Flood safety in the City is set to receive a boost as updated stormwater development rules come into play starting July 15. The Stormwater Management Program is fortifying its defenses against harmful stormwater runoff, ultimately designed to more effectively protect residents and their properties. On June 11, the City Council made the decisive move to adopt enhancements to the Floodplain Ordinance, Stormwater Criteria Manual, and Grading Permit Ordinance, per the City of Fort Worth.
Starting next month, the City has chosen to diligently apply its stormwater development regulations to all permitted development activities that are less than one acre within City Flood Risk Areas (CFRAs). These areas previously were not under such stringent guidelines. Now, developers will be required to obtain an engineer’s certificate. This certificate must document that the elevation of habitable structures is at "least two feet above the 100-year flood elevation" and that the development "will not cause increased flood risk to neighboring properties", according to the City of Fort Worth.
The public, especially those residing and working in CFRAs, is expected to benefit from this modification. Enhanced stormwater development requirements are set to ensure better flood risk management. The City has unveiled an updated Flood Risk Viewer tool, allowing individuals to input their address to ascertain their flood risk – an initiative aimed at helping the community take proactive steps in safeguarding their homes and businesses. Detailed information about non-FEMA flood risk mapping can also be found on the City’s website, which is essential for informed decision-making concerning property enhancements or when evaluating flood insurance requirements.
City dwellers should take note that flooding can occur unexpectedly, and not just in regions immediately adjacent to creeks and rivers as per FEMA floodplains. By extending these measures, the City is showing its commitment to prevent future flood damages within its bounds. For developments of any size within FEMA floodplains, and large developments exceeding an acre outside these zones, the requirements for detailed review persevere. Capital project planning and maintenance by the City also now makes use of non-FEMA flood risk mapping as a key component, as additionally reported by the City of Fort Worth.
