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County drops out of National Flood Insurance Program  Share
The issue of whether to continue inclusion in the National Flood Insurance Program has now reached its conclusion. On Wednesday, Aug. 19, the Lawrence County Board's decision to rescind inclusion in the NFIP came as a result of months of controversy. During last week's meeting, local NFIP Administrator Chris Winkles presented his report on findings concerning the various aspects of involvement in the NFIP. His report was followed by Gene Hays' motion to rescind the resolution for inclusion in the NFIP. Pat Spidel seconded the motion which was approved with a 4-2 vote. Board members Kerry Emmons and Ryan Curtis opposed the action.''This has been a long ordeal. Thank you for staying the course,'' Board Chairman Charlie Gillespie said. Following the June 2008 flood, the Board had approved a resolution for inclusion in the NFIP during a special meeting in early October of 2008. The board then appointed local administrators, Norm Kocher and Julie Benson during the regularly scheduled October 15 meeting to educate the public, inspect properties and issue construction permits at a stipend of $583.34 each.. In May of 2009, the Board voted to release Kocher and Benson of their duties. Emmons made the motion to remove them from the position citing that they had ''alienated FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) personnel which puts Lawrence County at a disadvantage.'' While Winkles did not express his opinion of advantages and disadvantages, he reported the following:
- 35 NFIP insurance policies have been written in Lawrence County. -the total cost of insurance for those in the flood zone is $31,000, averaging out at about $890. While one policy topped out at $8,000, there are others that are $3-400. -35 percent of the county is in the flood zone. - insurance would still be attainable if the county was not in the NFIP. - based on statistics, odds are 26 percent that a home with a 30-year mortgage may experience flood damage within that time. There is a nine percent chance that a fire could damage a home. -140 new structures have been built in the flood plain since 1985. - if not in the NFIP, areas outside of the flood plain would not be eligible for federal grant assistance. They could, however, apply for low-interest loans in the event that repairs need to be made to property following a natural disaster. - if not in the NFIP, the flood plain areas of the county would be ineligible for grants or HUD loans for building housing developments. Educational grants and IDOT (Illinois Departmetn of Transportation) monies would not be effected. - unofficial map changes, expected to be complete within six month, will change the BFE (Basic Flood Elevation) of the Lawrence County flood plain by raising it two-feet. The study is being based on information provided through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources study along the Wabash River . - to remove a residence situated on a hill that is not normally subject to flooding, a certification of elevation is required at a cost of $150 - 600, along with a letter of amendment. ''This takes the residence out of the flood zone,'' Winkles said. - if in the NFIP, grants are available to help people bring structures into compliance with NFIP ordinances. - the county could be held liable for damages if getting out of the NFIP. In other business, the Board: - approved a bid of $7,420 for J.E. Shekyll to repair the furnace at the Lawrence County Courthouse. -appointed RogerMushrush to serve on the Eagle Branch Drainage District. - appointed Robert Johnson to the Big Slough Drainage District. Barbara E. Allender is editor of the Bridgeport Leader.
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