Flood Awareness and Protection
Every year, flooding causes hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and businesses around the country. Standard homeowner and commercial property insurance policies do not cover flood losses. So, to meet the need for this vital coverage, the
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) recognizes community efforts beyond minimum standards by reducing flood insurance premiums for the community’s property owners.
The City of Greenville’s CRS Rating of 7 provides property owners a 15% discount on flood insurance premiums. The following information is intended to inform you of flood hazards in the City of Greenville and to present ways your property can be protected against flood damage.
Flood Hazard Area
Greenville’s main tributary is the Reedy River, which converges with Richland Creek in the center of the city. Together, the two waterways encompass a total drainage area of approximately 352 square miles. Due to the continued increase in urban development along the Reedy River and its tributaries, risks have increased to life and property during recent floods.
The
City Floodplain Map index provides links to maps which show the 1-percent chance floodplains. These floodplains are the area where there is a 1-percent chance annually that a flood will equal or exceed this limit. This is typically referred to as the 100 year floodplain. For reference, if a structure is located in the 1-percent chance flood zone, over the life of a 30-year mortgage there is a 26% chance that the structure will be flooded at least once.
The 1-percent chance floodplain area is subject to dangerous flash flooding following heavy storms. Flash flooding can occur within minutes. Therefore, being prepared to evacuate the flood hazard area quickly is very important. Flood hazards include quickly rising and fast moving water, which is sometimes accompanied by logs.
Map Determination
The City’s Geographic Information System (GIS) has the following Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) information:
- The parcels located in an identified special flood hazard area.
- The community number, panel number and suffix.
- The date of the FIRM and the FIRM zone.
- The base flood elevation shown on the FIRM and the elevation datum used on the FIRM.
The City of Greenville Engineering Division also maintains information that can provide the Best Available Information about flood risk in addition to the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map information. If you have questions about your location in relation to the floodplain, you can
find your property on the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map or you can contact the City of Greenville Engineering Division at 864-467-4400 for assistance or to request a flood determination.
Flood Warning System
The National Weather Service has developed a flood warning system for areas in the Reedy River and Richland Creek Floodplains. A warning will be disseminated by radio stations including WFBC, WESC, WSSL, SWPA and others. The National Weather Service issues official weather bulletins to local and regional television stations including WYFF, SWPA, SHNS-FOX Carolina and SLOS.
The flood warning system along the Reedy River and Richland Creek is intended to provide up to a two hour advanced warning of a flood hazard. When an evacuation is ordered, local television and radio stations broadcast the order. A flash flood watch means flash flooding is possible within the watch area. A flash flood warning means flash flooding is imminent or has been reported in the warning area.
You can obtain additional information about evacuation, shelters and emergency procedures by calling 911, the Fire Department at 864-467-4445 or the Police Department at 864-467-5212.
Flood Safety
During a flood, gas, water and power lines can be ruptured. Before leaving your property, turn off electric circuits and shut off gas and water valves.
These simple steps can prevent additional losses due to fire, and the following actions can help to mitigate the flood hazard during heavy rainfall:
- Monitor the level of water in streams and stay tuned to the radio or television for possible flood waters or warnings.
- Evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the police or fire department.
- 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 walk in standing water, 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. Do not drive around road barriers; the road or bridge may be washed out. “DON’T DROWN … TURN AROUND.”
- 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 Duke Power at 1-800-769-3766.
- 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.
- Look out for animals, especially snakes. Small animals that have been flooded out their homes may seek shelter in your home. Use a pole or stick to poke and turn things over and scare away small animals.
- Keep children away from floodwaters, ditches, culverts and storm drains, and be especially cautious at night.
Flood Insurance
Your homeowner’s insurance policy will not cover losses due to flooding. The City of Greenville participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available to all city residents. If you don’t have flood insurance, talk to your insurance agent. This insurance is backed by the Federal government and is available to everyone, even for properties that have been flooded.
Don't wait for the next flood to buy insurance protection. There is a 30-day
waiting period before national Flood Insurance Program coverage takes effect.
Contact your insurance agent for mor e information on rates and coverage.
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Some people have purchased flood insurance because it was required by the bank when the received their mortgage or home improvement loan. Usually these standard flood insurance policies only cover the building’s structure and not the contents. During typical flood events in Greenville, there is usually more damage to the furniture and contents than there is to the structure.
As of June 2007, there were 106 flood insurance policies in the City of Greenville. If you are covered, double-check that the building coverage is adequate and make sure you have contents coverage. REMEMBER: Even if the last flood missed your property or you have done some flood proofing, the next flood could be worse. Flood insurance covers all surface floods.
For general program information or inquiries about the laws, regulation or administrative policies related to NFIP, visit
FEMA’s web site or call them at 800- 427-4661.
Property Protection
There are steps that can be taken to flood-proof structures. Some of these include:
- Elevate the structure so floodwaters do not reach any damageable portion of the structure.
- Construct barriers between the structure and floodwaters.
- Make structural walls and floors watertight so water does not enter (dry flood-proofing).
- Modify the structure and relocate the contents so there is little or no damage when floodwaters enter the building.
- Prevent sewer backups and basement flooding by installing a one-way check valve in the sewer line.
- Elevate electrical panel boxes, furnaces, air conditioning equipment, water heaters and laundry equipment.
There are also special flood-proofing techniques used in unusual flooding situations, including elevation on fill and elevation on reinforced mat slabs.
More information on Floodproofing.
Floodplain Development Regulations
The City of Greenville has adopted regulations and permit procedures to control development in or adjacent to the Special Flood Hazard Areas. The regulations require new buildings to be elevated a minimum of 2 feet above the base flood elevation and in some cases up to 4 feet above the base flood elevation. If additions, remodeling or repairs to an existing structure located in a special flood hazard area equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the structure, the structure must meet the same requirements as a new building.
Other additions, remodeling, repair, filling or excavating on the property require a permit which must be applied for at the City’s Building Permit Office prior to beginning any construction. For construction activities associated with structures in or adjacent to the floodplain, the City of Greenville Engineering Division requires an Elevation Certificate be completed and filed with the City upon the completion of construction. All Elevation Certificates filed with the City of Greenville are available to the public for review in determining flood risk.
If you know of construction, filling or excavation that is taking place without a City Permit, please report the activity to the Building Permit Office at 864-467-4550. If you know of any action that is affecting the City’s drainage systems and is being done without a permit, please contact the Public Works Department at 864-467-4335 or the Stormwater Management Division at 864-467-4400.
Natural and Beneficial Functions
Local and regional floodplains play a valuable role in providing natural and beneficial functions that benefit to both human and natural systems. These include aesthetic as well as active processes such as filtering nutrients. The Reedy River, Richland, Laurens, and Brushy Creeks floodplains are used as a means to filter municipal run-off. It is the riparian areas associated with these floodplains that act as a filter and assist in filtering storm and floodwaters so as to maintain bio-diversity and ecosystem sustainability. These floodplains also contain historic and archeological sites that provide opportunity for education and study. Floodplains include areas for waterfowl, fish, and other wildlife habitats in addition to feeding and breeding grounds. When flooding spreads out across the floodplain, its energy is dissipated, which results in lower flood flows downstream, reduced erosion of the streambank and channel, and deposition of sediments higher in the watershed. Poorly planned development in the floodplain can lead to streambank erosion, loss of valuable property, increased risk of flooding to downstream properties and degradation of water quality.
Maintenance of Drainage Systems
The City’s Public Works Department maintains a storm drainage system throughout the City. For the drainage system to operate efficiently, ditches, streams and channels must be kept clean. Debris, leaves, grass clippings, tires or furniture in ditches and streams obstruct the flow of water, cause flooding of streets and yards, and degrade water quality.
The City’s Stormwater Ordinance and State Regulations prohibits dumping of any material in a stream or channel and also makes it illegal to take any action which will impede the flow of water in natural streams and waterways. If you know of or are aware of illegal dumping or prohibited activities, please report the activity to Stormwater Management Division at 864-467-4400. Before making any changes to existing drainage of your property, please discuss your plans with a representative of the City’s Stormwater Management Division.