HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-17-2017 - 4-a - Presentation by State Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Officials on the Countys Floodplain Management Program 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 17, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Presentation by State Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Officials on the County's Floodplain Management Program
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Michael D. Harvey, Planner III, (919) 245-2597
Craig Benedict, Director, (919) 245-2575
PURPOSE: To receive formal recognition by FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Community Rating System (CRS), through the State of North Carolina Department of
Emergency Management, designating that Orange County has achieved a CRS rating of 6.
BACKGROUND: Orange County has been a member of the NFIP since approximately 1976.
The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their
community participates, specifically through the adoption and enforcement of regulations
designed to mitigate/reduce flood risk. This includes the adoption of Flood Insurance Rate
Maps (FIRMs) denoting areas where flooding is a possibility. Through the enforcement of flood
damage prevention regulations, the County requires incorporation of design standards (i.e.
elevation of structures and utilities, installation of flood vents, prohibition of specific activities,
prohibition of structures within the floodplain, etc.) in an effort to reduce the risk of loss during a
flood event.
As part of ongoing floodplain management efforts, Orange County is a participant in the CRS
program, a voluntary incentive based program recognizing communities who implement
floodplain management practices exceeding minimum Federal requirements.
Participating communities are ranked in one of ten `CRS classes' with Class 10 being awarded
to those communities choosing to adopt and enforce the minimum Federal floodplain
management standards. As a community implements additional floodplain management
practices, it is possible to achieve a higher `CRS class' designation thereby contributing to a
reduction of flood insurance premiums for local residents.
As of this date the County has a CRS rating of 8, allowing for a 10% reduction in the typical
floodplain insurance premium for local property owners. Through our continued floodplain
management efforts, including:
a. Comprehensive outreach and education including annual information letters to
property owners encumbered by identified floodplain,
b. Mapping services,
c. Establishment and enforcement of floodplain buffers,
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d. Proactive enforcement efforts, and
e. Willing community partners
the County's CRS rating has been lowered to 6 meaning a further reduction in flood insurance
premiums.
To add perspective, the following represents the CRS ratings for surrounding communities:
Community CRS Rating
City/County of Durham 8
Wake County 10
City of Raleigh 10
Town of Hillsborough 10
Mr. Randy Mundt and/or Mr. Dan Brubaker with the State of North Carolina Department of
Emergency Management will be presenting a plaque denoting the County's new CRS ranking to
the Board of County Commissioners.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Planning staff has determined that continued floodplain management
efforts, including our participation within the CRS program, will not create additional workload
demands and that continued participation within the program can be managed through existing
allocated resources.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice Goal is applicable to
this agenda item:
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends the Board accept the award from the
National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System representative.