Floodplain Debate Sparks Concerns Over Property Safety

During a recent government meeting, discussions centered around the complexities of floodplain management and the implications for property owners in the area. A key point of contention was the elevation of a property built in the 1930s, which was reported to be 4.03 feet above the base flood elevation of 1395.8 feet. Despite this, concerns were raised about the property's classification within a floodplain, particularly given that the building itself is only about 18 inches off the ground.

The conversation highlighted the potential discrepancies in floodplain mapping, with one participant suggesting that the existing topographical data, derived from LIDAR technology, might not accurately reflect the actual conditions on the ground. The speaker noted that the surveyor's findings indicated the house's elevation was significantly higher than the base flood elevation, raising questions about the validity of the floodplain designation.

Commissioner Cates sought clarification from staff regarding these elevation differences and emphasized that property owners could submit more accurate topographical information to FEMA to potentially amend their floodplain status. This process, known as a Letter of Map Amendment, could allow properties to be reclassified if they can demonstrate they are outside the floodplain.

The discussion also touched on historical flooding in the area, particularly around No Name Creek. While there was uncertainty about specific instances of structural flooding, it was noted that significant rain events, such as those in 2015, had impacted the region.

Overall, the meeting underscored the challenges faced by property owners in navigating floodplain regulations and the importance of accurate data in determining flood risk.