Floodplain Management
Floodplain map data also available via the Assessor’s GIS
To view the floodplain information find subject property
and then select quick map “Floodplain Mapping Effective 9-26-2008”
Floodplain Management Updates
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), has completed a Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that became effective on September 26, 2008. These new FIRMs replace FIRMS that were last revised in 1986.
A floodplain is the part of the land where water collects, pools, and flows during the course of natural events. Such areas are classified as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), and are located in a 100-year flood zone. The term “100-year flood” is defined as the flood that has a 1- percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year; it is not the flood that will occur once every 100 years. The likelihood of a flood occurring within a 100-year stretch of time is very, very high, but there’s no way to predict when the next flood will occur – or the one after that. The redrawn maps indicate the floodplain as a “high-risk” area, officially classified as Zones A, AE, A1-30, AH, and AO. Low- and moderate-risk areas are designated as X zones and shaded X zones on the new maps. If the new FIRM shows a structure is within the high-risk zone known as the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs), flood insurance is mandatory for structures with mortgages from a federally regulated lender and is strongly recommended for all structures.
Although FEMA reports that no significant changes have been made to the Town of Windsor Flood Zones, flood insurance may be a new requirement for certain property owners. Because of new digital technology, floodplain boundaries may have shifted. As an effect of this shift, some property owners who were not in the flood risk zone may now be located within a high risk zone. If these property owners have a mortgage, reverse mortgage, or home equity loan, the mortgage lender will be informed of the zone change and will require the owners to purchase flood insurance. The cost of insurance will vary depending on a variety of circumstances such as whether the house was built pre- or post-FIRM.
Additionally, prior to September 26, 2008, Windsor was required, as a condition of continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), to adopt or show evidence of adoption of floodplain management regulations that meet the standards of the NFIP regulations. The revised Floodplain Management Ordinance became effective on September 15, 2008.
The FEMA flood zone maps are available for review in the Engineering Department. You may also obtain floodplain information from FEMA’s website.
Please contact the Engineering Department at 860.285.1862 with any questions.
Floodplain Development Permits
There is no charge for submitting a Floodplain Development Permit.
Floodplain Development Permit Request:
Floodplain Development Permit Request Floodplain Development Permit Request