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FLOOD MAP
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Updated 11/23/2005
As part of its
effort to save you money from flood damage and
reduce your flood insurance premiums, the
Borough of Northumberland is implementing a
variety of flood protection activities,
including periodic cleaning of the ditches and
channels, regulating new construction in the
floodplain, and preserving floodprone areas as
open space. But there are also some things that
you can do.
This file can be
obtained in
format
here.
The Flood Hazard
Properties in Northumberland’s floodplain are
subject to three flood problems: overbank
flooding, local drainage, and sewer backup. You
could be faced with one, two or all three of
these hazards.
Overbank Flooding: The major flood problem
facing Northumberland Borough is flooding of the
West Branch and the Susquehanna River. Since
1891, 56 floods have caused the Susquehanna
River to exceed its channel capacity and
inundate riverfront communities. Although some
of the most notable floods were the result of
tropical storms, the majority of flood events
are attributed to snowmelts; 20 of the 25
largest floods of record occurred between
January and April. Major flood events occurred
in 1936, 1972, 1975, and 1996.
Overbank flooding also occurs along smaller
tributaries that drain toward the Susquehanna
River and West Branch Susquehanna River: A flash
flood occurred on these smaller streams in
September 1999.
Overbank flooding affects properties in the
Borough along Penn Street, and the lower ends of
King and Queen Street and Orange Street. A total
of 60 buildings are subject to damage during the
100-year flood according to GIS and the Flood
Insurance Rate Map. Flooding also presents a
safety hazard. Velocities can be as high as 6 or
7 feet per second – so fast that the flood will
wash people off their feet in only ½ foot of
floodwaters.
Local Drainage: There are several areas of local
drainage problems where stormwater collects and
does not drain away. These include properties on
between 4th and 5th Street. Sometimes, flooding
is aggravated by debris that has been carelessly
thrown into the channel.
Sewer Backup: With no place to go, sewers back
up and flow into the lowest opening in the sewer
line. Sanitary sewers back up into basements and
storm sewers back up into streets.
Northumberland has had basement flooding caused
by sewer backups. The worst problems were when
the Susquehanna was also flooding and there was
nowhere for the stormwater to go.
Keep in Mind:
Find out if your property is in the
mapped floodplain and subject to overbank
flooding by calling the Borough Office at
570-473-3414.
Floodproofing
Floodproofing a house means altering it so
floodwaters will not cause damage. Different
floodproofing techniques are appropriate for
different types of buildings. Use the following
as a guideline:
If you have a basement, split level, or other
floor below ground level, there are lots of ways
to protect your basement or lower floor from
seepage and sewer backup (see illustration).
A Backup valve
is the one way to prevent sewer backup
If you have a
basement, split level, or other floor below
ground level, there are lots of ways to protect
your basement or lower floor from seepage and
sewer backup (see illustration).
If your house is on a slab foundation,
investigate a low floodwall, berm or “dry
floodproofing” (i.e., making the walls
watertight and closing all the openings when a
flood comes).
If your house is on a crawlspace, a low
floodwall, berm or “wet floodproofing” will
work. “Wet floodproofing” means moving all items
subject to damage out of harm’s way so water can
flow into the crawlspace and not cause any
problems. If floodwaters go over the first
floor, it is relatively easy to elevate the
building to get the first floor above the flood
level.
Emergency measures: No matter what kind of
building you have, some last minute emergency
measures can always help. For example, you could
move valuable items (photos, antiques, and other
“irreplaceables”) or items that are most damaged
by floodwaters (upholstered furniture, stuffed
toys, mattresses, foam rubber, etc.) up to a
higher level. You can place sandbags or plastic
sheeting in front of doorways and other low
entry points.
Whatever emergency protection measures you use,
it is always best to have a plan written in
advance to make sure you don’t forget anything
after you hear the flood warning.
Flood Insurance
Flood insurance is highly recommended because no
floodproofing measure is 100% foolproof. Most
homeowners insurance policies do not cover a
property for flood damage. The Borough of
Northumberland participates in the National
Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Local insurance
agents can sell an NFIP policy under rules and
rates set by the Federal government. Any agent
can sell a policy and all agents must charge the
same rates.
Any house in Northumberland can be covered by a
flood insurance policy. Detached garages and
accessory buildings are covered under the policy
for the lot’s main building. There are two types
of coverage which can be purchased separately:
Building coverage covers everything that stays
with a house when it is sold, including the
furnace, cabinets, built in appliances, and
wall-to-wall carpeting.
Contents coverage covers furniture and other
personal possessions except for money, valuable
papers, and the like. Renters can buy contents
coverage, even if the owner does not buy
building coverage.
There is no coverage for things outside the
house, like the driveway and landscaping. If you
have a policy, check it closely. Some people
have purchased flood insurance because it was
required by the bank when they got a mortgage or
home improvement loan. Usually these policies
just cover the building’s structure and not the
contents. You may only have building coverage.
If so, your furniture, carpeting, appliances,
and other contents are not covered.
An NFIP policy covers sewer
backup and basement seepage if there is a
general condition of flooding in the area. You
may do better by checking out sump pump failure
or sewer backup coverage that might be available
as an addition to your homeowner’s insurance
policy. Each company has different amounts of
coverage, exclusions, deductibles, and
arrangements. Most exclude damage from surface
flooding that would be covered by an NFIP
policy. The cost varies from nothing to up to
$100 more on your homeowner’s insurance premium.
Keep In Mind:
Don’t wait for the next flood to buy
insurance protection. There is a 30 day waiting
period before National Flood Insurance coverage
takes effect. Contact your insurance agent for
more information on rates and coverage.
Flood Protection
Regulations
Lots were originally designed so water would
flow away from the building and along property
lines to the street, storm sewer, or ditch.
Fences, railroad ties, landscaping and regrading
block this flow. So do construction projects in
the ditches or the floodplain.
ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE BOROUGH OFFICE BEFORE
YOU BUILD ON, FILL, ALTER, OR REGRADE YOUR
PROPERTY. A permit is needed to ensure that such
projects do not cause problems on other
properties.
Every piece of trash can contribute to
flooding. Even grass clippings and branches can
accumulate and plug channels. If your property
is next to a ditch or storage basin, please do
your part and keep the banks clear of brush and
debris
DO NOT DUMP OR THROW ANYTHING INTO THE DITCHES
OR BASINS. Dumping in our ditches and storage
basins is a violation of Borough Code.
You can do your part in helping the drainage
system work. Sweep or pick up your gutters to
prevent blockages in the storm sewers. Pick up
trash and fallen branches in the ditches.
New buildings in the floodplain must be
protected from flood damage. Our development
regulations require that new residential
buildings must be elevated 1½ feet above the
base flood level. These regulations are designed
to protect you and your neighbors. By getting
the proper permits before you build, we can
prevent flooding and other drainage problems.
The ordinance also requires that all substantial
improvements and substantial damage to a
building be treated as a new building. A project
is “substantial” when the value of an addition,
alteration, repair or reconstruction project
exceeds 50% of the value of the existing
building. In the case of an addition, only the
addition must be protected. In the case of an
improvement to the original building, the entire
building must be protected.
For example, if a house in the
floodplain is flooded, has a fire, is hit by a
tornado, or is otherwise damaged so that the
cost of repairs is more than 50% of the value of
the building before the damage, then the house
must be elevated above the base flood level.
Keep in mind:
If you see dumping or debris in the
ditches or basins, filling or construction near
property lot lines, or filling or construction
in the floodplain without a permit sign posted,
contact the Borough Office 570-473-3414 The
debris or project may cause flooding on your
property.
Safety Tips
Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning
is the number one cause of flood deaths.
Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving
water can knock you off your feet. If you go
through an area where the water is not flowing,
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 to the
Police Department by calling 911.
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.
Look out for animals that have been flooded out
of their homes and who may seek shelter in
yours. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn
things over and scare away small animals.
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.
Carbon monoxide exhaust kills. Use a generator
or other gasoline powered machine outdoors. The
same goes for camping stoves. Charcoal fumes are
especially deadly when cooking with charcoal
outdoors.
Clean everything that got wet.
Flood waters have picked up sewage and chemicals
from roads, farms, factories, and storage
buildings. Spoiled food, flooded cosmetics, and
medicine can be health hazards. When in doubt,
throw them out.
Take good care of yourself. Recovering from a
flood is a big job. It is tough on both the body
and the spirit and the effects a disaster has on
you and your family may last a long time. Keep
your eyes open for signs of anxiety, stress, and
fatigue in you and your family.
Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains
The natural and beneficial
functions of floodplain include the following:
·
storage of
floodwaters/flood flow attenuation
·
shallow
infiltration to absorb overland flood flow
·
groundwater
recharge
·
removal/filtering
of excess nutrients, pollutants, and sediments
from floodwaters
·
habitat for flora
and fauna
·
recreational and
aesthetic opportunities
Stream
corridors include the channel, floodway, and
adjacent riparian (or streamside) lands.
Development in and near waterways can result in
sediment loads to the stream. Modifications
made to streams to allow for development can be
detrimental to the natural physical features of
the stream, stable steambanks and channel
bottoms as well as natural meanders. Unstable
stream banks and channels are much more
vulnerable to flood damage as are any nearby
structures or development. Vegetated areas
along streams stabilize the streambank, filters,
pollutants, and provides habitat. Setbacks and
vegetated buffer areas can be used to protect
these natural streamside features from the
impacts of development.
Wetlands are
often found in floodplain areas. Wetland
habitats are typically home to a diverse and
unique number of species that rely on these
habitats for certain life requirements.
Wetlands play a valuable role in reducing flood
velocities and storing floodwaters, filtering
pollution and improving water quality, and
providing groundwater recharge areas.
The
Susquehanna River Greenway Partnership is the
latest chapter in the Susquehanna Story. The
Greenway will link natural, cultural, historic,
and recreational resources within a one-mile
wide corridor of the Susquehanna River Main Stem
and West Branch. It will establish a basin-wide
foundation for resource management and community
conservation-factors of lasting importance to
the economies and quality of life of river
communities. The Borough of Northumberland’s
continued participation insures that its
interests and wishes are incorporated in the
visioning, strategy preparation and project
development phases.
Elevation Certificates
New construction and substantial
improvements to buildings on the floodplain
requires a FEMA Elevation Certificate. A
registered surveyor prepares this certificate.
Information on the Certificate include ground
elevation and elevation of the first floor of
the structure. Elevation certificates are on
file at Borough Hall.
Real Time River Gage Data
Real time
steam information is available over the Internet
Susquehanna River.
Water levels
of the Susquehanna River can be obtained from
the Sunbury river gage at Shamokin Dam on this
website:
River Forecasts
River forecast statements and
river conditions can be obtained at the Middle
Atlantic River Forecast Center, at State
College, from this website:
http://www.erh.noaa.gov/er/marfc/
Newer
forecast presentations are being demonstrated on
the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
website at:
http://newweb.erh.noaa.gov/ahps2/index.php?wfo=ctp
Flood Control Reservoir Status
Information
on the flood control reservoirs in the
Susquehanna River Basin operated by the US Army
Corps of Engineers can be found at this site:
http://www.nab-wc.usace.army.mil/wc/summary.html
For More
Information
These useful
documents can be obtained over the Internet or
ordered from FEMA by calling 1-800/480-2520,
Guide
to Retrofitting: Six Ways to protect Your House
from Flooding
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/hazards/hurricanes/guide.pdf
Above
the Flood: Elevating Your Floodprone House
:
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/mit/bpat/fema347_doc.pdf
The Red
Cross book on recovering from a flood,
“Repairing Your Flooded Home,” is at
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/0,1082,0_570_,00.htm
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