agency reviewing the application.

She is familiar with Floodproofing Techniques from her experience working with Building Department staff.

Simona is very familiar with Natural Floodplain Functions/Resources and Stormwater Management based on her extensive knowledge of local ordinance regulations. She has designed and reviewed many land development projects involving floodplains, wetlands, detention basin, and best management practices.

She is familiar with Hydrologic and Hydraulic modeling to establish riverine water surface elevations, detention basin sizing and storm sewer analysis.

She is adept at educating property owners, applicants and the general public on the subject of FEMA, NFIP, IEPA, IDNR, USACE, local ordinance regulations and permit applications.