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May 3, 2000
Vol. 30, No. 128
For more information, contact Betty Collins, Sussex County Emergency
Preparedness, 302-855-7801, or Michael Powell, Department of Natural
Resources and Environmental Control, Division of Soil and Water Conservation,
302-739-4411
Public Meeting on Sussex Flood Mitigation Plan Set for May 10
A public meeting will be held Wednesday, May 10 at 7 p.m. to discuss
the recommendations in the proposed Sussex County Flood Mitigation Plan.
The meeting will be held at the Sussex County Council Chamber on the
Circle in Georgetown. Members of the public are encouraged to attend,
especially those with interests in property located in flood-prone areas
or who would be affected by potential regulatory changes.
The Flood Mitigation Plan includes the following sections:
- An overall assessment of the flood risk in various parts of Sussex
County, including the effects of past floods and studies which predict
future flood heights;
- An assessment of existing regulations (federal, state and local)
which are intended to minimize flood losses. Post-storm assessments
are used to evaluate the effectiveness of existing regulations;
- Goals for managing Sussex County's flood-prone areas and reducing
future flood damage. The plan lists the pursuit of structural flood
control such as beach nourishment, property protection, preserving
open spaces and providing public information as examples of broad
goals that should guide the types of projects which are implemented
in Sussex County;
- Recommended projects consistent with the county's goals and which
are likely to reduce future flood losses. Examples of recommended
projects are: elevation of flood-prone structures with assistance
from the National Flood Insurance Program, amendments to the Sussex
County Code aimed at making new construction more resistant to flood
damage, and educating property owners about construction practices
which lower the cost of flood insurance;
- "Repetitive loss" properties. Specific attention is
paid to these properties which have been repeatedly damaged by flooding
and stand to pay far more for flood insurance in the future under
a current proposal by the National Flood Insurance Program.
A brief presentation on sections 4 and 5 will begin promptly at 7
p.m. Projects in the Flood Mitigation Plan are not binding on the county;
however, they represent recommended actions that the county should take
to minimize the risk of future flood damage.
The Sussex County Emergency Operations Center is the lead organization
for the development of the Flood Mitigation Plan. Questions about the
plan should be directed to Betty Collins, 302-855-7801. Greenhorne and
O'Mara, a Greenbelt, Md. engineering firm, assisted the county in preparing
the plan and will be available to answer questions as will be representatives
from the Delaware Emergency Management Agency and the Department of
Natural Resources and Environmental Control.
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Document no. 40-01/00/05/02
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