I was hired by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) in June 1977, upon completion of my master’s degree in environmental science and civil engineering.

OWRB hired me as a limnologist to complete a number of scientific studies that were in development. We also began the Clean Lakes Program using Landsat Imagery to inventory each of Oklahoma’s larger water bodies. Several lakes were then studied to determine how to go about slowing down eutrophication.

During early 1984, the NFIP Coordinator in the engineering division resigned, and I was asked to fill that position. At the time, the FEMA flood program was called SAP. Most of the work involved getting calls from lenders for flood zone determination and a Xerox copy of the flood map. Eventually it became clear that we should not be making flood zone determinations so cavalierly.

During the 1980’s, Oklahoma experienced a large number of national flood disasters. Harold Springer, Chief of Engineering, and I determined that we needed to be more active and work with other state and federal agencies to address this terrible problem. To compound the flood disaster relief efforts, few counties in Oklahoma participated in the NFIP. We reached out to the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Transportation, HUD, and others. Through Harold’s leadership, we went on the road to visit every community in Oklahoma that had a flood map and was not participating in the NFIP. It was an exhausting campaign, but it got my blood going.

At this time, the FEMA was working diligently to train lenders in flood insurance. It was apparent working with FEMA, FIA, COE, and other state agencies that a strong state voice was needed to promote floodplain management. During one of these meetings, a proposal was made for Oklahoma to create a state association. Don Ellison at FEMA was one of the main catalysts to help see this become a reality. Other strong proponents were Harold Springer, Joe Remondini with the COE as well as Bud Williams with the City of Tulsa and Ron Fidler with Delaware County. And just like that, the Oklahoma Floodplain Management Association was created.

In 1984, I worked my first flood disaster, and it was horrific. The Tulsa Memorial Day Flood was the worst flood event in the city’s history. Fourteen people lost their lives driving into flood waters. Mike Morgan with Congressman David Boren’s office and I were the official boots on the ground for this event. It was very eye opening and alarming at the same time.

After this event, I became much more involved with understanding the devastation flooding creates. FEMA was learning as well and the Community Assistance Program was created, placing more emphasis on ordinance compliance. Thankfully OWRB had four branch offices across our state so the workload was distributed accordingly. Support by OWRB staff was tremendous, especially in our public relations department. The creation of brochures, bulletins and a newsletter took on a priority for floodplain management.

Soon my time became split with the CAP program, OFMA, ASFPM, and regular agency activities. My exposure with FEMA, OFMA, ASFPM had a profound impact on me and my career. My exposure with ASFPM helped me to realize that OFMA needed a name change. It was time to change management to managers. I learned it was about the people and not the books per se. The tremendous leaders I worked with from ASFPM, OFMA, Civil Emergency Management, FEMA, the COE, ODOT and other agencies helped to motivate me. Roy Sedwick with the Texas Floodplain Management Association was one of these great individuals. As a result of leadership and counsel from strong individuals I served as the ASFPM’s Treasurer in 1996-1998.

In summary, my career was extremely blessed by the creation and growth of the Oklahoma Floodplain Manager’s Association. This association and growth was inspired by many, but from my view Larry Larson was the cornerstone. The leadership Larry inspired helped provide direction and leadership for OFMA.

Awards and accolades

• Ken Morris is considered “Mr. Floodplain Management” in Oklahoma, in recognition of his dedication to protecting lives and property from flooding and his commitment to train and certify floodplain administrators.
• He served on served on the ASFPM committee that developed the nation’s certification program for floodplain managers. He led Oklahoma to becoming the first state in the nation in 1999, to adopt and implement a professional floodplain manager certification program.
• OFMA created the Kenneth Morris Honorary Lifetime Member Award to recognizes an association member who has demonstrated significant long-term leadership and support, influencing and advancing OFMA.
• In 2001, Oklahoma received the ASFPM Tom Lee State Award for Excellence in Floodplain Management and OFMA was recognized with the John Ivey Award for Superior Efforts in Certification.
• In 2010 Morris received the ASFPM Meritorious Lifetime Achievement in Floodplain Management Award.