Flood Protection

Flood Information

Are you trying to determine if your property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA)? Contact the City of Powder Springs Community Development Department at 770-943-1666 with your property address and we will provide information from the FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. Flood Insurance is mandatory if the structure is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. Even if it is not, the property may still be subject to flooding, and your lender may require a flood insurance policy; these policies may be available at non-floodplain rates.

Flood Information Brochure (PDF) 
Flood Map - Ward 1
Flood Map - Ward 2
Flood Map - Ward 3
  

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and FEMA

For information about the National Flood Insurance Program, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Risk MAP, grants and hazard mitigation, and community rating system visit:

General Information:  http://www.fema.gov
Information on Insurance:  https://www.floodsmart.gov/
More information about NFIP: 

Risk MAP:  https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/tools-resources/risk-map
Grant Information:  http://www.fema.gov/grants
Hazard mitigation: https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/risk-management/hazard-mitigation-planning
Community Rating System (the City's rating is 6): http://www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-community-rating-system

Permitting

Permits are required to perform any flood damage repair work on your home. Stop by or call the Community Development Department to discuss permitting.

    Community Development Department
    4488 Pineview Drive
    Powder Springs, GA 30127
    770-943-8001 ext. 307
  

Don’t be a Victim of Unlicensed Contractors

Anyone hired to perform construction repair work must be licensed by the State of Georgia. To verify that an individual is licensed visit the State of Georgia, Secretary of State website or call the City of Powder Springs Permits Division at 770-943-8001 ext. 307.

Public Health

Environmental Protection Agency

To help prevent mold remove all wet carpet and carpet padding as soon as possible, open windows to circulate air or use a dehumidifier. For information relating to mold visit the Environmental Protection Agency website.

Centers for Disease Control

The Centers for Disease Control website has very useful information about reentering a flooded home.

Flood Hazard Areas
The 100-year floodplain is the area that has a 1 in 100-chance to flood in any year. Small floods have a greater chance of occurring in any year and can create a significant flood hazard to people and property close to waterways. Flash floods can occur in the spring, summer and fall. Flood waters could rise very fast. The flood hazard includes fast moving water, sometimes accompanied by logs and debris. Citizens should be aware that localized flooding may occur where storm drains or channels become temporarily blocked. For that reason, citizens should be prepared to evacuate flood hazard areas. In 2009, the City of Powder Springs experienced a historic flood event. Flood magnitudes in Cobb County on Sweetwater, Butler, and Powder Springs Creeks greatly exceeded the estimated 0.2-percent (500-year) floods for these streams. Images from this event can be found here. For more information about the local flood threat, call the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 770-222-5200.

Flood Warnings

Warnings will be disseminated through local radio and television stations. FLOOD WATCH means flash flooding is possible within the watch area. FLASH FLOOD WARNING means that flash flooding is imminent or has been reported in the warning area and evacuation is advisable.


Flood Safety

To lessen the flood hazard: 1) know the flood warning procedure; 2) plan escape routes to high-ground; 3) turn off the gas and electricity; 4) during time of heavy rainfall, monitor the level of water in the waterway (if possible). Stay turned to radio or TV for possible flood warnings; 5) evacuate the flood hazard area in times of impending flood or when advised to do so by the police or fire department; 6) do not attempt to cross a flooded stream on foot or by car; 7) if your car stalls in high water abandon it immediately and seek higher ground; 8) keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains; 9) be especially cautious at night.

Flood Insurance

For many people, their home and its contents represent their greatest investment. Your homeowner's insurance policy will not cover losses due to flooding. The City of Powder Springs participates in the National Flood Insurance Program which makes flood insurance available for purchase to everyone. This is a government policy and the federal government writes the policy and sets the rates.

The City strongly urges you to buy flood insurance to protect yourself from devastating looses due to flooding. Flood insurance is available on buildings and personal property, and the contents of your home or business. The cost of the policy depends on your flood zone, elevation, and age of your home. Questions concerning flood zone locations should be directed to the community Development Department at 770-943-1666. A preferred risk policy is available to people in Zone X, which is not in the flood zone. Renters living in a flood zone can also insure their possessions. More information about flood insurance can be obtained from your insurance agent. Just because your house has not flooded in the past does not mean that you area safe. In order to obtain financing to buy, build, or improve property located in identified flood hazard areas, flood insurance is required, by law.  This law applies to any mortgage, loan, grant, or other funding directly financed by a Federal Agency (VA, FHA, EPA, etc.). Lending institutions insured or regulated by a federal agency may make conventional loans at their own discretion in identified flood hazard areas.

Property Protection Measures

Retrofitting is an affordable way to protect your building from flood damage. This involves modifications to the building such as elevating it so that floodwaters enter the building, there is little or no damage from sewer backup or sump plump failure. Emergency measures include moving belongings upstairs and sandbagging.

Drainage System Maintenance

Do not dump anything into the City's local waterways or drainage ditches. Doing so could cause unexpected flooding during normal thunderstorms and is in violation of the City of Powder Springs Code Section. Debris in ditches and streams obstructs the flow of water which can cause overflow into yards. Partial or complete filling in these ditches can reduce the flood flow capacity, which will also result in overflow into roads or onto private property. If your property is near a waterway or drainage ditch, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. If you see major blockage such as downed trees or debris, unapproved changes such as filling or rerouting, or violations to the ordinance, call the City of Powder Springs Code Enforcement at 770-943-1666.
 

Floodplain Development Permit Requirements

Always check with the City's Building Division in the Community Development Department before you build or alter your property in any way. All development in the floodplain, not just construction of buildings, requires a local permit. Illegal development can obstruct the floodplain and create an unsafe situation. For more information about these permits and to report illegal development, call Community Development at 770-943-1666.

Substantial Improvements

If you home or business is located in the flood plain, the National Flood Insurance Program requires that if the cost of reconstruction due to damage, rehabilitation, addition, or other improvements exceeds 50% of the building's market value, the building must meet the same requirements as a new building.

Natural And Beneficial Functions

The City of Powder Springs is a beautiful place to live, and the small areas located within or near a floodplain are important assets. The undisturbed wetlands provide a wide range of benefits to the human and natural systems. Water quality is improved through the wetlands ability to filter nutrients and impurities from runoff and process organic wastes. These areas provide breading and feeding grounds for fish and wildlife, create and enhance waterfowl habitat, support a high rate of plant growth and maintain biodiversity and the integrity of the ecosystem. Floodplains provide green space for protection of streams from development and the forces of erosion.

Flood Evacuation Procedure

Unusually heavy rains may cause "flash" floods. Small creeks, gullies, culverts, and low-lying ground flood quickly. In such situations, people are endangered without any warnings. Response actions involve the movement to higher ground BEFORE rising waters block evacuation routes.