Genola adopts FEMA-aligned floodplain ordinance to preserve residents’ flood-insurance eligibility

The Genola Town Council opened a public hearing on revisions to its floodplain ordinance and, after limited public comment, adopted Ordinance 2026-01 to bring the town code into alignment with newly finalized FEMA flood maps.

Council members said aligning the town’s ordinance with FEMA is necessary to preserve residents’ access to federally backed flood insurance. In the hearing, speakers asked whether new maps might raise insurance premiums for properties newly mapped into the floodplain; council members acknowledged that possibility while noting the alternative — not adopting an ordinance — could leave homeowners without access to insurance.

"If you look at the maps for Genoa, it's almost entirely White Lake," the chair (speaker 3) said while describing how the town’s mapped floodplain approaches Main Street; the council discussed localized flow from Warm Creek and possible mitigation needs along the railroad corridor.

Councilors said staff removed overly restrictive proposed language from an initial draft and kept the ordinance to the minimum requirements FEMA expects. After a motion and second, the council approved Ordinance 2026-01 by voice vote.

The council discussed mitigation options where floodwaters currently flow toward private properties and noted constraints because the railroad corridor is not maintained and lacks a steward. Councilors said they would pursue mitigation measures where feasible and pursue future engagement with adjacent landowners or state partners if needed.

The ordinance takes immediate effect as the town updates its local regulations to the new FEMA maps; staff said maps will be publicly available in May once FEMA's posting is complete.