Floodplain Management
Resources
Flood
Mapping
Looking for a map? All communities can find their current effective and preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) at FEMA’s Map Service Center by clicking the button below.
Great Lakes Coastal Flood Study
QUESTIONS REGARDING
FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT?
Niagara, Orleans, Monroe, Wayne, Cayuga, & Oswego Counties can be directed to:
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Brienna Wirley, CFM
(585)226-5465
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Jefferson & St. Lawrence Counties can be directed to:
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Mary Binder Gibbs, CFM
(315)705-3038
Most communities along Lake Ontario have older mapping products that did not take into account the effects of wave action and wave runup. FEMA initiated a Great Lakes Coastal Flood Study in 2012 to update the coastal flood hazard information and FIRMs for communities. More information on the study, analysis performed, technical resources, factsheets, etc. can be found here.
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The Coastal Flood map status for Lake Ontario communities varies and is detailed below:
Niagara
County
Became effective May 4, 2021
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Cayuga
County
Became preliminary March 23, 2021 (becomes effective 12-18 months after preliminary date)
Orleans
County
Still draft product
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Oswego
County
Became preliminary April 5, 2021 (becomes effective 12-18 months after preliminary date)
Monroe
County
Will become preliminary June 9, 2021 (becomes effective 12-18 months after preliminary date)
Jefferson
County
Still draft product.
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Wayne
County
Still draft product.
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St. Lawrence County
Not included in study.
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To view communities that still have draft workmaps, use FEMA'S Region II interactive mapper.
Floodplain Management and Local Ordinance
Each community already has a local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance as a requirement for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It designates a local floodplain administrator (typically the code enforcement officer or building inspector) responsible for regulating development within FEMA identified Special Flood Hazard Areas shown on the communities FIRMs. Please click here to view the 9 fundamental duties of a local floodplain administrator.
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DEC has a model local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance which is included as a reference. Also included is the optional additional language that communities can choose to include in their local law to enforce higher standards. Examples include repetitive damage, cumulative substantial improvement, or critical facility requirements.
Flood Insurance
Information on flood insurance can be found at: FloodSmart | The National Flood Insurance Program. Specific questions regarding flood insurance policies and cost should be referred to an insurance agent.
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Want to save your community money on flood insurance? The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary, incentive-based community program that recognizes, encourages, and rewards local floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum standards of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). CRS provides a framework and a variety of technical resources to help participating communities implement a comprehensive flood risk management program designed to reduce and avoid flood losses and to strengthen the insurance aspects of the NFIP. In return, flood insurance rates for existing policyholders community-wide are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from community actions. For more information on CRS, click the button below.
Mitigation Options for Property Owners
The Homeowner’s Guide to Retrofitting (FEMA, 2014) is a guide for homeowners to help them make decisions when retrofitting their homes, and it introduces flood protection methods and building construction techniques. Chapter 5, Elevating Your Home, includes important elevation considerations and techniques. Please refer to Section 5.2.3, Elevating on an Open Foundation.
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The Coastal Construction Manual (FEMA, 2011) is a 2-volume publication that provides a comprehensive approach to planning, siting, designing, constructing, and maintaining homes in the coastal environment. Chapter 15 discusses retrofitting buildings for natural hazards.
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Protecting Building Utility Systems From Flood Damage (FEMA, 2017) - Principles and Practices for the Design and Construction of Flood Resistant Building Utility Systems.
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Additional resources can be found at FEMA’s website under the Building Science Flood Publications here: Building Science - Flood Publications | FEMA.gov
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If your home or business is damaged by a flood, you may be required to meet certain building requirements in your community to reduce future flood damage before you repair or rebuild. To help you cover the costs of meeting those requirements, the National Flood Insurance Program offers Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage. ICC coverage provides up to $30,000 to elevate, relocate, demolish, or floodproof an existing structure to reduce future flood damage. Some resources are listed below.