Departments
|
Flood Plain InformationThe National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Your Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover FloodsThe NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available in participating communities for all buildings, whether they are in a floodplain or not. Jersey County along with the following municipalities participate in the NFIP:
Flood insurance covers direct loss caused by surface flooding which includes a river, stream, or lake overflowing its banks; and local drainage problems. Structural Coverage includes walls, floors, insulation, furnace and other items permanently attached to the structure Contents Coverage may be purchased separately provided the contents are in an insurable building. To report flood damage download the Flood Damage Form and submit by email to [email protected] or by mail to Jersey County Code Administrator, 200 N. Lafayette Suite 6, Jerseyville, IL 62052. Effects of Non Participation of NFIP Illinois Emergency Management Agency - Public Assistance Forms When Flood Insurance Is RequiredAny direct federal or federally insured loans, grants, or mortgages for the purchase, construction, repair or improvement of buildings located in a special flood hazard area (SFHA), also known as the 100-year floodplain, require the purchase of flood insurance. This applies for funding through:
If you are taking out a mortgage, refinancing a mortgage, or receiving a grant or loan for a building located in a special flood hazard area, the agency or lender is mandated by law to require you to purchase a flood insurance policy. The policy must include structural coverage equal to the amount of the loan/financial assistance or the maximum amount available ($250,000 for a single family home), whichever is less. This requirement does not apply to buildings that are not in the SFHA, even though a portion of the property may be flood prone. Buying Flood InsuranceInformation on purchasing flood insurance is available from your insurance agent or at the National Flood Insurance Program website: http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program. There is a 30-day waiting period from the time a policy is purchased until coverage begins, unless the insurance is required in connection with a loan or mortgage. Owners of property in unincorporated Jersey County are eligible for a 10%-25% flood insurance premium discount. Tell your agent that Jersey County has a Community Rating System (CRS) rating of 5! For more information call the Jersey County Code Administrator’s Office at 618-498-5571 ext. 146. Flood PropertyOwning and Using Property in a Floodplain Cottages that are leased on US Army Corps of Engineers ground must have an inspection by the Jersey County Floodplain Manager prior to selling the cottage or transferring a lease agreement. A Certificate of Compliance permit will be issued if the structure passes the inspection. A fee of $25.00 is due at the time of inspection. The Certificate of Occupancy is to be placed in a window facing the roadway and a copy will be sent to the US Army Corps of Engineers. Properties located in determined floodplain and in a flood zone, that do not have a base flood elevation determined are required to obtain a Floodplain Permit prior to any development and defined below.
Jersey County Substantial Damage Plan
Floodplain RegulationsIn order to make flood insurance and disaster assistance available to the citizens of unincorporated Jersey County, the county participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A very important part of this participation is the adoption and enforcement of a floodplain ordinance. The Jersey County Board adopted such an ordinance on June 10, 2003, which was most recently updated on June 28, 2008. The floodplain ordinance regulates development in the 100-year floodplain. The main purposes are:
State Law Regarding Illegal Dumping When A Permit Is RequiredA floodplain development permit is required for any development in a 100-year floodplain. Definition of Development
Development Does Not Include:
How To Apply For A PermitFloodplain development permit applications are available from the Jersey County Code Administrator’s Office. Applications must include:
All new buildings/additions or substantially improved buildings must be elevated to two feet above the base flood elevations and require an elevation certificate upon completion. Inspections of the project will be arranged. Floodplain Development Permit Application Commercial Floodplain Development Application Building ProtectionThere are some buildings that were constructed many years ago in Jersey County that are located in a floodplain. Some options for protecting these buildings follow. A floodplain development permit would be required prior to construction.
Several informative documents on building protection can be found at the FEMA Library http://www.fema.gov/resource-document-library For more information call the Jersey County Code Office at 618-498-5571 ext. 146 or email [email protected] Flooding in Jersey CountyThe Local Flood HazardJersey County is bordered on two sides by the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers as well as having several minor contributory creeks, the Macoupin Creek, Piasa Creek, and Otter Creek. While flooding from the Mississippi River and the Illinois River can USUALLY be forecast in advance, over bank flooding and flash flooding along the Macoupin, Piasa, and Otter Creeks can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. Jersey County can flood in any season, but floods are most common during the spring and summer months. The floods of 1972 and 1993 redefined the county’s high water flood mark. To find out if your home is in a flood zone, you may contact the Jersey County Code Administrator’s Office at 618-498-5571 ext. 146 with an address for homes and businesses. Elevation Certificates are also available. Water heights for the Mississippi River and the Illinois River can be monitored at the following websites: Flood SafetyHalf of all people who die in floods die from driving through flood waters. Swift moving water may wash out a section of a roadway completely, making an area that looks a few inches deep, several feet deep. A vehicle with a low stance becomes a leaky raft in just 1 foot of water. Vehicles with large tires have a large air capacity (which causes flotation and reduces the friction that holds the tire to the road) and a larger side surface area for moving waters to push against. This allows shallow, fast moving water to push YOUR vehicle into deep, fast moving WATERS! More good common sense tips:
Flood ProtectionIf your property is susceptible to flooding, there are some things you can do to reduce damages.
Benefits of a Natural FloodplainFloodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to Jersey County. Floodplains that are left undisturbed provide a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems. The benefits provide aesthetic pleasure as well as function to provide active processes such as filtering nutrients and farm chemicals in run-off so that these areas and other wildlife can maintain bio-diversity and ecosystem sustainability. Floodplains contain historic and archeological sites that provide opportunity for education and study, enhance waterfowl, fish and other wildlife habitats and help provide feeding/breeding grounds, and lastly, floodplains provide natural erosion control and open space to reduce future flooding. Floodplain DeterminationFlood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) provide information to determine if a property is in a 100-year floodplain for regulatory purposes. Updated maps were finalized by the Federal Emergency Management Agency on April 2, 2009. Flood information on the Mississippi River and Illinois River, along with the Macoupin, Piasa, and Otter Creeks are provided. Copies of the maps can be reviewed and assistance in interpreting them is available at the Jersey County Code Office (200 N. Lafayette). Participating communities also have copies. The boundaries of the 100-year floodplain are indicated on these maps by a gray area designated as zone A or, if a base flood elevation is available, as zone AE. White areas are not in a 100-year floodplain and are labeled zone X. A property can be generally located on the Flood Insurance Rate Map by creating a Firmette at the FEMA webpage https://msc.fema.gov/portal Flood AlertsUrban and small stream advisory or a flash flood watch: issued when heavy rains which could inundate streams or roadways are predicted. Flash floods can be very dangerous, occurring when water accumulates so rapidly that it cannot be absorbed by the ground or accommodated by storm sewers. Flood waters can move rapidly carrying away anything in its path and can create deep areas of standing water. During a flash flood watch residents should stay aware of the weather and take necessary precautions if conditions worsen. Flash flood warning: issued when a flash flood is occurring. In addition to the information provided during a flash flood watch, areas of greatest hazard are identified. During periods of a warning, areas subject to flooding should be evacuated and avoided. Flood warning: issued for the Mississippi River and Illinois River when heavy rains occurring in the Otter Creek, Macoupin, and Piasa Creeks will cause local flooding. Watches and Warnings are sent to radio and television stations by the National Weather Service located in Jersey County: Local Radio Stations WJBM 1480 AM KMOX 1120 AM NOAA Weather Radio – KX170 162.450 kHz
Local Television Stations KTVI Channel 2 KMOX Channel 4 KSDK Channel 5 KDNL Channel 30
Other helpful links: |
Code AdministratorJersey Codes and Ordinances
Building Division Building Permits Information Floodplain Management Division Floodplain InformationElevation Certificate InfoBuilding Code InfoBuilding Code Toolkit ICC Property Maintenance CodeEnvironmental Nuisance Schedule of FinesEnvironmental Complaint Request FormSubdivision and Land Use 2020 End of Year Permit Report 2019 End of Year Permit Report 2018 End of Year Permit Report |