Central Beaver Bayou Flood Study & Mapping Project Update

By Councilman Jason Ellis
    On September 25, 2012, the city council appropriated funds in an ordinance sponsored by Councilman Aaron Moak for the study of the Beaver Bayou watershed in Central to determine if FEMA floodplain map elevations were inaccurate after Central resident Kathi Cowen, a certified floodplain manager, questioned the elevations. G.E.C. (Gulf Engineers & Consultants) was selected to perform the study, which was completed in July 2013. Mortgage holders who own residences within the floodplain are required to have flood insurance on their properties, and a change in lowering floodplain elevations could mean a savings of millions of dollars to Central residents in flood insurance premiums.
    The results of the study are staggering. Over 1,000 homes could be affected. Many homes in areas currently within the Beaver Bayou floodplain could be taken out of the floodplain if FEMA approves the revised maps produced by G.E.C. engineer George Hudson. These areas and subdivisions include Pinewood Acres, parts of Sherrington Place, parts of Crystal Place, parts of Rambling Oaks, Jackson Place, Jackson Park, parts of Devall Rd, Amber Lakes, the eastern part of Bridlewood, Biltmore, Northwoods, Cedar Mill Run, and other areas along the portion of Beaver Bayou mainly north of Greenwell Springs Rd.
    The results of the study must be approved by FEMA in order for the new flood maps to become effective. The application and associated study materials were submitted to FEMA by the City of Central on January 3, 2014. Currently FEMA engineers and reviewers have asked for several revisions to the maps and study data over the past 10 months in order to complete their review and recommendation. The city's flood study consultant GEC is making timely responses to comments and requests from FEMA as they are received. An ordinance to amend the budget and fund $4,000 of additional surveying services to satisfy required FEMA comments for additional data will be heard by the Central City Council on Tuesday, October 14, 2014.
    According to FEMA’s website the map revision process once study data is considered complete can take as long as 18 months to become effective. You can find more information on the FEMA website concerning the map revision process at http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-0/flood-map-revision-processes