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Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3257 approving and adopting Flood Insurance Rate Maps as revised effective July 7, 2014; amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, "Floods", Article II, "Flood Damage Prevention", Division 1, Generally, Section 42-37, "Basis for Establishing the Area of Special Flood Hazards"; and take appropriate action.
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BACKGROUND:
The City of Farmers Branch participates in the National Flood Insurance Program in order for residents to be eligible to purchase flood insurance underwritten by the federal government. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA, is the administrator of the flood insurance program and publishes the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). The map is used by the City to regulate activities within the 100-year flood plain. The map is also used by insurance companies and mortgage companies to determine the rate that residents pay for flood insurance.
FEMA recently published an updated FIRM map. The FIRM map was last published in 2001. The updated map reflects map amendments and map revisions submitted by property owners and approved by FEMA since 2001.
A map revision can result from updated hydrologic and hydraulic studies of all or portions of a creek that shows that the location and elevation of the 100-year floodplain has changed. Licensed professional engineers must perform the studies. Since 2001 there has been one study performed on Rawhide Creek.
DISCUSSION:
FEMA requires that the City Council adopt the updated map by Ordinance before July 7, 2014; otherwise the City could be suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program. Draft copies of the new map were provided to the City in August 15, 2012. City Administration has reviewed the maps and is in agreement with the revised drawings. An electronic format of the FIRM maps should be available in the Public Works Department later this year. The final maps will also be available on the FEMA website.
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