FLOOD HAZARD AREAS  The City of New Berlin has areas of floodplain mapped along the following creeks, rivers and tributaries:  Poplar Creek, Deer Creek, Root River, Calhoun Creek, Tess Corners Creek, Underwood Creek and Upper Kelly Lake Tributary.  We are at the headwaters of these watersheds therefore we do not experience the same flooding as, for example, the Fox River.  Flash-flooding is the general type of flooding associated with our waterways. In June 2008, storms caused flooding all over the region.  The city experienced temporary road closures on 124^th Street due to the Root River overtopping the road in several locations.  Poplar Creek caused flooding at Calhoun Rd and Victor Rd and the Kelly Lake Tributary backed up to Grange Ave and the subdivisions to the North.  In all, there were 80 road closures throughout the City.  The majority of flooding that occurred in the City during the June storms was associated with local drainage systems and the shear volume of water experienced over a short time span. Information on whether your property is located in the 100-year floodplain can be obtained by contacting Nicole Hewitt at 262-797-2445 or by visiting the Planning Office at City Hall.

FLOOD SAFETY  The following common sense guidelines can help protect you from the dangers of flooding:

• Do not drive through a flooded area.  More people drown in cars than anywhere else.  Do not drive around barriers!

• Do not walk through flowing water.  Currents can be deceptive.  Six inches of water can knock you off your feet.

• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.  If your house is about to be flooded, turn off the power at the service box.  Electrical current can travel through water.  Electrocution is the 2nd leading cause of death during floods.

• Be alert to gas leaks.  Turn off the gas to your house before it floods.  If you smell gas, report it to a City official or your gas company.  Do not use candles, lanterns or open flames if you smell gas or are unsure if your gas has been shut off.

• Keep children away from the flood waters, ditches, culverts and storm drains.  Flood waters can carry unimaginable items that have dislodged themselves.  Culverts may suck smaller people into them rendering them helpless.

• Clean everything that has been wet.  Flood water will be contaminated with sewage and other chemicals which pose severe health threats.

• Look out for animals, especially snakes.  Small animals that have been flooded out of their home may seek shelter in yours.

• Do not use gas engines, such as generators, or charcoal fires indoors during power outages.  Carbon monoxide exhaust can pose serious health hazards.

FLOOD INSURANCE  If you do not have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent.  Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover damage from floods.  However, because the City of New Berlin participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can purchase a separate flood insurance policy.  Additionally, because the City participates in FEMA’s CRS program, flood insurance premiums are discounted.  This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone. Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when they received a mortgage or home improvement loan.  Usually these policies just cover the building’s structure and not the contents.  During the kind of flooding that happens in New Berlin, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure.  Contents coverage can also be obtained by asking.  There is a 30-day waiting period before flood insurance coverage becomes effective.  Plan ahead; do not wait until a flood is predicted before purchasing flood insurance. At last count, there were 76 policies in New Berlin.  If you are covered, double-check that the building coverage is adequate and make sure you have contents coverage.  Flood insurance covers all surface floods.

FLOOD PROTECTION MEASURES  If your property is susceptible to flooding, there are many flood damage reduction measures you can employ. 

• Watertight seals can be applied to brick and block walls to protect against low-level flooding.

• Utilities such as heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and other major appliances can be elevated to higher floors in the structure or on raised platforms.

• Temporary measures such as moving furniture and other valuables to higher floors or sandbagging exterior openings will also help.

• Elevating or relocating the entire structure may also be a feasible option.

FLOODPLAIN PERMIT REQUIREMENTS  The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requires that if the cost of improvements to a building or the cost to repair damages (from any cause) to a building exceeds 50% of the market value of the building (excluding land value), the entire building must be brought up to current floodplain management standards.  Building improvement projects include exterior and interior remodeling, rehabilitation, additions and repair and reconstruction projects.   Additionally, the cost of currently planned improvements will be added to the cost of previously made improvements and compared to the existing market value to determine if the improvements exceed 50% of the structure’s value.  Please contact the City Building Inspector at 262-797-2445 for further information. All development within the 100-year floodplain (not just construction of buildings, but filling, excavation, fences, etc.) is required to obtain a Zoning Permit.  Please contact the City Planning Department, at 262-797-2445, for information regarding work in floodplains.  You may report any illegal development activities to the above number as well.

VALUE OF FLOODPLAINS  Not only are floodplains an indicator of flood risk, they play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions to the area.  Floodplains that are relatively undisturbed provide a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems.  These benefits provide aesthetic pleasure as well as function to provide active processes such as filtering nutrients.  Floodplains are used as a means to filter farm chemical run-off so that our waterways can maintain bio-diversity and ecosystem sustainability.  They enhance waterfowl, fish and other wildlife habitats and provide feeding/breeding grounds.  And lastly, they provide natural erosion control and open space so further flooding damage does not occur.

LETTER OF MAP CHANGE (LOMC)  LOMC is the process, through FEMA, by which the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) can be amended or revised.  Click here to view a list of the current effective LOMC's for the City of New Berlin.  If you have questions regarding this process contact Nicole Hewitt at 1-262-797-2445 or visit the following links for more information. 

LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION

FEMA http://www.fema.gov/business/nfip/fhamr.shtm

NFIP http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/faqs.jsp

WDNR http://dnr.wi.gov/org/water/wm/dsfm/flood/regulations.htm