Desk Reference/Floodplain Management Resources
Floodplain Development Permitting
2025 Model Structural Floodplain Development Permit
2025 Model Structural Floodplain Development Permit - Fillable PDF
Instructions - Structural Floodplain Development Permit
2025 Model Nonstructural Floodplain Development Permit
2025 Model Nonstructural Floodplain Development Permit - Fillable PDF
Instructions - Nonstructural Floodplain Development Permit
Request for Information (RFI) for Incomplete Permit Application
"No-Rise" Certificate Procedures and Sample Certification
Elevation and Dry-floodproofing Certificates
Elevation Certificate - 2023 Edition (Fillable PDF)
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Elevation Certificate - 2023 Edition (Non-fillable PDF)
Elevation Certificate - 2023 Edition (Instructions)
Elevation Certificate Correction Form
CRS Elevation Certificate Checklist - 2022 Edition
Dry Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures
Other Forms
Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form Residential Basement Floodproofing Certificate (5/31/2020) Residential Basement Floodproofing Information
Federal Standards and Authority
State Standards and Authority
Nebraska Revised Statutes §31-1001 to §31-1023
Nebraska Minimum Standards for Floodplain Management Programs (Title 455)
Nebraska Minimum Standards for Floodplain Management Programs (Title 455)
Model Ordinance/Resolution for Local Programs
Every local floodplain management program is supported by a floodplain management ordinance. The ordinance establishes the requirements for development in the identified floodplain. Ordinances must meet the Nebraska Minimum Standards for Floodplain Management Programs as well as the requirements in 44 CFR Chapter 1, Part 60.3. Nebraska's Floodplain Management Division has developed model ordinances that communities can use for a template, provided community staff and boards review it for appropriate inclusion into the broad set of ordinances. All ordinances must be reviewed and approved by NeDNR and FEMA before being adopted.
FEMA 480 Manual, Unit 7: FEMA Ordinance Administration
ASFPM No Adverse Impact: How-to-Guides
ASFPM No Adverse Impact: Elected officials guide to understanding and managing flood risk
Floodplain Management Today Articles:
- "Ugly is Not a Floodplain Violation"
- "Violations and Enforcement Part II: Reaching for the Big Stick"
- "Violations and Enforcement Part III - Big Stick Tools"
NFIP 1316 Declaration or Rescission Review Checklist
Liability For Water Control Structure Failure Due to Flooding
Legal Questions: Government Liability And No Adverse Impact Floodplain Management
Professional Liability for Construction in Flood Hazard Areas
Public Liability for Flood Hazard Mitigation
Case: Mansoldo vs NJ Brief Amicus Curiae 2006
Case: Mansoldo vs NJ - Syllabus 2006
Case: What the Rapanos - Carabell Wetlands Decisions Mean to Floodplain and Stormwater Managers
Case Study: Courts Issue Good News for Floodplain Management
Common Legal Questions About Floodplain Regulations in the Courts
Mitigating Misery: Land Use and Protection of Property Rights Before the Next Big Flood
NAI Flyer: Legal Issues for Community Officials
NAI: Floodplain Management and the Courts 2005
NAI and the Courts: Protecting The Property Rights of All: No Adverse Impact Floodplain and Stormwater Management
Floodplain Management Requirements for Agricultural Structures and Accessory Structures
Agricultural and Accessory Structure Policy (2021) General Principles for Variances Manufactured Homes in SFHAs Requirement for "Reasonably Safe from Flooding" for LOMR-F Placement of Temporary Structures in the Floodway
Technical Bulletin 0 - User's Guide to Technical Bulletins (2021)
Technical Bulletin 1 - Openings in Foundation Walls (2020)
Technical Bulletin 2 - Flood-Damage Resistant Materials Requirements
Technical Bulletin 3 - Non-Residential Floodproofing (2021)
Technical Bulletin 4 - Elevator Installation (2019)
Technical Bulletin 5 - Free-of-Obstruction Requirements (2020)
Technical Bulletin 6 - Below-Grade Parking Requirements (2021)
Technical Bulletin 7 - Wet Floodproofing Requirements (2022)
Technical Bulletin 8 - Corrosion Protection for Metal Connectors (2019)
Technical Bulletin 9 - Design and Construction Guidance for Breakaway Walls (2021)
Technical Bulletin 10 - Reasonably Safe From Flooding
Technical Bulletin 11 - Crawlspace Construction
General NFIP Resources
FEMA Publications Catalog Order Form (2020)
Floodway: Guide for Community Permit Officials (FEMA 4)
Answers to Questions about the NFIP (FEMA 84) (2020)
Guidance for Manufactured Homes in SFHAs (FEMA P-85)
Floodproofing Non-Residential Structures, 1986 (FEMA 102)
Answers to Questions about Substantially Improved/Substantially Damaged Buildings (FEMA 213) (2018)
Retrofitting Flood-prone Residential Structures (FEMA P-259)
Managing Floodplain Development in Approximate A Zones (FEMA 265)
Addressing Your Community's Flood Problems (FEMA 309)
Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting (FEMA P-312)
Taking Shelter from the Storm (FEMA 320)
Elevating Your Floodprone Home (FEMA 347)
Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage (P-348)
Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and Hurricanes (FEMA 361)
Floodplain Management Bulletin - Historic Structures (FEMA P-467-2)
Adoption of FIRMs by Participating Communities (FEMA 495)
Joining the National Flood Insurance Program (FEMA 496)
Federal Acronyms, Abbreviations, and Terms (FEMA 524)
Selecting Appropriate Mitigation Measures for Floodprone Structures (FEMA 551)
Substantial Improvement/Substantial Damage Desk Reference (FEMA P-758)
Natural Hazards and Sustainability for Residential Buildings (P-798)
Floodproofing Non-Residential Structures, 2013 (FEMA P-936)
Variances and the NFIP (FEMA P-993)
Flood Mitigation Measures for Multi-Family Buildings (FEMA P-2037)
Disaster Preparedness
Checklist 1 - Pre/Post Disaster Planning
Checklist 2 - Field Preparations
SDA Notice to Post on Structures
NFIP and SD/SI Informational Handout
Included and Excluded Costs for Damage Repair Estimates
Right of Entry Certification and Release
Percent Damage Estimation Tables
SDA Damage Inspection Worksheet - Residential
SDA Damage Inspection Worksheet - Non Residential
SDA and Permit Requirement Decision Tree
SD Determination Letter - Flood-Related Damage
SD Determination Letter - Not Flood-Related
Floodplain Damages/Improvements Cost Form
NE Model Floodplain Development Permit Application
Building Compliance Requirements in Flood Zone A
FEMA developed the free Substantial Damage Estimator Tool (SDE 3.0) to assist state and local officials in estimating substantial damage for residential and non-residential structures per the National Flood Insurance Program requirements adopted by the communities. The tool assesses damage caused by flood, wind, wildfire, seismic and other events.
Substantial Damage Estimator (SDE) User Manual and Field Workbook
SDE 3.0 Tool Installation Guide
This concise, practical guide introduces key concepts and tools to help emergency managers reduce flood losses, support recovery efforts, and strengthen community resilience. Developed by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) and the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA). The guide is available for download from the ASFPM website using the below link.
FEMA Region VII - Managing the Floodplain Post-Disaster
Starting Your Recovery - Fact Sheet (2021)
How to File Your Flood Insurance Claim
Beyond the Flood - A Prevention Guide for Personal Health and Safety
Wind vs Water Damage - Fact Sheet (2021)
Basement Flooding Infographic (2021)
Are You Ready for a Flood or a Flash Flood?
Repairing Your Flooded Home Protecting Your Property from Flooding
Other Resources
The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program that communities can join to get credit for floodplain management activities above the minimum standards. Communities receive points for those activities and based upon the number of points, flood insurance premiums are reduced for policyholders in the community. CRS is a "win-win" for because it reduces a community's vulnerability to floods and also reduces the cost of flood insurance premiums.
Communities can get points in four different categories:
- Public Information Activities
- Mapping and Regulations
- Flood Damage Reduction Activities
- Warning and Response
The activities within each category are based on the best practices in floodplain management. For example, the more open space a community has in its special flood hazard area, the more resilient from flood damage the community is. Communities are also rewarded for buying out properties in the floodplain to reduce the number of structures at risk to flooding. CRS rewards communities for proactive outreach to residents and businesses as well as for keeping as much data as possible about flood risks.
Each activity in CRS has a set amount of points that a community could obtain. For every 500 points that a community achieves, its policyholders receive an additional 5% discount. Each 500 points counts as a class improvement, so the lower the class the more discount available. Eight communities in Nebraska currently participate in CRS:
- City of Lincoln - Class 5 (25% reduction)
- City of Papillion - Class 7 (15% reduction)
- City of Omaha - Class 7 (15% reduction)
- City of Fremont - Class 8 (10% reduction)
- City of Scottsbluff - Class 8 (10% reduction)
- City of Valley - Class 9 (5% reduction)
- City of Waverly - Class 9 (5% reduction)
- City of Waterloo - Class 9 (5% reduction)
Every community in Nebraska is automatically eligible for up to 250 points based on minimum standards set by the state floodplain management regulations. Freeboard requirements, or requirements that structures be elevated one foot above base flood elevation, mean communities will receive points. Communities located downstream from a high hazard potential dam will receive points based on the Nebraska Dam Safety section's programs. And if your community has an online assessor's map from the county, 50 more points may be available because of the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division's interactive floodplain map.
Communities interested in joining CRS or just learning more about it should contact Elijah Kaufman at the Nebraska Floodplain Management Division at elijah.kaufman@nebraska.gov or 402-471-0640. He can walk you through the steps of the application and connect you with the appropriate national-level contact.
And for more resources, visit: CRS Resources
