ANALYTICAL DESCRIPTION ON HOW ARCGIS CAN BE USED TO MAP OUT A FLOOD PRONE ZONE: CASE STUDY: OKWE IN DELTA STATE

Flooding poses a significant threat to communities in Okwe, Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta state, Nigeria due to the low-lying topography, proximity to rivers and heavy seasonal rainfall. This undergraduate project presents an analytical framework for mapping flood-prone zones using ArcGis softwares, leveraging geospatial tools for accurate hazard assessment and mitigation planning. The methodology begins with data acquisition including digital elevation models (DEMs) from sources like SRTM, rainfall data from meteorological stations, land use/land cover maps derived from landsat imagery, and vector layers of rivers and settlements specific to Okwe. In ArcGis, spatial analysis tools process these inputs: Fill, corrects DEM sinks, flow direction and flow accumulation delineate stream networks, while shape and proximity analyses (Eucledian Distance) identify high-risk lowlands near water bodies. Reclassified raster (1-5 scale, where 5 denotes highest risk) are combined to generate a flood susceptibility index map, classifying Okwe into low, moderate, high and very high flood-prone zones. Validation employs historical flood events from satellite imageries/field surveys, achieving accuracy via confusion matrices. The resulting map highlights vulnerable Okwe settlements for targeted interventions like drainage improvements. This ArcGis-based approach enhances resilience, supports urban planning and contributes to sustainable development in flood-vulnerable Nigerian communities.