Floodplain Management
The Borough of New Brighton has adopted and enacted a floodplain management ordinance consistent with the requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The intent of the Borough’s floodplain management regulations are to decrease the risk of future flood losses, reduce the costs and adverse consequences of flooding, reduce the demands and expectations for disaster assistance after floods, and preserve and restore the natural and beneficial values of floodplains.
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The United States Congress created the NFIP in 1968 to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. Since standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding, it's important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the United States. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners in communities that participate in the NFIP. Participating communities, such as New Brighton Borough, agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.
Congress mandated federally regulated or insured lenders to require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding or special flood hazard area. To determine is a property is in a special flood hazard area, view the Borough’s Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) or visit floodsmart.gov to better understand your flood risk.
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Homes and buildings in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance. These areas have a 1% or greater chance of flooding in any given year, which is equivalent to a 26% chance of flooding during a 30-year mortgage.
Homes and businesses located in moderate-to-low risk areas that have mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are typically not required to have flood insurance. However, flood insurance is highly recommended because anyone can be financially vulnerable to floods. People outside of high-risk areas file over 20% of NFIP claims and receive one-third of disaster assistance for flooding.
In additional to federally mandated insurance requirements, the Borough’s floodplain management ordinance also requires special flood resistant construction techniques and places added restrictions and limitations to any home or business located within a special flood hazard area.
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The floodplain management program is administered by the Building and Zoning Department. The Building and Zoning Department may be reached by calling (724) 847-5130 or by visiting the New Brighton Borough Municipal Building.