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Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance
The City of Paducah participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As required by the NFIP, Paducah Code of Ordinance Chapter 50 Section II regulates development within Special Flood Hazard Areas and enforces flood control to reduce flood damage within the community. The City’s participation in the NFIP is an important element in making flood insurance available to home owners, renters and business owners.
Along with the adoption of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance in November 2011, the revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and the revised Flood Insurance Study (FIS) were adopted.
Floodplain Administrator
The City Engineer has been appointed by the Paducah Board of Commissioners as the Floodplain Administrator to administer, implement, and enforce the provisions of the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.
Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA), Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS), and Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) are areas within the Paducah city limits which may be subject to periodic flooding that can adversely affect the public health, safety, and general welfare of citizens. The Flood Insurance Study (FIS), a report compiled by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), identifies the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the City of Paducah. Check the Map Index to determine which of the following maps shows the property location of interest in the City of Paducah. Only the 16 maps within the Paducah city limits are listed below. Note: These are large pdf files.
Special Flood Hazard Area Development Permit
A Special Flood Hazard Area Development Permit (SFHA) Application shall be completed and submitted to the Floodplain Administrator prior to the commencement of any development activity within all Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA). The application which is required through Paducah Code of Ordinances Chapter 50 Division V requires the submittal of proposed development plans and specifications prepared by a Kentucky Registered Professional Engineer or Architect along with a $100 application fee.
Elevation Certificate
The FEMA Elevation Certificate is to be submitted to the Floodplain Administrator to provide elevation certification necessary to ensure compliance with the City’s Special Flood Hazard Area Development Permit (SFHA Development Permit). The FEMA Elevation Certificate also is used by others to determine the proper insurance premium rates for property within the Flood Hazard Area and to support a request for a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) from FEMA.
FEMA Website and Resources
For more information regarding FEMA National Flood Insurance Program visit the FEMA website.