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What is a Flood Plain?
A flood plain is a geographic area subject to
flooding; land adjacent to a waterway necessary to contain a flood. Flood plains
can be associated with rivers, lakes, streams, channels, even small creeks that
are normally dry most of the year. There are two types of flood plains we
generally deal with:
-
25 year flood plain: an area
subject to flooding as a result of the occurrence of a 25 year storm event-
a storm that has a 4% chance of occurring in any given year.
-
100 year flood plain: an area
subject to flooding as a result of the occurrence of a 100 year storm event-
a storm that has a 1% chance of occurring in any given year.
See also the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
website for more information on
flood plains and flood plain management.
Flood Plain Regulations in Williamson County
Flood plain regulations are enforced to protect public safety and health. In
addition, they encourage sound engineering practices and efficient flood plain
management techniques. All construction in Williamson County must adhere to federal
flood plain
regulations. Regulations are established by the Federal Government and
implemented by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The WCCHD Environmental
Health Services staff is responsible for examining construction
for compliance with local and federal flood plain regulations.
Evaluating and Permitting Flood Plains
WCCHD Environmental Health Services is
the designated flood plain administrator for
Williamson County. Official flood plain maps for the County are available
for viewing in our office at 303 Main Street, Georgetown, TX, 78626. Flood plain permitting
within various cities in Williamson County are handled by those cities
directly.
Currently, residents can come to the Environmental Health Services
office for consultation to determine whether any specific location is within the
flood plain. Alternatively, FEMA maintains a website (http://store.msc.fema.gov)
where you can view the same maps we have. A
Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is required for all structures in the WCCHD
jurisdiction. The
Certificate of Compliance permit verifies that no mapped 100 year flood
plain exists on the property.
Flood Plain Development Permit
If your property is in the
flood plain you will need to elevate the structure higher than the base flood
elevation. A flood plain permit will be required. To receive a permit residents
must obtain a permit application packet. Included in the packet are instructions
and the forms necessary for the flood plain development permit:
To complete this process you must hire a surveyor to
certify the elevation of the structure and complete the elevation certificate.
Completion of the process qualifies the home for the National Flood Insurance
Program (NFIP). Development within the flood way is prohibited except with
extensive engineering and flood proofing. The
Williamson County Flood Damage
Prevention Ordinance contains the full text of regulations.
If you have
questions please contact the Environmental Health Services office at (512)
943-3620.
Important Note: As of November 1, 2005, WCCHD Environmental Health
Services stopped issuing the 3-part
form entitled the “Williamson County Flood Plain Management Program Elevation
Certificate” and began asking applicants to have their surveyors or
engineers use the “Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood
Insurance Program Elevation Certificate” (FEMA Form No. 81-31) relating to new
permit applications.
FEMA Map Service Center and Flood Map Store
Digital versions and images of flood maps are now available for viewing and
printing from the on-line FEMA Flood Map Store at:
http://msc.fema.gov/. This
on-line store provides paper, scanned images on CD-ROM, and downloads of maps.
The Flood Map Store allows users to create a FIRMette at no cost. A FIRMette is
a section of the flood hazard map at 100% scale that can be printed on standard
paper sizes (8.5 x 11, 8.5 x 14, and 11 x 17).
Forms, Permits and Contact Information
Visit our Forms Library to download Flood
Plain Management forms, permits and applications.
Contact Environmental Health Services at (512) 943-3620 for further information
or questions. See also
Locations & Hours for Environmental
Health Services office
locations and hours, and the Telephone
Directory for a list of helpful numbers.
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