By John Callen, PE, CFM
From September 2013 Floodplain Management Today
The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources (NDNR) assists National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) participating communities and other government entities throughout the State with a wide range of flood mitigation activities. Recently, NDNR helped the Village of DeWitt, NE obtain grant funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program for a project in the Village.
This project involved installation of several flap gates on existing drainage structures along Highway 103 adjacent to DeWitt. This highway lies between Turkey Creek and the Village of DeWitt. The installation of the flap gates will help reduce the potential for back flow flooding into the Village when Turkey Creek floods. On May 31, 2013, a high water event occurred along Turkey Creek that provided an early test for the newly installed flap gates. They performed as designed and provided effective protection for the Village.
Above is a photo of the project under construction in April and below is a photo of the project in action on May 31, 2013.
One of the reasons this project was funded by FEMA was because of the relatively low cost of the project relative to the benefits. It also fulfills an FMA program requirement of providing flood risk reduction to structures insured under the NFIP.
FMA grants provide a 75% project cost share and can be used either for flood risk mitigation planning or for flood risk mitigation projects. Potential project types include but are not limited to acquisition or elevation of at risk structures, or eligible engineering projects that reduce flood risk to structures. All projects must be cost beneficial according to FEMA’s guidelines and may be subject to other eligibility requirements. Recently, FEMA issued updated guidance for the FMA program and the current FMA funding cycle opportunity, which closes October 18, 2013. FEMA also issued updated guidelines for cost effectiveness determinations for acquisition and elevation projects.
It is now easier to implement these types of mitigation for at risk structures that are in the regulatory floodplain on FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. For more information on the FMA program and information on potential project eligibility or other technical assistance, please contact Katie Ringland at Katie.Ringland@nebraska.gov or go to: https://www.fema.gov/flood-mitigation-assistance-program.
