TAKING MATTERS INTO YOUR OWN HANDSThe Story of Floodplain Remapping in Springfield, Missouri

Todd Wagner, P.E., CFM, CSMPrincipal Stormwater Engineer

twagner@springfieldmo.gov

&

Errin Kemper, P.E., CFM, CSMProfessional Engineer

ekemper@springfieldmo.gov

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