Why is my tagline Q100lady?

I owe the inspiration for my tagline to my dear friend, Eric.

I am a female flood wonk engineer.

Engineers, God love them, are often more comfortable with equations and numbers than words. (My friend Eric is one of the few exceptions.) Engineers who work with water have special language for describing water flow in streams. They call it 'discharge,' and represent it in equations with the letter 'Q'.

Q100 is engineer speak for the the flow in a stream that a a 1-percent-annual-chance of occurring or being exceeded. An event commonly referred to at the 100-year flood. In the world of flood engineering, 'Q100' is a crucial concept. This Q100 value is a cornerstone in flood management. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) relies on it to make important decisions about flood risk and building regulations. Through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA uses Q100 to identify areas at high risk of flooding. FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show which areas are likely to be inundated by floods more frequent than the 1-in-100 year event. Property that falls within these high-risk zones on a FIRM, is subject to specific building restrictions and flood insurance requirements.

In essence, Q100 isn't just a number - it's a tool that helps communities prepare for and mitigate flood risks, balancing development needs with public safety. (It is often a blunt tool, badly used, but that is a different topic for a different day.)

Comgining my expertise in flood engineering with a touch of wordplay, led to 'Q100Lady' - a perfect tagline for a female flood wonk engineer like myself. It encapsulates my profession, my specialty, and adds a personal touch. Q100Lady isn't just a clever pun; it's a succinct representation of my professional identity and my passion for more advanced flood risk management. Plus, because people think I’m connected with an FM rock station it automatically gives me rock star status.

Thank you, Eric.