Henry County commissioners on Nov. 25 adopted Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance 2025-11-25003, updating local standards to align with FEMA and state Department of Natural Resources recommendations.

A presenter identified as Speaker 10 explained FEMA periodically issues change recommendations and that the county must update local standards to remain in the federal flood hazard insurance program. "This is a required ordinance," Speaker 10 said, and the technical revisions govern how structures are built or rebuilt within flood hazard areas.

Commissioners reviewed the proposal; legal counsel (Speaker 3) noted that participation in the flood hazard insurance program requires adopting standards in conformance with the changes. Speaker 5 moved to approve the ordinance and Speaker 4 seconded. The motion carried by voice vote, 3-0, and ordinance 2025-11-25003 was adopted.

The board did not identify substantive changes that would cause concern during the meeting; Speaker 3 observed the alternative would be to opt out of the flood hazard insurance program, which he said "doesn't work very well." The ordinance will be forwarded to DNR as part of the state review process required for continued program participation.

Next steps: Recordation and transmittal of the ordinance to the appropriate state agency and update of county floodplain documentation as required by state and federal program rules.