Basic Floodplain Management Questions

What do you mean “floodplain management”?

                None of us would intentionally place his or her home in a location that would endanger either family or home.  Floodplain management is first of all identifying the flood-prone areas in White County, and providing that information to builders, developers, and prospective homeowners.  Secondly, it means encouraging uses, for flood prone areas, that are least likely to endanger life and property, or to impair public services, in the event of severe flooding.  Finally, it means that we insist on the adoption of certain minimal standards for construction, and encourage the purchase of flood insurance, whenever placing a structure in a flood prone area is unavoidable.

I thought floodplain management consisted of flood control projects like building dams and lakes and modifying stream channels.  Aren’t flood control projects an important part of floodplain management?

Floodplain Management does include flood control projects.  However, “brute-force” flood control projects, alone, are not capable of protecting every flood-prone area in the county.

What are five flood hazard protection fundamentals for planned construction?

1.        Check the map.  Development in a designated flood-prone area is at risk and will require a considerable amount of additional professional assistance.  All new structures that are located in a designated flood-prone area will require flood insurance.

2.        Build it back.  Whenever possible, avoid locating homes or other structures in flood-prone areas.

3.        Build it up.  When it is necessary to build or place a structure in a flood-prone area, elevate the structure, so that the lowest finished floor is at least as high as, but preferably higher than, the base flood elevation (BFE).  A registered land surveyor or registered engineer can determine the BFE for you.

4.        Protect it.  Flood-proofing can be helpful and should be used whenever possible, especially for structures that have experienced flooding in the past.  Flood-proofing alone cannot be used as a substitute for elevating a residential structure that is located in a flood-prone area.

5.        Insure it.  Contact your insurance agency and obtain appropriate flood insurance for your structures that will be located in flood-prone areas.

Is there an ordinance that governs construction and land development in the flood prone areas of rural White County?

Yes.  It is entitled “White County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance” 97-11.  It is on file in the White County Assessor’s Floodplain Management and GIS Office.  It is also on file in the County Clerk’s office.  Click on Ask Your White County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance to see parts of the ordinance as answers to certain questions.

Is a permit required for construction or for land development in the flood-prone areas of White County?

Yes.  Contact the White County Assessor’s Floodplain Management and GIS Office at 279-6254.  For further information on this web site, click on the Ask About Permits for Building or Developing in the Floodplain link.