Board adopts local Coconino Wash floodplain study for Tusayan after updated modeling
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Summary
Coconino County’s flood control district adopted a local floodplain study for the Tusayan/Coconino Wash area based on updated J Fuller modeling that shows larger inundation zones and more affected parcels than FEMA maps; board approved directing the floodplain administrator to amend county flood maps.
The Coconino County Flood Control District voted to adopt the Coconino Wash floodplain study for the Tusayan area after receiving an overview of updated hydrology and geomorphology modeling. Flood Control staff said the new local mapping shows a substantially larger floodplain and higher volumes of water than the older FEMA map and that the August 2023 flood validated the newer modeling results.
Lucinda Andreani, director of the flood control district, told supervisors that FEMA maps reflect the minimum regulatory floodplain and that jurisdictions may adopt more current local studies. She said the updated modeling increases the number of parcels and structures identified in the local floodplain and will have development implications; however, adoption of the local floodplain will not itself compel property owners to purchase flood insurance (staff encouraged owners with assets to consider coverage).
No public comments were received during the noticed period. After discussion, the board voted unanimously to adopt Flood Control resolution 2026‑001, directing the floodplain administrator to amend county flood management maps to reflect the Coconino Wash study.
Staff said adoption is an early step that will help the county pursue mitigation funding and better inform property owners and businesses about development requirements in the newly mapped area.
