2010-06-04 FEMA Mapping Fact SheetQti4AltT'dTF`,,,
" FEMA 3 ,
o ..
��r9ND 5EG
This Fact Sheet provides
background information
on the National Flood
Insurance Program
(NFIP) which is
administered by the
Federal Emergency
Management Agency
(FEMA), as well as an
overview of the flood
hazard mapping process
underway in Washington
County, Nebraska. The
county's Flood Insurance
Rate Maps (FIRMs) are
being revised using the
latest technologies and
the most current data so
residents, homeowners,
business owners, and
community officials may
understand the local
flood risk and keep
people and property safe
from floods.
1
Fact Sheet
What is the NFIP?
In 1968 Congress established the National Flood Insurance Program
(NFIP) due to escalating costs to taxpayers for flood disaster relief. The
NFIP is based on the agreement that if a community practices sound
floodplain management, the Federal Government will make flood
insurance available to residents in that community. FEMA maps include
the Special Flood Hazard Area, which is the area that has a 1% or
greater chance of flooding in any given year. Development may take
place within the Special Flood Hazard Area provided that it complies
with local floodplain ordinances that meet NFIP criteria.
What is a FIRM?
When FEMA maps flood hazards in a
community or county, two products may be
produced: a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)
and a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report. A
FIRM illustrates the extent of flood hazards in a
community by depicting flood risk zones and the
Special Flood Hazard Area, and is used with the
FIS report to determine the floodplain
development regulations that apply in each flood
risk zone and who must buy flood insurance.
FIRMs also depict other information including
Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations
(BFEs) and, floodways and common physical
features such as roads. When detailed study
methods are used to determine BFE's, a FIS is
generated. A FIS is a narrative report of the
community's flood hazards that contains prior
flooding information, descriptions of the
flooding sources, information on flood
protection measures, and a description of the
hydrologic and hydraulic methods used in the
study.
Why Are the Maps Being Updated?
All communities within Washington County are now
shown on a single countywide FIRM. The study has
updated information and developed new information on
the existence and severity of flood hazard areas in the
geographic area of Washington County. The new maps
also use an updated photographic base map. This new
base map more accurately depicts the locations of features
throughout the county than previous versions.
What Has Changed?
A detailed study was completed on the Missouri River af-
fecting Unincorporated Washington County, the City of
Blair, and the City of Fort Calhoun. A hydrologic and hy-
draulic analysis was updated for Cauble Creek, Unnamed
Creek, and Unnamed Creek East within The City of Blair.
These sources were studied using updated topography and
developing detailed hydraulic models to revise the 100 -
year flood elevations to reflect best available data.
Flooding Sources in Washington Countv,
What is an Appeal?
Some flood studies result in new or revised BFEs.
During the 90 -day appeal period, community officials
and others may object to the accuracy of the proposed
BFEs. According to Federal Regulations, "The sole basis
of appeal ... shall be the possession of knowledge or
information indicating that the elevations proposed by
FEMA are scientifically or technically incorrect."
Appeals must be submitted through your community's
floodplain administrator. Communities should contact
the FEMA Map Assistance Center for the study
information before submitting an appeal.
What is a Protest?
Challenges received during the appeal period that do not
address proposed Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are
considered "protests ". Protests include, but are not
limited to: challenges of floodplain boundary
delineations based on more detailed topographic data;
challenges of proposed regulatory floodway boundaries
based on better modeling; requests that a LOMA,
LOMR -F, or LOMR be incorporated; base map errors;
and omissions. Appeals and protests must be supported
;ientific or technical data, provide proof of error, and
ide sufficient data to make revisions. Certification
lata by a Registered Professional Engineer or
used Land Surveyor may be required.
Communities eligible for appeal:
1. City of Blair
2. City of Fort Calhoun
3. Washington County: Unincorporated Areas
Appeals and Protests should be sent to:
Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
311 West Monroe Street, Suite 1350
Chicago, IL 60606
The Mapping Process
The key steps in the mapping process are outlined below. Additionally, the points at which community officials and property
owners may provide comments and express concerns with the information in the FIS report and FIRM are highlighted below.
Not every community will need /receive a public meeting or 90 -day appeal period.
• These tasks have
been completed
• Preliminary FIS
and FIRM issued
to all communities
• Community has 30
days to send
comments on
preliminary FIS
and FIRM to
FEMA
What Happens After the Appeal Period?
• If needed, a Public
meeting is held to
present new FIS
and FIRM and to
review NFIP
requirements
• If needed, a 90 -
day appeal period
begins after a
second public
notice
FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination and then
provide the community with six months to adopt
up -to -date floodplain management ordinances. If the
floodplain ordinances in effect are satisfactory, they can
be submitted in their current form. If ordinances need to
be updated, communities should seek assistance from their
State NFIP Coordinator or the FEMA regional office.
After the six -month compliance period, the new FIS and
FIRM will become effective.
What if a Structure is Shown in a Different Flood
Zone on the New Map?
The new map will not affect continuing insurance policies
for a structure built in compliance with local floodplain
management regulations and the flood map in effect at the
time of construction. However, should the structure be
substantially improved or substantially damaged (where
damages or improvements reach 50% or more of the
pre- damage market value) the entire structure will have to
be brought into compliance with the floodplain
requirements and the BFE in effect at the time any repairs
take place.
Is There any Recourse if I Do Not Agree with the
New Map?
Although FEMA uses the most accurate flood hazard
information available, limitations of scale or
topographic definition of the source maps used to
prepare the FIRM may cause small areas that are at or
above the BFE to be inadvertently shown within Special
Flood Hazard Area boundaries. Such situations may
exist in your county. For these situations, FEMA
established the Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)
process to remove such structures from the Special
Flood Hazard Area.
Will LOMAs Issued under the Old Map be Valid
under the New Map?
When a new FIRM becomes effective, it automatically
supersedes previously issued LOMAs, LOMRs, and
other map changes that have been issued for structures
and properties on the revised FIRM panels.
Recognizing that some map changes may still be valid
even though the flood hazard information on the FIRM
has been updated, FEMA has established a process for
revalidating such map changes.
What is FEMA's Process for Revalidating
Existing LOMAs and LOMRs?
To revalidate map changes, FEMA conducts a
detailed comparison of the BFEs shown on FEMA's
new FIRM and the lowest adjacent grade or lowest
lot elevation of previously issued map changes.
Those structures or properties that are above the BFE
or are located in areas of the community that are not
affected by updated flood hazard information are
revalidated through a formal determination letter that
is issued to the community's Chief Executive Officer
when the new FIRM becomes effective. The
revalidation letter is also mailed to each community's
map repository to be kept on file and is available for
public reference. Map changes that have been issued
for multiple lots or structures where the determination
for one or more of the lots or structures has changed
cannot be automatically revalidated through the
administrative process described above. To request
that FEMA review such map changes (i.e., those that
are not included in the revalidation letter), please
submit the following to FEMA:
A letter requesting the re- issuance (provide
the case number of the LOMA to be reissued);
and
A copy of the LOMA to be reissued,
if available.
FEMA will the review the case file and issue a new
letter reflecting its new determination.
How can I purchase flood insurance?
A policy may be purchased from any licensed
property insurance agent or broker who is in good
standing in the State in which the agent is licensed or
through any agent representing a Write Your Own
(WYO) company. Call 1- 800 - 720 -1093 or visit
www.floodsmart.gov to find a flood insurance agent.
O ZONE C \ \\
For Further Information
For any questions concerning flood
hazard mapping or LOMAs,
contact the FEMA Map Assistance Center's
toll-free information line at
1-877-FEMA MAP (1- 877 - 336 - 2627).
FEMA MAP ASSISTANCE CENTER
am low MM Awmanown
® A
For more information about joining the
National Flood Insurance Program,
floodplain management, ordinances, or
the map adoption policies, communities
may contact Bill Jones,
the State NFIP Coordinator for Nebraska,
at (402) 471 -3932.
For more information about
flood mapping and LOMAs, visit
http: / /fema.gov /plan /prevent /fhm/index.shtm.
For questions specifically concerning
insurance, please call 1- 800 - 427 -4661 or
contact floodsmart.gov.
$ 1. V
An official site of the National Flood Insurance Programs