Government

FLOOD SAFETY

The following common sense guidelines can help you from the dangers of flooding:

• Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in cars than any where else. Do not drive around barriers.

• Do not walk through flowing water. Currents can be deceptive. Six inches of water can knock you off your feet.

CITY OF ASSARIA

FLOOD

INFORMATION

• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.

If your house is about to be flooded, turn off the power at the service box. Electrical current can travel through water. Electrocution is the 2^nd leading cause of death during floods.

• Be alert to gas leaks. Turn off the gas to your house before it floods. If you smell gas, report it to a Village official or your gas company. 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 the flood waters, ditches,

culverts and storm drains. Floodwaters can carry

unimaginable items that have dislodged themselves.

Culverts may suck smaller people into them rendering

them helpless.

• Clean everything that has been wet. Flood water

will 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.

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES

If your property is susceptible to flooding, there are many flood damage reduction measures you can employ.

• Watertight seals can be applied to brick and block

walls to protect against low-level flooding.

• Utilities such as heating and air conditioning

systems, water heaters and other major appliances

can be elevated to higher floors in the structure or

on raised platforms.

• Temporary measures such as moving furniture and other valuables to higher floors or sandbagging exterior openings will also help.

• Elevating or relocating the entire structure may also

be a feasible option.

FLOODPLAIN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS

All development within the 100-yr. floodplain (not just construction of buildings, but filling, excavation, fences, etc.) is required to obtain a City of Assaria Floodplain Development Permit/Application. Applications must be made prior to doing any work in a floodplain area. Please contact the City of Assaria City Inspector to receive all the information you will need in order to properly develop in the floodplain at (785) 667-5595. You may report any illegal development activities to the above number as well.

SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENT/DAMAGE

The NFIP requires that if the cost of improvements to a building or the cost to repair damages (from any cause) to a building exceeds 50% 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% of the structure’s value. Please contact the City of Assaria’s Inspector at (785) 667-5595 for further information.

FLOOD INSURANCE

If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from floods. Flood insurance is only available to those participating communities in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Because of our floodplain management programs that attempt to protect us from the multiple flooding hazards, City of Assaria is part of the NFIP and thus, residents are able to obtain flood insurance. Additionally, because the City of Assaria participates in FEMA’s CRS program, flood insurance premiums are discounted.

Be sure to check your policy to ensure you have adequate coverage. Usually these policies cover the building structure, but not the contents. Contents coverage can also be obtained by asking. 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.

If you are building inside the floodplain, the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory if using a federally regulated/insured bank for a loan.

NATURAL & BENEFICIAL FUNCTIONS

Floodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to the area around, and including, the City of Assaria. Floodplains that are relatively undisturbed provide a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems.

DRAINAGE SYSTEM MAINTENANCE

As simple as it may sound, simply keeping smaller ditches and culverts free of debris can dramatically improve the run-off capacity of low-lying areas, as well as greatly reduce the occurrence 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 contact the City of Assaria at (785) 667-5595.

FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM

In the event of a flash flood due a large rain event, you may be the first to notice the oncoming situation and have only hours to execute your plan. Notify the City of Assaria Police/Fire Department. You will also see regular interruption on local radio and television stations advising you of the situation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you should require further or more detailed information regarding flood-related issues in City of Assaria, here are some additional sources:

FEMA.gov website or

City of Assaria (785) 667-5595

315 E. Main

Assaria Ks 67416-0267