Floodplain Management: from Planning to Compliance

With the increase in frequency and intensity of disasters, particularly flooding, communities have the impetus to plan ahead, not just through emergency management, but also in how they build and/or conserve their environment. Flood planning and floodplain management can include a variety of strategies, with a flood damage prevention ordinance perhaps being the most basic and significant. Yet, what happens once the ordinance has been adopted? Not only do property owners have to comply with the ordinance; community officials and staff must also maintain development records to comply with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The floodplain administrator may have responsibilities that align with other duties and departments. Post-disaster recovery and repairs are as significant to the ordinance as new construction as well. In fact, communities should also have a Substantial Damage (SD) plan that aligns with their ordinance and may require coordination across different departments. Recently, FEMA and State officials are placing greater emphasis on compliance with SD plans. A strong SD plan and floodplain management program can help reduce the number of Repetitive Loss structures, improve long term resilience, and play an important part in planning for the community as a whole. In this presentation, staff from the Texas Water Development Board will cover the principles of floodplain management, compliance with the NFIP, and how proactive planning reduces flood risk and protects against the loss of life and property.