Question

What communities' floodplains are shown on a countywide FIRM?

Answer 1

A countywide Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) typically shows the floodplains of all the communities within that specific county. The communities included on a countywide FIRM can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the specific mapping efforts undertaken by the county.

Here are some examples of communities whose floodplains may be shown on a countywide FIRM:

1. Cities and Towns: The floodplains of incorporated cities and towns within the county are usually displayed on the countywide FIRM. This includes areas within the city limits that are subject to flooding.

2. Unincorporated Areas: The FIRM may also depict the floodplains of unincorporated areas within the county. These are typically areas outside of the boundaries of any specific city or town.

3. Villages and Municipalities: If there are any villages or municipalities within the county, their floodplains may also be shown on the countywide FIRM.

4. Census-Designated Places (CDPs): CDPs are areas that are recognized by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purposes but may not be incorporated as a city or town. The floodplains of CDPs within the county could be included on the FIRM.

It's important to note that the specific communities shown on a countywide FIRM can vary depending on the jurisdiction and the mapping efforts conducted. It's always advisable to consult the county's mapping or floodplain management agency to obtain the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the communities whose floodplains are depicted on the countywide FIRM.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) shows floodplains within a county's jurisdiction, indicating areas with varying levels of flood risk and are used for floodplain management and insurance purposes. They guide land use policies and are informed by historical and hydrological data such as flood frequency curves derived from stream gauges.

Step-by-step explanation:

What communities' floodplains are shown on a countywide FIRM? A Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) is a map created by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for floodplain management and insurance purposes. On a countywide FIRM, floodplains within the county's jurisdiction are depicted. These maps indicate areas subject to varying levels of flood risk, including Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) where the purchase of flood insurance is typically mandatory for homeowners with federally backed mortgages. FIRMs are essentially important for urban planning, development, and environmental protection, particularly in regions susceptible to flooding as evidenced by historical flood data.

It's important to understand that a '1 in 100 year flood' does not mean that such a flood will occur every hundred years, but instead refers to a 1% chance of such a flood occurring in any given year. Floodplains are shown in various levels of detail on a FIRM, with data sourced from multiple locations, including stream gauges that help in creating flood frequency curves—a critical tool for understanding flood risk and making flood control decisions.

Particularly, the communities that have a federal interest declared by NFIP, including those with properties insured under the program, will have their floodplains included on the FIRM. These maps guide policies related to land use, like preventing new development in high-risk flood areas or insisting upon adequate mitigation measures, such as elevating buildings above projected flood levels.