Final answer:
A surveyor may not be qualified to sign a Floodproofing Certificate unless they have the necessary certifications for floodplain management or engineering. Furthermore, the chance of a similar flood event occurring within the next 20 years is plausible but speculative without detailed probability studies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of whether a surveyor can sign a Floodproofing Certificate largely depends on local regulations and the requirements of the certifying body or government entity. Typically, a Floodproofing Certificate must be signed by a professional who is licensed to certify that the building's design and alterations adhere to specific floodproofing standards. While surveyors are skilled professionals often involved in determining land boundaries and topographic layouts, they may not be qualified to sign Floodproofing Certificates unless they also possess the additional credentials or certifications required for floodplain management or engineering. The signing authority usually falls upon professionals such as civil engineers, architects, or floodplain managers who have the expertise in assessing flood risks and floodproofing methodologies.
As for the possibility of a flood with a similar discharge occurring, floods are natural events influenced by a variety of factors including climate conditions, geography, and changes in land use. Historical data and predictive modeling are used to assess flood risks, but there is always some level of uncertainty. It is plausible to anticipate that a flood of similar magnitude to the one that occurred on 9/23/2009 could happen again within the next 20 years; however, without specific probability studies and additional context, such a statement would be speculative. Flood risks can be mitigated, but not entirely prevented, emphasizing the importance of robust floodproofing measures and infrastructure resilience.