FPS staff report
March 16, 2010
As state and national officials are celebrating National Flood Awareness Week (March 15-19) Carroll County Regional Planning Director Ed Warner is using the opportunity to alert county residents to the requirements for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Warner, who is designated as the county’s floodplain administrator, noted any development (construction) near the floodplain must receive his approval before it can begin.
“County commissioners adopted floodplain regulations under an agreement to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program,” he said. “The regulations apply to all development activities in the areas which have been identified as being subject to flooding.”
He said the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) identified flood hazard areas and has defined “development” to include buildings or structures and mining, dredging, filling, grading, storage of materials or other similar nonstructural operations. FEMA is the agency that administers the flood insurance program.
Participation the National Flood Insurance Program enables residents of unincorporated areas of the county to purchase flood insurance, which is made affordable through a federal subsidy. As part of providing subsidized flood insurance, government must regulate future development in flood hazard areas, Warner explained.
He said a permit must be obtained for all proposed development involving a flood hazard area. The permit functions as a regulatory control and allows local officials to determine if the proposed development minimizes flood damage and does not increase the flood hazard to other residents.
Specific procedures and performance standards include:
*All new residential structures and substantial improvements to existing structures in the designated flood hazard areas must elevate the lowest flood (including basement) two feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
*All new nonresidential structures or substantial improvements to existing structures must elevate or flood proof the lowest floor (including basement) two feet above the 100-year flood elevation.
*No development can occur in floodways which would result in any increase in the 100-year flood plain elevation. New construction of any residential or nonresidential structures in floodways is prohibited.
Warner said when elevation data is not provided, general standards designed to reduce flood damage will apply.
A complete list of the county’s floodplain regulations and permit requirement are available at the Carroll County Regional Planning Office, located in the lower level of the Carroll County Courthouse. The office can also be reached by calling 330-627-5611.
Warner said copies of the National Flood Insurance Program maps are available in the office. |
