October 18, 2024 |
Photo – FEMA flood plain map – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Rawlins city council reluctantly voted this week to approve a federally required flood damage prevention ordinance.
For the past eight years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has been updating flood plain maps across the country. The federal government is now demanding that municipalities formally adopt FEMA’s new maps. Properties once outside of the flood plain are now considered at risk of a 100-year flood. Homeowners in the flood zone with federally backed mortgages are legally required to purchase flood insurance.
FEMA’s new maps put more areas of Rawlins in the flood plain, specifically those on the south side of the city along Sugar Creek. Speaking at the October 1st special work session, City Manager Sarvey said he does not agree with the federal agency’s findings. However, Sarvey said failure to formally adopt the FEMA flood maps may exclude the city from federal funding opportunities.
During Tuesday’s Rawlins city council meeting, a new flood damage prevention ordinance was introduced. Adopting the ordinance is required to ensure the city remains compliant with FEMA’s regulations and the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968.
Before the vote, Councilwoman Jacquelin Wells voiced her opposition to the ordinance, saying that adding additional properties into the flood zone will hurt residents who are now forced to purchase flood insurance. However, Councilwoman Wells said she believes that the governing body had no choice but to approve the new rules from Washington, D.C.
Mayor Terry Weickum said he considered not adopting the ordinance. In the end, the mayor said the city must comply with FEMA to ensure continued access to federal funding.
Earlier this month, City Manager Sarvey said he doesn’t believe that FEMA considered a retaining wall at Hogback Reservoir when calculating the flood zone. The city has hired an engineer to investigate the wall and determine if it is sufficient to prevent flooding.
Councilwoman Tonya Lewman expressed hope that the independent engineer review will allow the city to remove some, if not all, of the newly added properties from the flood zone. Mayor Weickum encouraged the public to be patient while the city waits for the engineer’s report.
The Hogback Reservoir retaining wall is on private property. The city is attempting to obtain an easement from the landowners to allow the engineer to access the structure.
In the meantime, the city council will move forward with adopting FEMA’s flood plain maps and required ordinance amendments.
