Many sources contribute to Urban Flooding. These can be heavy rainfall, inadequate stormwater systems and complex urban environments that impede flow. In 2016, the Center for Disaster Resilience at the University of Maryland and Center for Texas Beaches and Shores at Texas A&M University, Galveston Campus initiated a joint study to identify the principal causes of flooding, determine the extent and consequences of urban flooding in the United States, and explore what actions might be taken to mitigate this flooding in the future. Center researchers analyzed available data concerning urban flooding, surveyed municipal flood and stormwater managers, and met with professionals whose disciplines intersect with urban flooding at the local, state, and national level.
A notable conclusion of the report was that Governments, at all levels, have not provided effective means to communicate risks to property owners/renters in urban flood-prone areas. A significant number of these areas are not identified by maps produced under the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), and action by those responsible for urban flood mitigation are needed to delineate these areas. Public officials and developers often avoid communicating about flood risk because it is often seen as a negative.
In addition to regular plans that municipal officials make for the oversight of flood, water, wastewater, and stormwater management in their jurisdictions, the report recommends that plans to mitigate for the effects of urban flooding also be considered. Additionally, the report recommends that local municipal officials engage in effective multi-jurisdictional planning with activities and services on a geographic scale to match the problems that are being addressed.
Homeowners, condo owners, renters, and business owners are eligible to purchase flood insurance through the NFIP, if the local community participates in the program, even if the insurable property is located outside of the regulatory or mapped floodplains. Private flood insurance (not part of the NFIP) may also be available. Flood insurance is sold by licensed insurance agents. The NFIP standard flood insurance policy pays for direct physical damage to your insured property up to the replacement cost or actual cash value (ACV) of damages, or the policy limits of coverage. Contact a local agent by calling 1.800.427.4661 or visit www.floodsmart.gov to locate a list of agents in your area.
Should I Sign This LOMR-F Community Acknowledgement Form?
Imagine that you are a local floodplain manager and a resident contacts you and says they are applying to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F). The landowner placed fill around the foundation and has a survey that shows that the lowest adjacent grade (LAG) – or the lowest ground touching the building – is above the base flood elevation (BFE). To complete their LOMR-F application, they need to have someone from the city sign the “Community Acknowledgement Form.”
You check your records and see that house has a basement. You ask if they filled in the basement, and they say “no.”
What do you tell them?
In this case, in order for the surveyed LAG to be valid, the basement would need to be filled in prior to signing the Community Acknowledgement Form.” FEMA regulations state that the Community Acknowledgement form cannot be signed until the structure meets all Federal, State and local floodplain management requirements. The local community is responsible to make sure the structure meets all floodplain management regulations and is “reasonably safe from flooding.”
Letters of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F)
There are times when a location is accurately mapped “in” the special flood hazard area (the one percent annual chance floodplain, aka the “100-year floodplain”) because the site is low at the time the mapping is done. However, if the landowner constructs a building in accordance with the community’s floodplain regulations, it is possible to apply to FEMA for a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F), and get a document that says the building is officially moved “out” of the floodplain and is not subject to the mandatory flood insurance requirements.
In order to receive a LOMR-F, the applicant submits supporting data. In the federal regulations section titled “Revision to special hazard area boundaries with no change to base flood elevation determinations” (44 CFR 65.5) there is specific guidance on what data must be submitted.
The details about the requirements for a LOMR-F are in 44 CFR 65.5, but there are two key data requirements:
(1) “A topographic map or other information . . .” (typically a survey) that confirms the lowest adjacent grade - the lowest place the ground touches the building – is at or above the base flood elevation (BFE).
(2) “Written assurance by the participating community that they have complied with the appropriate minimum floodplain management requirements under Section 60.3.” This section says that the community is assuring that: the lowest floor of any existing building is above the BFE, any existing or future building will be “reasonably safe from flooding,” and all necessary permits were issued.
Since “reasonably safe from flooding” is not defined in the code of federal regulations, the community must reference FEMA Technical Bulletin 10-01 “Ensuring that Structures Built on Fill In or Near Special Flood Hazard Areas are Reasonably Safe From Flooding (2001). In this technical bulletin it explains that IF a full or partial lot LOMR-F is obtained first, specific construction standards may be used for a basement that meets the “reasonably safe from flooding” requirement.
Removal of lands shall also apply to all provisions within a Letter of Map Revision based on Fill (LOMR-F) requirements. Please consult with your local legal counsel on the community’s liability with signing the Community Acknowledgement Form.
Does a LOMR-F take the property out of the floodplain?
A LOMR-F removes the mandatory flood insurance requirement. In FEMA’s eyes, the building is not in the special flood hazard area anymore. However, when the community signed the Community Acknowledgement Form, they vouched that any existing or proposed structures meet the floodplain regulations and are “reasonably safe from flooding”. Please review your floodplain ordinance standards for removal of lands from the floodplain as there are additional State requirements such as the fill around the structure must be 2 feet above the BFE and the fill is contiguous to land outside the floodplain. Also, if the site is within a shoreland district, the community's Shoreland Management regulations would still require minimum elevations.
When a property receives a LOMR-F this does not mean the flood risk is eliminated, it just has been reduced. Landowners are highly encouraged to purchase flood insurance to protect their investment. With the LOMR-F, flood insurance policies may be available at a reduced cost.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has forecasted that the State of Wisconsin will see above average precipitation over the next 3-months (May – July 2020). These conditions would continue the trend in recent years of wetter than normal conditions in the State of Wisconsin. Many river gauges throughout Wisconsin, especially in the southwest region of the state, are forecasted to have a 25% chance or greater of long-range flood risk.
Great Lakes water levels have been on an upward trend. During the period of 2017-2020 the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) indicates that the great lakes have experienced record rises and record highs, compared to water levels and rises over the last 102 years. The ACOE also stated that the water level of Lake Michigan-Huron has been above average every month since November 2014, a streak of 62 consecutive months. These high-water level trends are predicted to continue through the 2020 season.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A FLOOD WARNING, FIND SAFE SHELTER RIGHT AWAY
Flooding occurs in every U.S. state and territory, and is a threat experienced anywhere in the world that receives rain. In the U.S., floods kill more people each year than tornadoes, hurricanes or lightning.
NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is one of the best ways to receive warnings from the National Weather Service. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations broadcasting continuous weather and river information direct from nearby NWS offices. Also, the NWS web site provides forecasts and warnings, and identifies where flooding is occurring.
For more information:
Local Forecast - weather.gov
Long-Range Outlooks - cpc.ncep.noaa.gov
River Forecasts - water.weather.gov/aphs/forecasts.php
Weather & Climate Data - ncei.noaa.gov
Ready.gov - https://www.ready.gov/floods
MEET OUR NEW DNR DAM SAFETY/FLOODPLAIN STAFF
The DNR Dam Safety/Floodplain Management Program is pleased to announce that five regional water management engineers (WMEs) joined our team this spring! They will be based out of these DNR service centers:
Forrest Van Asten - Rhinelander
Megan Duffy - La Crosse
Hannah Johnson - Wiscosnin Rapids
Uriah Monday - Fitchburg
Mike Stone - FitchburgForrest Van Asten - Rhinelander
Regional WMEs are your local contacts for technical questions on dams and floodplain studies. These staff also assist with floodplain management. A complete list of the WMEs by county, including telephone numbers, email addresses and mailing addresses is available on the Dam Safety web page.
Forrest Van Asten, Water Management Engineer, Rhinelander, WI
Igrew up in the Town of Suamico, just north of Green Bay, WI. I attended Michigan Technological University and graduated in 2007 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Upon graduating, I began working for WisDOT in highway design and construction out of their Green Bay office. In 2008, I married my wife Carolyn, who I had met at college. Later that year, we moved to her hometown of Tomahawk, and I was able to transfer to WisDOT’s Rhinelander office.
Since that time, I have continued to work in highway design and construction. However, in my college years, I emphasized in Water Resources related engineering classes, and was always hoping to someday work more specifically in that field. That is why I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to work for WDNR as a Water Management Engineer.
My wife and I continue to live in Tomahawk. We have three children, ages 5, 8, and 9. We live on the Wisconsin River in Tomahawk, and enjoy fishing, boating, skiing, and kayaking. I also own a deer camp in Escanaba, MI with my dad and brother. If I’m not deer hunting in the U.P., I’m usually fishing, hiking, or camping up there. I consider it my second home, even though my Yooper friends might disagree (since I wasn’t born there).
Megan Duffy, Water Management Engineer, La Crosse, WI
I just graduated from UW-Madison in December 2019 with a degree in Biological Systems Engineering. I just joined the DNR as a Water Management Engineer and am very excited about the opportunity to work for such a great department. I'm from the Milwaukee area, but I look forward to moving to La Crosse and being able to explore the area and all of the outdoor activities that are available there. In my free time I like to relax with hiking and painting, but I'm always looking for new activities to try.
Hanna Johnson, Water Management Engineer, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
I’m Hanna Johnson, my husband, Aaron and I live in rural Juneau County with our dog, 2 horses, 2 cats and 8 chickens. We love being outdoors and enjoy many outdoor activities: hiking/walking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, gardening, wild foraging, etc.
I graduated from UW-Madison in May 2011 with my B.S. in Civil and Environmental Engineering with the Environmental Option and a certificate in Environmental Studies. I served as a Project Engineer/Leader for WisDOT in the Project Development Section for just over 6 years. I then went to work for CEP Engineering, LLC as a Project Manager where I continued to work on WisDOT projects, along with county bridge inspections and DOA projects. I have worked for CEP for just over 2 years.
I am thrilled to start my new position with the DNR!
Uriah Monday, Water Management Engineer, Fitchburg, WI
Uriah joined our team on January 21, 2020 and in his words, “I’m coming to DNR after 21+ years as a civil engineering consultant. Over my professional years, I’ve had experience in everything from surveying and land development to municipal roadway and utility design to stormwater management and waterway/wetlands permitting to floodplain analysis and dam design. I like being hands on and really getting a feel for project settings and places. I really enjoy what I call “forensic” modeling and numerical analysis – things like calibrations and scenario reconstructions – it’s particularly satisfying when you hit that “aha” moment and find the key to solving a vexing problem, and then coming up with a viable solution.
I’m a Wisconsin native, and have lived “up north”, in the southeast part of the state, and in the greater Madison area over the course of my lifetime. My wife of nearly 20 years is a Chicago-suburb native and has adapted well to Sconnie culture – she’s as fond as the Packers, Badgers, and supper clubs as the rest of us, but will never ever give up her beloved Cubbies. We have two high-school-aged sons and have gotten involved in the band program, choir, Scouts, and other community activities. I pretty much like doing anything with my family. Camping, canoeing, hiking, and fishing are popular with the kids, my wife and I like “supper clubbing” and finding a good glass of wine and/or craft beer, and I personally enjoy cooking – mainly because I also enjoy eating!
I’ve worked with many of the folks here at DNR over the years, and have had many positive interactions with them. I am excited to learn here in my new experience, and be part of helping keep Wisconsin the great place that I know it is.”
Mike Stone, Water Management Engineer, Fitchburg, WI
I grew up in Wausau, WI. I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated in the spring of 2011 with a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering. I began my career out of college by working for Fickett Structural Solutions in Middleton, WI for almost three years. At Fickett, I was involved with Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) sign inspections along with structural steel and welding fabrication and inspection for EPIC Systems in Verona, WI. I then went to work for Collins Engineers in Milwaukee and have been with them for the past six years. I was mainly involved with WisDOT projects which included some construction inspection of roadways and bridges and structural inspections of signs, culverts, walls, and bridges.
When I’m not at work I enjoy being with my friends and family in the great outdoors. My favorite activities include hunting and fishing and anything outside. I’ve been hunting since I was six years old and fishing since I was a baby. I always look forward to fall and hunting season, but I also love to go up north to my family’s cabin in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, sharing my love of the outdoors with my wife and our 10-month-old daughter.