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Flood Safety | Flood Insurance | Property Protection Measures | Natural & Beneficial Functions The Local Flood Hazard Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States. However, all floods are not alike. Riverine floods develop slowly, sometimes over a period of days. Flash floods can develop quickly, sometimes in just a few minutes, without any visible signs of rain. Flash floods also often have a dangerous wall of roaring water that carries a deadly cargo of rocks, mud and other debris, which can sweep away many things in its path. Overland flooding occurs outside a defined river or stream, such as when a levee or dam is breached. Flooding can also occur from a dam break producing effects similar to flash floods. Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live, but especially if you live in a low lying area, near water or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low lying grounds that appear harmless in dry weather can flood Planning and Zoning staff can answers questions related to floodplain management, including determining if a property is located within a floodplain within Jefferson County. Copies of elevation certificates can also be obtained by contacting the Planning and Zoning Division. For additional floodplain information or questions please contact the Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division at 303.271.8700. In addition, the Answers to Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions regarding floodplains in Jefferson County can be found here. Flood Safety Flood Insurance The Insurance Program is administered by the Federal Insurance Administration, a part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Federal Insurance Administration has state-licensed insurance companies' agents and brokers sell flood insurance to you! Contact your insurance agent for more information on the National Flood Insurance Program or call 1-888-FLOOD29. Property Protection Measures Natural and Beneficial Functions Floodplains are formed and modified by the dynamics of stream and river migration and periodic flooding. Although many riverine floodplains usually flood during the spring storms, they can also experience multiple flood events within the same year with duration varying from hours to days. Periodic flooding of riverine systems and the related processes of erosion and deposition determine, to a considerable extent, the shape of the floodplain; the depth and composition of soils; the type and density of vegetation; presence and extent of wetlands; richness and diversity of wildlife habitats; and depth to the groundwater. The major flood conveyance component of the floodplain is the floodway. The National Flood Insurance Program defines the floodway as that area of the watercourse and adjacent floodplain necessary to carry the base flood without increasing the water surface elevation more than a designated amount (generally one foot). The base flood is the flood that has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in a given year. Communities are required to prohibit development within the floodway that would cause an increase in flood heights. This requirement has the effect of limiting development in floodways that in turn helps to maintain some of the floodplain’s most important natural resources and functions. There are a number of walking paths and bike paths throughout many of the floodplains in Jefferson County. These paths provide an opportunity for out citizens to enjoy the vegetation and wildlife that thrives in our floodplains. Map of the Local Flood Hazard The Flood Warning System The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is one tool that Jefferson County can use to warn its citizens in case of an impending disaster such as flooding. When we need to send a warning over the EAS, our dispatch center has been instructed to call radio station KOA as they are the primary broadcaster for our area. They will, in-turn, notify all the other participating radio and television stations to put out the warning. By protocol, the back-up station for EAS is KYGO. In most cases however, the National Weather Service has already activated EAS prior to, or at the same time they are contacting our dispatch center. The other system we use more regularly is Intrado’s Target Notification System. This is more commonly referred to as “reverse 911”. The Target Notification System allows us to choose an identified area and sends pre-recorded messages to their landline phone as well as any wireless or VOIP phone that they have registered in the database. We use this system regularly for all types of incidents including natural and manmade disasters as well as law enforcement activities such as barricaded subjects, missing persons and manhunts. We also regularly use other means of local media to put out critical information such as evacuation orders, sheltering information and other emergency messaging. We are very fortunate to have great Public Information Office staff that has 24 hour contact and an excellent working relationship with TV, radio and written media. Floodplain Development Permit Requirements Substantial Improvement/damage Requirements Substantial improvement or damage does not, however, include any project for improvement of a building to correct existing violations of State or local health, sanitary, or safety code specifications identified by local code enforcement officials as the minimum specifications necessary to assure safe living conditions. Also excluded from the substantial improvement requirement are alterations to historic buildings as defined by the NFIP. Drainage System Maintenance Call Planning and Zoning at 303.271.8700 with any questions regarding maintenance or including reporting of a violation. Elevation Certificates The Elevation Certificate is required in order to properly rate post-FIRM buildings, which are buildings constructed after publication of the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), for many flood insurance Zones, including AE and A (with BFE). The Elevation Certificate is not required for pre-FIRM buildings unless the building is being rated under the optional post-FIRM flood insurance rules. As part of the agreement for making flood insurance available in Jefferson County, the NFIP requires the county to adopt a floodplain management regulations that specifies minimum requirements for reducing flood losses. One such requirement is for Jefferson County to obtain the elevation of the lowest floor (including basement) of all new and substantially improved buildings and maintain a record of such information. The Elevation Certificate provides a way for Jefferson County to comply with this requirement. Jefferson County Planning and Zoning maintains copies of Elevation Certificates. Copies of Elevation Certificates can be found below or citizens may contact Planning and Zoning at 303.271.8700 with any questions regarding floodplains. 7828 S Flower Street For additional floodplain information or questions please contact Jefferson County Planning and Zoning Division at (303) 271-8700.
Last Modified: Jan 6, 2010 02:03 PM |
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