DIR Return Create A Forum - Home
---------------------------------------------------------
Erie Canal Neighbors Association
HTML https://ecna.createaforum.com
---------------------------------------------------------
*****************************************************
DIR Return to: Flood Insurance Conversations
*****************************************************
#Post#: 6--------------------------------------------------
Current Erie Canal FEMA Flood Rating
DIR By: Doug K
Date: June 16, 2018, 1:42 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
For those new to this topic, a big concern of folks living below
the waterline of the Barge Canal has been possibility of
mandatory Flood Insurance by FEMA as a result of this Vegetation
Management / Embankment Remediation Project. There are many
Flood Ratings ranging from a set of Zone A (highest) through
Zone D (lowest). If FEMA changes a rating to Zone A for an area,
people living in that area will need to purchase Flood Insurance
from the National Flood Insurance Program, NFIP for short.
Currently FEMA has placed a Zone A (High) Rating on the INSIDE
of the canal, with that zone extending around main culverts,
sluice ways & other flood control structures. As long as The
Erie Canal and all of its structures are maintained to FEMA
standards, the risk of Flood is considered under control and no
need to extend the Zone A rating. The Erie Canal Corporation has
made it clear many of the 122 miles of Earthen Embankments used
to contain the water in the canal have become unsafe over time,
the fundamental reason for their new endeavor to clean up
embankments. They are repairing those embankments with the
highest populations nearby as those have the worst safety
ratings from the recent Rizzo Engineering Inspection Report.
There are special Zone A ratings used when ANY dam is under
Remediation, Zone A99. This rating could be placed on ALL areas
around the Embankment WHILE the repairs are being made. Once
completed those areas normally return to their prior ratings.
Rating changes are made based on potential risk as well as how
that risk is managed. The NYCC has initiated this project in
part to insure they are correcting long standing issues but also
to prevent the need for FEMA involvement and changes to their
own Flood Zone Rating.
NYCC has a plan to bring the risk down greatly by bringing this
100 year old Embankment Dam up to today's FEMA standards without
a MAJOR rebuild of the waterway. Clearing large vegetation &
replacing with approved turf grass is the plan to restore the
safety of the Erie Canal. Fighting that repair plan will not
advance safety, in fact that threatens it further by delaying
much needed remediation. If progress on Remediation is not seen
as moving along at an acceptable pace or stopped due to "outside
influences", you can bet FEMA will take notice.
If you live below the Barge Canal, either directly adjacent to
the Embankment under repair or one of the thousands of home &
business owners living below these dams, you should be aware of
the consequences of opposing this safety project. Many who have
opposed the NYCC on this project do not live below the canal,
are not threatened by potential flooding & certainly will not
bear the cost of MANDATORY Flood Insurance should FEMA get
involved. Be sure you understand the WHOLE problem before you
chose which side you support.
The Erie Canal is 200 years old, the Barge Canal turned 100 this
year.. FEMA is barely 40. Most of the Erie Canal ratings are
"grandfathered" in most likely. Pease don't let those with NO
Risk decide what happens to those with ALL the risk of an unsafe
Dam in your communities.
Support the Erie Canal Remediation Project... Support a Safety
First, Safety Always plan.
I've included what a typical FEMA map includes, showing Zone
Ratings & Streets... the files are for Brockport East & West
sides
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
For more information on FEMA Flood Zones & Mapping use the links
below
Flood Map Portal -
HTML https://msc.fema.gov/portal
Flood Zones Defined -
HTML https://www.fema.gov/flood-zones
Flood Zone A -
HTML https://www.fema.gov/zone
This is the BEST site to check your own FEMA Flood Maps...this
link is set for Brockport Zip code. Copy, Paste & Change the
14420 to your own:
HTML https://msc.fema.gov/portal/search?AddressQuery=evergreen%20dr%2014420#searchresultsanchor
*****************************************************
Page 1 of 1