Floodplain Management
Floodplain management are the corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage. These measures are adopted by state and local governments so that the citizens in the community will be eligible to purchase flood insurance.
National Flood Insurance Program
The NFIP is a federal program enabling property owners in participating communities to purchase insurance protection against losses from flooding. This insurance is designed to provide an alternative to government assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and replacing properties lost as a result of flooding. If a community adopts and enforces a floodplain management ordinance to reduce future flood risks to new construction in Special Flood Hazard Areas, the federal government will make flood insurance available within the community.
A list of NFIP Guidance Material Essentials (PDF) can be utilized to find relevant information available on the NFIP, including technical bulletins, templates, forms, links, documents, and training resources.
A new federal law, the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, will change flood insurance rates. Expected changes to the flood insurance program are explained in Analysis of Expected Changes to the Flood Insurance Program (PDF).
Floodplain Mapping Program
In cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the State developed the Floodplain Mapping Program to aid FEMA's Flood Hazard Mapping. New York State Preliminary Floodplain Maps and mapping status updates are available in the "Links Leaving DEC's Website" in the right column on this page via the FEMA Region Support Center (RSC) website.
Reducing Flood Damage - State and National Information Resources
See the links at right (under "Links Leaving DEC's website) to state and national associations like the Association of Floodplain Managers (ASFM) and the New York State Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Association for guidance on floodplain management policy and practice.
The ASFM's "No Adverse Impacts Toolkit" (see link at right), offers local governments a way to prevent the worsening of flooding and other negative impacts on the community.
More about Floodplain Management:
- Floodplain Management Requirements After a Flood - Guidance for rebuilding substantially damaged structures after a flood
- Floodplain Management Guidance - Information and materials for communities interested in joining the National Flood Insurance Program.
- Floodplain Development And Floodway Guidance - Provides technical assistance for communities when development is proposed in the floodplain
- Floodplain Management Training Resources - Schedule of statewide training for floodplain management and coastal erosion
