Flood Information
Community Rating System
The National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:
1.Reduce Flood loses;
2.Facilitate accurate insurance rating; and
3.Promote the awareness of flood insurance.
For CRS participating communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted in increments of 5%; i.e., a Class 1 community would receive a 45% premium discount, while a Class 9 community would receive a 5% discount (a Class 10 is not participating in the CRS and receives no discount).
The City of Frederick has enrolled in the Community Rating System. A Community Assistance Visit (CAV) from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) was completed on December 7, 2010. During the CAV, MDE “determined the City has an effective floodplain management program, and is regulating development in the floodplain appropriately.” A letter of good standing from FEMA was received on June 3, 2011 for compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program requirements.
The City of Frederick was accepted in the Community Rating System (CRS) at a Class 7 level, October 1, 2012.
This classification rating provides a 15 percent discount on annual flood insurance premiums for properties located within Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) and a 5 percent discount in non-SFHAs.
FEMA Review
The CRS program credits floodplain management activities in four categories: public Information, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction and flood preparedness. Every year a community must reaffirm that it is continuing to perform the activities for which it is receiving CRS credit, through a process known as “CRS Recertification.”
Recertification is an annual activity where communities submit projects completed during the year, progress reports, and similar items that document the implementation of credited activities.
Also on a regular basis – every 5 years for communities in classifications 6-10, every 3 years for communities classified 5 or better – FEMA conducts an audit of communities’ CRS program records. The audit provides an opportunity for the community to verify the credited elements of the program, as well as present any new programs that it has implemented which are eligible for CRS credit.
Important Flood Information
The following flood hazard information is being made available to the residents of the City of Frederick because 11% of Frederick is located in or near a 100-year floodplain. It is hoped that everyone will become familiar with the possible hazards associated with these floodplain areas and use the suggested actions to protect yourself, your family, your property, and your investment.
Flood Hazard Areas
The largest flood that has occurred in the City of Frederick was caused by Tropical Storm Agnes on June 23, 1972, which reached an elevation of 35.90 feet at the river gauge on Monocacy Blvd. Bridge. The flood stage for the Monocacy River at that point is 15 feet at which water will leave the bank edge and backwater will flow to the Carroll Creek. Prior to the construction of the flood control project, the City of Frederick often experienced severe flooding due to Carroll Creek. The most severe flood (in terms of damage to the city) occurred on October 7, 1976 as isolated storms dumped 7.2 inches of rain on the city in less than 16 hours.
Flood Safety
Do not walk through flowing water.
Drowning is the number one cause of flood deaths, mostly during flash floods. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet. If you walk in standing water, use a pole or stick to ensure that the ground is still there.
Do not drive through a flooded area.
More people drown in their cars than anywhere else. Don’t drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out.
Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
The number two flood killer after drowning is electrocution. Electrical current can travel through water. Report downed power lines or emergency to Allegheny Power – Potomac Edison at 1-888-544-4877 or 1-888-LIGHTSS
Have your electricity turned off by the Power Company.
Some appliances, such as television sets, keep electrical charges even after they have been unplugged. Don’t use appliances or motors that have gotten wet unless they have been taken apart, cleaned, and dried.
Look out for animals, especially snakes.
Small animals that have been flooded out of their homes may seek shelter in yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.
Look before you step.
After a flood, the ground and floors are covered with debris including broken bottles and nails. Floors and stairs that have been covered with mud can be very slippery.
Be alert for gas leaks.
Use a flashlight to inspect for damage. Don’t smoke or use candles, lanterns, or open flames unless you know the gas has been turned off and the area has been ventilated.
Flood Warnings
City of Frederick Emergency Information Hotline – Phone # 301-600-1300
The City of Frederick uses the Alert Frederick County for community safety alerts. Visit
www.frederickcountymd.gov/alerts to sign-up for important neighborhood level public safety information, through the web, email and cell phone
Flood watch – flooding is possible.
Flash flood watch – flash flooding is possible.
Flood warning – flooding is occurring or will occur soon.
Flash flood – a flash flood is occurring.
TV
NBC WBAL, Baltimore (Comcast ch. 11)
NBC News Channel 4, Washington DC (Comcast ch. 4)
NBC25, Hagerstown (Comcast ch. 12)
FOX 5, Washington DC (Comcast ch. 5)
Newspaper
The Frederick News-Post, Frederick
The Gazette, Frederick
Frederick Magazine, Frederick
The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore
The Hagerstown Herald-Mail, Hagerstown
The Washington Post, Washington DC
Radio
WFMD, Frederick (930 AM, News Radio)
WTOP, Washington DC (103.5 FM, News Radio)
WWEG, Frederick (106.9 FM, The Eagle)
WAFY, Frederick (103.1 FM, Key103)
WCRH, Williamsport (90.5 FM, The Compass)
WAMU, Washington DC (88.5 FM, NPR)
WGMS, Hagerstown (89.1 FM, NPR)
WYPR / WYPF, Baltimore / Frederick (88.1 FM, NPR)
Flood Insurance
For many people, their home and its contents represent their greatest investment. Your homeowner's insurance policy will not cover losses due to flooding. The City of Frederick participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes flood insurance available for purchase to everyone. This is a government policy and the federal government writes the policy and sets the rates. At last count there were 106 flood related policies in the City of Frederick.
The City strongly urges you to buy flood insurance to protect yourself from devastating losses due to flooding. Flood insurance is available on buildings and personal property, and the contents of your home or business. The cost of the policy depends on your flood zone, elevation, and age of your home. Questions concerning flood zone locations should be directed to the Engineering Department at (301) 600-1498. A preferred risk policy is available to people in zone X, which is not in the flood zone. Renters living in a flood zone can also insure their possessions. More information about flood insurance can be obtained from your insurance agent. Just because your house has not flooded in the past does not mean that you are safe. In order to obtain financing to buy, build, or improve property located in identified flood hazard areas, flood insurance is required by law. This law applies to any mortgage, loan, grant, or other funding directly financed by a Federal Agency (VA, FHA, EPA, etc.). Lending institutions insured or regulated by a federal agency may make conventional loans at their own discretion in identified flood hazard areas.
Property Protection Measures
Retrofitting is an affordable way to protect your building from flood damage. This involves modifications to the building such as elevating it so that floodwaters do not enter or reach damageable portions, constructing barriers between the building and floodwaters, and wet and dry flood proofing. Relocate contents in the building so that when floodwaters enter the building, there is little or no damage from sewer backup or sump pump failure. Emergency measures include moving belongings upstairs and sandbagging. More information about floodproofing or retrofitting your home is available at the Frederick County C. Burr Artz Public Library or call the City of Frederick Engineering Department at (301) 600-1498.
Drainage System Maintenance
Do not dump anything into the City’s local waterways or drainage ditches. Doing so could cause unexpected flooding during normal thundershowers and is in violation of the City of Frederick Code Section 25-73. Debris in ditches and streams obstructs the flow of water which can cause overflow into roads and into yards. Partial or complete filling in these ditches can reduce the flood flow capacity, which will also result in overflow into roads or onto private property. If your property is near a waterway or drainage ditch, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The City of Frederick Public Works Department inspects culverts and stormwater facilities and cleans and maintains the system twice a year. If you see major blockage such as downed trees or debris, unapproved changes such as filling or rerouting, or violations to the ordinance, call the City of Frederick Public Works Department at (301) 600-1681.
Floodplain Development Permit Requirements
Always check with the City of Frederick Engineering Division before you build or alter your property in any way. All development in the floodplain, not just construction of buildings, requires a local permit. Illegal development can obstruct the floodplain and create an unsafe situation. For more information about these permits and to report illegal development, call the City of Frederick Engineering Department at (301) 600-1498.
Substantial Improvements
If your home or business is located in the floodplain, the National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of reconstruction due to damage, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements exceeds 50% of the building's market value, the building must meet the same requirements as a new building. The City of Frederick Building Department maintains improvement information for the life of the building; therefore, it is important to contact the permits coordinator at (301) 600-3829 before you make any alterations to your home or business.
Natural And Beneficial Functions
The City of Frederick is a beautiful place to live, and the small areas located within or near a floodplain are important assets. The undisturbed buffers and open parks provide a wide range of benefits to the human and natural systems. Water quality is improved through the undisturbed vegetations ability to filter nutrients and impurities from runoff and process organic wastes. These areas provide breeding and feeding grounds for fish and wildlife, create and enhance waterfowl habitat, support a high rate of plant growth and maintain biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem. Floodplains provide green space for protection of streams from development and the forces of erosion.
Floodplain Determinations: The City of Frederick participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has an archive of elevation certificates for recent buildings with in the floodplain. The Engineering Department makes floodplain determinations based on NFIP and other floodplain information before issuing permits. The Federal Emergency Management Agency granted a Letter of Map Revision for the Carroll Creek Flood Control Project (Case Number 02-03-117P) which removed many properties from the regulatory floodplain.
If you would like to make an inquiry, please contact us with the street address and, if available, the subdivision, lot and block number. We are open 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday. Contact (301) 600-1498 or you may visit
Spires GIS and then click “Floodplain” under “Available Layers” on the “Home” Tab and type in the address of the property in question under the “Tools” tab.
Map Information Services Provided:
- To determine whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) of the City.
- Additional flood insurance data for a site, such as the FIRM zone and the base flood elevation or depth, if shown on the FIRM.
- Information on the flood insurance purchase requirement that can help people who need a mortgage or loan for a property in the SFHA.
- Copies of completed FEMA Elevation Certificates for recent construction of buildings built in the floodplain.
Important Links
