DNREC announces that federal flood insurance is now available in New Castle County’s Village of Arden

Arden Village becomes 49th community in Delaware to participate in FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program

DOVER – The Village of Arden in New Castle County has become the latest Delaware community to participate in the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program, with flood insurance now available to property owners in the Village, DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship announced today.

DNREC’s Flood Management Program assisted New Castle County in submitting the Village of Arden’s application to join the national flood insurance program and become the 49th community in the state to participate in the program. The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the village’s application to participate March 11.

With DNREC Flood Management Program guidance for getting NFIP coverage, the Village of Arden adopted floodplain regulations that contain many of the higher standards that were recommended by Senate Bill 64. The community will now require 18 inches of freeboard for all new construction and substantially improved structures.

FEMA’s flood insurance rate maps indicate where the floodplain boundaries are located and the areas of greatest flood risk. Delaware residents can find the maps on DNREC’s website at maps.dnrec.delaware.gov/navmap/.

Lenders must require borrowers whose properties are located in a designated Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally- backed mortgage loan in accordance with the Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Property owners not located within an SFHA can voluntarily purchase flood insurance from any agent or broker licensed to do business in Delaware. There is generally a 30-day waiting period before a newly-purchased flood insurance policy goes into effect. DNREC’s Flood Management Program advises that you contact your insurance company for any exceptions to this policy.

Residents of the Village of Arden will be able to purchase flood insurance up to the limits under the regular phase of the program. For single family dwellings, the standard policy building coverage limit is $250,000, and the contents coverage limit is $100,000.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program boats more than 5.5 million flood insurance policies in more than 22,000 participating communities nationwide.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 86


DNREC announces new flood risk maps for New Castle County become effective February 4

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship announced today that new flood risk maps for New Castle County will be released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on February 4. The maps can be found online at http://msc.fema.gov/portal.

Over the past 10 years, DNREC, through its Division of Watershed Stewardship, has worked with FEMA to improve the accuracy of flood risk maps statewide through a Cooperating Technical Partnership. The new flood risk maps for Kent County became effective in July 2014, and new Sussex County maps will be released on March 16. Those maps can also be found at http://msc.fema.gov/portal.

The New Castle County maps reflect several additions and changes from previous flood risk maps. New flood zones and base flood elevations have been established along the Delaware River and all tidal areas, following completion of a coastal flood study by the US Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA. In addition, watershed studies in the Appoquinimink, Red Clay Creek, White Clay Creek, Mill Creek and Belltown Run Watersheds that were performed by DNREC under a partnership agreement with FEMA are shown on the maps.

“Hydrologic studies that determine water flows, base flood elevations and accurate floodplain boundaries were performed by DNREC on about 30 miles of waterways in the Appoquinimink Watershed,” said Michael Powell, program manager for DNREC’s Division of Watershed Stewardship. “With these results, base flood elevations for many areas are now shown on FEMA’s maps for the first time, providing property owners with more detailed and accurate flood risk assessments.”

The flood risk maps are used by insurance companies to establish property rates and by local communities to enforce local floodplain codes. In conjunction with the release of the new flood risk maps, several communities in New Castle County have recently amended local codes to adopt higher floodplain development standards. Many of these higher standards – such as first-floor freeboard (building living space to a margin of safety above predicted flood levels), and limiting development in floodplains and flood resistant foundation designs – were recommended by the Delaware Floodplain and Drainage Advisory Committee, formed as a result of Senate Bill 64, which supports more effective floodplain management standards.

“Many of these higher standards – especially establishing at least 18 inches of freeboard and siting new buildings away from high risk floodplains – can result in significantly lower flood insurance premiums for property owners,” Powell said.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to local property owners. Mortgage lenders require borrowers whose properties are located in a designated special flood hazard area to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally backed mortgage loan in accordance with the Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Over the past several years, DNREC has helped several Delaware communities join the National Flood Insurance Program.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage incurred by flooding, however, all property owners can purchase flood insurance. Homeowners interested in how the proposed changes could impact the cost of their flood insurance premium should contact their insurance agent.

For information on the flood risk maps, contact Michael Powell or Greg Williams, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship at (302) 739-9921. For information on the DNREC’s flood mitigation program, please visit DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Drainage/Pages/Flooding.aspx.

Media Contact: Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 45, No. 23


Emergency Preparedness and Response Workshop for Faith Leaders Scheduled

(Smyrna) –  The Delaware Council of Faith Based Partnerships (DCFBP) will host a half-day workshop on Wednesday, June 18, 2014, at the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) offices  in Smyrna.  The Delaware Citizen Corps, which coordinates activities and training for volunteers during emergencies, is working with the DCFBP to conduct the workshop.

The workshop is scheduled to begin with networking and a luncheon at 11:30am.  Delaware Governor Jack Markell, who created the DCFBP through an executive order, will be in attendance and is scheduled to address workshop attendees.  The Reverend David L. Myers, Senior Advisor to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator, and Director, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center for Faith-based Partnerships, is scheduled to speak to attendees.

Workshop participants will receive an overview of DEMA and its functions during emergency events.  Attendees will also be given an overview of Citizen Corps and Citizen Emergency Response Teams (CERT).  Other workshop topics include: Individual and Family Preparedness, Preparing Houses of Worship for Emergencies, and Service and Partnership Opportunities.

Members of the DCFBP are appointed by the Governor and Lt. Governor and serve as interfaith volunteers.  The Council operates without state funding and partners with government agencies and non-profit groups to address community needs.  Currently, the following faiths are represented on the Council:  African Methodist Episcopal, Baptist, Episcopalian, Jewish, Latter-day Saints (Mormon), Muslim, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic.

Interested parties can still register to attend the workshop by email by contacting de.cfbp@gmail.com, or by phoning Flora McConkie (302) 633-4825.  There is no fee to attend the workshop.  Seating is limited and reservations close on June 16.


Delaware Citizen Corps Recognized By FEMA

 (Smyrna) – The Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA) is proud to acknowledge special recognition given to Delaware Citizen Corps.  Citizen Corps is a volunteer-centered organization that conducts public education and outreach about emergency preparedness, and conducts training to help volunteers play important roles during disasters.

Delaware Citizen Corps was honored by Region III of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in two categories.  The organization was awarded for Outstanding State Citizen Corps Council Initiatives, and in the classification of Preparing the Whole Community.  This is the third consecutive year in which the Delaware Citizen Corps has received a National Citizen Corps Council award.

DEMA Director Jamie Turner joined with FEMA in hailing the Citizen Corps preparedness efforts: “I am proud of the work done throughout the year by Citizen Corps.   Their efforts are an important part in preparing Delaware for potential disasters of all kinds.  Through continued work with the City of Wilmington, New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties, state and local Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT), and events such as the Family Emergency Preparedness Day, and Citizen Corps Preparedness Night at Blue Rocks Stadium, Citizen Corps provides a valuable service to the entire state. ”

Delaware Citizen Corps works under the umbrella of the Delaware Emergency Management Agency (DEMA).


DNREC announces preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for portions of Kent County now available from FEMA

DOVER (April 12, 2013) – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has announced that preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps for portions of Kent County have been released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The preliminary maps are available online at www.rampp-team.com/de.htm.  

DNREC’s Shoreline and Waterway Management Section worked with FEMA to produce the new preliminary flood risk maps for Kent County. FEMA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted the modeling and mapping for the tidal portions of the Delaware Bay in Kent County. DNREC in cooperation with URS Corporation conducted the modeling and mapping of the non-tidal portions of Kent County in the Murderkill watershed.

The preliminary maps include proposed changes to the existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps in Kent County along the Delaware Bay shoreline and adjacent tidal floodplains and the non-tidal portions of the Murderkill watershed upstream to Harrington. The proposed changes include additions or modifications of base flood elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries, zone designations or regulatory floodways.

FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available to local property owners. Mortgage lenders require borrowers whose properties are located in a designated special flood hazard area to purchase flood insurance as a condition of receiving a federally backed mortgage loan in accordance with the Federal Disaster Protection Act of 1973. Over the past several years, DNREC has helped several Delaware communities join the national flood insurance program.

Standard homeowners insurance does not cover damage incurred by flooding, however, all property owners can purchase flood insurance. Homeowners interested in how the proposed changes could impact the cost of their flood insurance premium should contact their insurance agent.

The Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps and the Flood Insurance Study report for Kent County watersheds and communities are available for review online www.rampp-team.com/de.htm and can also be viewed at respective Community Map Repository address listed in the table below.

Community Community Map Repository Address
Kent County, Delaware, and

Incorporated Areas

Preliminary Maps Available for Inspection Online at: www.rampp-team.com/de.htm
   
City of Dover City Hall, Planning Department and Inspection, 15 Loockerman Plaza, Dover, DE 19901.
City of Harrington City Hall, 106 Dorman, Harrington, DE 19952.
Town of Bowers Bowers Town Hall, 3308 Main Street, Frederica, DE 19946.
Town of Camden Town Hall, 1783 Friends Way, Camden, DE 19934.
Town of Felton Town Hall, 24 East Sewell Street, Felton, DE 19943.
Town of Frederica Town Hall, 2 East David Street, Frederica, DE 19946.
Town of Leipsic Town Hall, 207 Main Street, Leipsic, DE 19901.
Town of Little Creek Little Creek Fire Hall, 311 Main Street, Little Creek, DE 19961.
Town of Smyrna Town Hall, 27 South Market Street, Smyrna, DE 19977.
Town of Wyoming Municipal Building, 1 North Railroad Avenue, Wyoming, DE 19934.
Unincorporated Areas of Kent County Kent County Administrative Complex, Department of Planning Services, 555 Bay Road, Dover, DE 19901

The effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which indicate the current floodplain boundaries and areas of greatest flood risk, can be found at www.msc.fema.gov.

Public comments on the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Maps, identified by Docket No. FEMA-B-1301, can be submitted in writing to Luis Rodriguez, Chief, Engineering Management Branch, Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration, FEMA, 500 C Street SW., Washington, DC 20472, (202) 646-4064, or by email Luis.Rodriguez3@fema.dhs.gov. The federal register notice can be viewed at https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2013/04/04/2013-07817/proposed-flood-hazard-determination.

For additional information on the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps, contact Greg Williams or Michael Powell, DNREC Division of Watershed Stewardship at (302) 739-9921. For information on the DNREC’s flood mitigation program, visit DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/swc/Drainage/Pages/Flooding.aspx

Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 43, No 143

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