Rod C. Streeter, Building Commissioner
John H. Doss, Montgomery County Storm Water Coordinator
350 Pageant Lane, Suite 309
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone (931) 648-5718
Fax (931) 553-5121
Office Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Montgomery County Flood Information
You must contact the Montgomery County Building and Codes
Department (931-648-5718) to obtain permits before placing
fill, grading or building in a floodplain.
General Flood Information
The May
2010 flood resulted in over $36 million dollars in damages in Montgomery
County. This estimate does not
include damages to infrastructure like roads, government facilities and
parks. It is important for
Montgomery County citizens to understand the effects flooding may have on
their lives and property, what can be done to reduce flood damage and how
they can prepare for flood events.
Areas
within the Cumberland River floodplain and in low lying areas adjacent to
streams and drainages are most vulnerable to flooding. Flooding can also occur in areas away from waterways during extreme
weather events. Sinkholes and other
geologic features that are commonly used for stormwater runoff storage and
disposal may flood when significant rain events overwhelm the handling
capacity of these features.
While
late winter and spring are the most vulnerable times for flooding,
experience shows that flooding can occur any time of the year.
Montgomery County Government is involved in an ongoing collaborative effort
with Federal and State agencies to do everything possible to lessen the
adverse impacts of flooding. This includes:
- The
adoption of FEMA Floodplain Management regulations by the Montgomery
County, TN. Commission as part of The Clarksville-Montgomery County
Subdivision Regulations
- The
County's qualification for the Federal Emergency Management Agency's
Community Rating System (CRS) which will result in a substantial
reduction in flood insurance Premiums.
- The
adoption of standards for natural floodplain hydrologic component
management and protection
- The
development of policies and procedures that regulate stormwater drainage
faculties to efficiently control stormwater runoff.
- The
development of a Disaster Response Plan by the Montgomery County
Emergency Management Agency, which is designed to protect the lives of
County citizens from the effects of natural disasters.
- The
distribution of public information on flood protection, which includes
the information on this web page.
Flood Information Available in Montgomery County
You
should check the flood hazard on property that you own or may purchase.
Flood maps and flood protection information are available at the Montgomery
County Building and Codes Department offices, and may be viewed by
appointment. You may also obtain flood and flood zone information by
visiting the US Government's FloodSmart website: (http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/)
FEMA Flood Zone Designations and Descriptions
|
Zone
|
Description
|
Insurance
|
|
A
|
- Base Flood Elevation has not determined
|
Required
|
|
AE
|
-
100 year flood area where the Base Flood Elevation has been
determined
|
Required
|
|
X (Shaded)
|
-
Areas of 0.2-percent-annual-chance (500 year flood) floodplain
-
Areas of 1-percent-annual-chance (100 year flood) sheet flow
flooding with average depths of less than 1 foot
-
Base flood stream flooding with a contributing drainage area of
less than 1 square mile
-
No base flood elevations or depths are shown in this zone.
|
Available
|
|
X (Unshaded)
|
-
Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as above
the 500-year flood level.
-
Areas determined to be outside the 500-year flood level
|
Available
|
Flood Zone Designation Notes:
Flood zone designations and descriptions that are not found on the
Montgomery County, TN. FEMA FIRM Panels or within the FEMA DFIRM data are
not shown in this table.
The listed flood zone designations and description information were
downloaded from the FEMA Map Service Center (WWW.MSC.FEMA.gov)
on 7/2/2010.
Montgomery County Floodplain Building Permit Policy
Building permits issued for areas prone to flooding are required to meet
specific standards set by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These standards are intended to reduce the amount of damages
sustained due to flooding.
Building permits issued for properties in or adjacent to areas that are
subject to flooding, or near streams subject to flash flooding will be
issued subject to the following requirements:
- If a property is in or adjacent to a designated floodplain or are
adjacent to a stream, building permits cannot be issued until a review is
conducted to determine the FEMA/County construction requirements for that
structure.
- The crawlspace or
basement floor elevation of
occupied structures within a floodplain must be 1 foot above the 100 year
flood elevation. This includes
all mechanical, electrical, etc. equipment.
- All flood elevation certificate elevations are subject to verification
using GPS on a random basis.
Note: These policies are in addition to the requirements listed in the
Zoning Resolution of Montgomery County Tennessee, Article IV, Section 17.
Montgomery County Zoning Resolution Flood Zone Structure Requirements
A copy
of the Zoning Resolution of Montgomery County can be found online at the
Clarksville Montgomery County Regional Planning Commission website:
http://www.cmcrpc.com/.
Being Prepared for a Flood
The best
preparation for any emergency is to plan ahead and make sure you are ready.
Listed below are a few suggestions to help you get started preparing for a
flood emergency.
If safe
to do so, turn off the electricity, gas and water services before leaving
your home or place of business prior to evacuation.
If you
are a newcomer to the area, find out if you live or work in a flood-prone
area. Talk with your neighbors, especially those living in Montgomery County
during the 1975 and 2010 floods. Always remember that the next flood could be larger than previous
floods.
Buy
Flood Insurance. Flood damage is not normally covered under a homeowner's
policy. Contact an insurance agent about your eligibility for flood
insurance offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Don't
wait until the last minute -- there is usually a 30-day waiting period
before the policy is effective.
Develop
an evacuation plan. Learn the safest route from your home, farm or business
to high, secure ground. Remember, low lying bridges or roads can be swept
away or covered by floodwaters. Establish a safe meeting place on high
ground for all family members in case you are separated.
Never attempt to drive through
standing water.
Stock up
on non-perishable food and store drinking water in containers. Keep a
flashlight, battery-operated radio, and plenty of extra batteries on hand.
Make sure you have easy access to warm clothing, rain gear and any medicine
you may need. Remember, electric power will probably be out during a flood.
Be sure
you have a first aid kit and know how to use it. Heart attacks and injuries
are more likely during a flood. Get CPR and First Aid training if you can.
Make an
itemized list of personal property, including valuables, furnishings and
clothing. Photograph your home inside and out. Keep your list, photos and
any insurance policies in a secure place, such as a safe deposit box,
outside the floodplain.
Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is available even if your property is not in a designated
flood area. People are sometimes told that flood
insurance is not available for their property, leaving them financially
vulnerable when a flood occurs.
If your property has been flooded in the past, or if you believe that flood
insurance is appropriate for your specific situation, contact a flood
insurance specialist, or go to the FEMA FloodSmart Insurance Program
website:
http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/choose_your_policy/cyp_overview.jsp
More flood related information can
be obtained at these websites: