TAKING MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDSThe Story of Floodplain Remapping in Springfield, Missouri
Todd Wagner, P.E., CFM, CSMPrincipal Stormwater Engineer
&
Errin Kemper, P.E., CFM, CSMProfessional Engineer
Stormwater Engineering DivisionDept of Public Works
City of Springfield, Missouriwww.Springfieldmo.gov/stormwater
FLOODING IN SPRINGFIELD
Springfield
FLOOD INSURANCE STATISTICS
There are currently 1068 structures located in the 100yr floodplain.
As of 2008, the NFIP has 200+ active flood insurance policies in Springfield.
1993
2000
2000
2008
2008
THE REMAPPING PROCESS
TIMELINE OF REMAPPING
1968 – National Flood Insurance Program established nationwide
1978 – FEMA issues first Flood Insurance Rate maps for Greene County
1989 – City of Springfield enters NFIP (using 1978 maps)
1995 – US Army Corps of Engineers (under FEMA direction) produces updated flood maps for Springfield.
PROPOSED 1995 MAPPING
TAKING MATTERS INTO OUR OWN HANDS
TIMELINE CONTINUED…
1999 – Met with FEMA. City receives permission from FEMA to hire a consultant and resubmit flood study
2001 – City submits revised mapping
July 2000– 6-8” in 6hr. Reported damages in
excess of $2M. At least 124 homes
damaged.
2001-2005
New nationwide mapping contractor(s) The City’s review gets delayed City & County become a Cooperating
Technical Partner (CTP) In 2005, in an effort to complete the
Greene County maps, FEMA notifies the City that it must submit new mapping or the previous 1996 study will have to be made effective
REMAPPING…PART 2
2005-2008
City works to convert previous submittal to new mapping standards.
All flood hazard information converted to GIS format
Redelineated several additional streams
Worked with FEMA mapping contractor to address review comments
PRELIMINARY MAPS ISSUED 2008
PUBLIC REVIEW
PUBLIC OUTREACH•Press Conference•5 mass mailings to all affected properties•3 press releases
ELEVATION DATA COLLECTION• City identified over 800 Residential Structures impacted by
the new mapping • Two consulting firms were hired to collect all information
needed to complete an elevation certificate and LOMA. Cost: $115 per home
• Data was used to prioritize stormwater management decisions
FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE
FEMA’s model ordinance with two exceptions:
2-foot freeboard
Existing floodplain storage areas will be “grandfathered”
FINALLY…..ACCEPTANCE
Want new flood maps?
Final Acceptance