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Back Creek Floodplain

SEPTEMBER 2, 2014

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Why are we here Introductions Almost 300 parcels affected by revised flood study of Back Creek Outline

◦ History◦ Study Process◦ Insurance Implications◦ Next Steps

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History Flood Hazard study of Back Creek was performed in 1974

◦ Served as the basis for 1990 FIRM

FEMA Map Modernization – DFIRM 2007

Field surveys identified significant differences between existing land elevations and floodplain elevations of the 2007 DFIRM◦ County reverted to using 1974 elevations rather than the published 2007 &

1990 elevations

1552GROUND

1588 BFE

Flooding wouldbe 36 Ft deep ?

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History – New Maps To Correct Elevations

County asked FEMA to research and correct the error FEMA applied 1974 flood elevations to newer topography Maps provided to county in 2010 No appeals period was provided since there was no new data

1552GROUND

1556 BFE

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History – Public Questions Accuracy

Public questioned accuracy during process of adopting maps County adopted maps to avoid loss of flood insurance countywide Current floodplain maps were effective July 18, 2011

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County and FEMA Conduct New Flood Study

Late 2011 - County contracted Anderson and Associates to perform study◦ $50,000 in grant funding from FEMA through the Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Program◦ $8,500 in grant funding from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

February 2012 - Field/Survey work performed

April 2013 – County portion of study approved by FEMA

During 2013 – Further study by FEMA to delineate additional approximated floodplain areas

February 2014 - Preliminary maps produced by FEMA

Study OverviewNew Detailed Engineering Analysis – Augusta County

Back Creek

New Approximate Engineering Analysis - FEMA

Back Creek (Upstream Section) Mills Creek Orebank Creek Toms Branch North Fork Back Creek South Fork Back Creek

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Study Results

County reviewed mapping at the locations cited by citizens during public meetings

New model appears to agree with anecdotal evidence provided

United Methodist Church Area

2011 2014

2800 Block – Mt Torrey Rd

2011 2014

1700 Block – Mt Torrey Road

2011 2014

Intersection Howardsville Rd – Mt Torrey Road2011 2014

Preliminary to Effective FIRMs

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Prelim

inary

1st n

ewsp

aper

not

ice

2nd ne

wspap

er n

otice

90 days

LFD

Appeal Period

7 days 6 months

CCO Mee

ting

May 20, 2014

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2-3 months

Appea

l res

olutio

n and

DFIRM fin

aliza

tion

Feder

al Reg

ister

30 days

30-d

ay

com

men

t per

iod

30 days

Effect

ive

General Timeline

Feb 28, 2014

July 30, 2014August 7, 2014

November 4, 2014

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Appeals Process The maps may be appealed in four ways:

◦ Corrections to street names◦ Technical appeals to the data used for the map◦ Scientific appeals to the methodology used◦ Appeals based on physical changes to the floodplain

Appeals are to be submitted to Augusta County

Two copies of the appeal should be submitted

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Flood Insurance Implications Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014 Newly identified in Floodplain Newly identified to be outside Floodplain

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Next Steps FEMA will respond to any appeals

FEMA will issue Letter of Final Determination

Maps will have effective date of 6 months from the Letter of Final Determination

County must adopt new maps by the effective date◦ Advertisement / property owner notification◦ Public Hearing

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Helpful links View the floodplain information https://msc.fema.gov Flood risk awareness and how to get flood insurance https://www.floodsmart.gov http://riskmap3.com/action

Interactive floodplain maps

www.tinyurl.com/backcreek2014

Questions?