Kansas City Water Services participates in FEMA’s Community Rating System (CRS) Program. This is good news for customers. The objective of the CRS is to reward communities that are doing more than meeting the minimum National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements to help their residents prevent or reduce flood losses. The CRS also provides an incentive for communities to initiate new flood mitigation activities.
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- The (CRS) is voluntary program that encourages community involvement in floodplain management activities. The objective of the CRS is to reward communities (by points) for helping their residents prevent or reduce flood losses. The City of Kansas City Water Services participates in this program through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The more CRS activities that the City completes, the more points the City earns. More points translate into increased savings on flood insurance premiums for residents, sometimes up to 45%.
- Kansas City, Mo., is currently a Class 7 Community which reduces flood insurance 15 percent within our City limits.
- What actions does the KC Water take to help reduce Flood Insurance Premiums?
- Reduce flood losses
- Protect public health and safety
- Reduce damage to buildings and contents
- Prevent increases in flood damage from new construction
- Reduce the risk of erosion damage
- Protect natural and beneficial floodplain functions
- Facilitate accurate insurance ratings
- Promote awareness of flood insurance
- Previous versions of KC Water’s Annual Floodplain Management Plan Progress Report
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- FEMA defines a Floodplain as “Any land area susceptible to being inundated by floodwaters from any source.”
- Check the severity of flooding near your home by entering your address at: Search Hazard Zone.
- FEMA floodplains generally stop at one square mile in drainage area size. In the City of Kansas City, Mo., this means 25 percent of the lands have no regulatory floodplain. Remember any stream near a structure can threaten that structure. Near to a stream is a horizontal and vertical concern. You could be far away… and flooded.
- Even with no nearby streams, flooding can happen. The slope of the land may be all it takes. Go to your front, side and backyard and look at the lands slope. Does the land slope away from your structure on all sides? The more area that drains toward your structure, especially from multiple directions, the more potential for flood concerns, even if not within a floodplain. Follow the low paths that water may follow in heavier rains. How much water can be taken on before it reaches the basement, a door, or a window? Can water enter the basement through cracks?
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- All development within the 100-year floodplain(not just construction of buildings, but filling, excavation, fences, etc.) requires an approved Development Permit from the City of Kansas City, Mo., City Planning and Development Department. Applications must be made prior to doing any work in a floodplain area. Violations may require complete restoration and fines. Please contact one of the Codes Building Inspectors to receive all the information you will need in order to properly develop within the floodplain at 816-513-0375. Use this telephone number to report any illegal development activities, as well.
- Information on whether your property is in the 100-year floodplain (an area where flooding has a one percent chance of occurring each year), can be obtained at the City Planning and Development Department. Maps are available to review as well as other flood-related information. The City’s Planning and Development Department, Codes Administration Division also has Elevation Certificates for new developments available. Contact the City Planning and Development Codes Administration Division at 311 or 816-513-1313 for further assistance.
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- Almost any property can have flood risks, but every property within Kansas City, Mo., can obtain flood insurance.
- Be sure to check your policy to ensure you have adequate coverage. Usually, these policies cover the building’s structure, but not the contents. You can get both, just ask. There is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage becomes effective. Plan ahead; do not wait until a flood is predicted before purchasing flood insurance.
- You can obtain flood insurance here or contact your current agent to discuss flood insurance options.
- You can reduce your risk of flooding as well as the potential damage. Visit FEMA’s Flood Smart website to learn more.
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- Do not drive through a flooded area. Do not drive around barriers.
- Do not walk through flowing water.
- Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. If your home is in/near a flooded area, turn off the power at the service box. Electrical currents can travel through water.
- Be alert to gas leaks. Turn off the gas to your home before it floods. If you smell gas, call 911. Do not use candles, lanterns, or open flames if you smell gas or are unsure if your gas has been shut off.
- Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains. Flood waters can carry unimaginable items that may have dislodged themselves.
- Clean everything that has gotten wet. Flood water may be contaminated with sewage and other chemicals which pose severe health threats.
- Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out of their home may seek shelter in yours.
- Do not use gas engines, such as generators, or charcoal fires indoors during power outages. Carbon monoxide exhaust can pose serious health hazards.
Substantial Improvements/Damage:
The National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of improvements to a building or the cost to repair damages (from any cause) to a building exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the building (excluding land value), the entire building must be brought up to current floodplain management standards. Building improvement projects include exterior and interior remodeling, rehabilitation, additions, and repair and reconstruction projects. Additionally, the cost of currently planned improvements will be added to the cost of previously made improvements and compared to the existing market value to determine if the improvements exceed 50 percent of the structure’s value.
Natural and Beneficial Functions:
Floodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to the area around, and including Kansas City, Mo. Floodplains that are relatively undisturbed provide a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems. These benefits provide aesthetic pleasure as well as function to provide active processes such as filtering nutrients.
Floodplains enhance waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife habitats and provide feeding/breeding grounds. They also provide natural erosion control and open space to further reduce flooding damage. Kansas City, Mo., has a powerful Stream Buffer Ordinance, if you see clearing of stream areas or lowlands near them, contact the City Planning and Development Department at 816-513-1500 or planning@kcmo.org sharing location information and images if available. Learn more at: Protecting Floodplain Resources
Drainage System Maintenance:
As simple as it may sound, keeping smaller ditches and streams free of debris can dramatically improve the run-off capacity of low-lying areas, as well as, greatly reduce the occurrence of blockage that significantly contributes to flooding. It is illegal to dump materials into a required waterway and violators may be fined. If you see someone in the act of dumping or see debris in one of our watercourses, please report it with the Action Center by dialing 311 or 816-513-1313.
Flood Warning System:
You can monitor rainfall and streams at www.stormwatch.com for the entire Metropolitan area. Consider obtaining a weather radio and tune into the National Weather Service Advisories as these include the flood warning systems information with better details on damage and timing. You will also see regular interruptions on local radio and television stations advising you of risks. Always remember that you may be the first to notice flooding and have only minutes to execute a plan of action. Never enter water, life is the highest priority, get those with you to higher ground without crossing water and call 911.