On July 29th, Gary Heinrichs, flood plain program manager and planner at the WI DNR, joined our host Brian Standing on the 8 O’clock Buzz to discuss floodplains and how flood prediction affects building zoning and insurance.
Generally, floods are the only predictable natural disaster. Flood insurance premiums are based on elevation difference and the risk of floods happening in your area. If you are planning to build on a flood plain, you need to contact the local level of government to discuss the flood plain zoning ordinance.
Unfortunately, not everything is flood mapped in Wisconsin. In addition, we have seen unusual rainfall patterns in recent years, during which large amounts of rain in short periods of time create flooding. In Wisconsin, however, we are trying to stay ahead of the game by requiring the lowest floor of structure be at the flood protection level which is 2 feet above the base flood elevation.
Heinrichs also explained how FEMA and other organizations that provide flood relief are facing debt because of the clean-up aftermaths of Superstorm Sandy and Hurricane Katrina. As a result, flood premiums are set to rise over the next several years to make up this deficit and prepare for natural disasters in the future.