FEMA Notes Provision for Kansas Town

The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a provision in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations will allow residents of Chapman, Kan., to rebuild tornado-damaged homes with basements in floodplains.

Under the provision, tornado-damaged homes may be rebuilt with basements if those basements are floodproofed. National Flood Insurance Administrator David Maurstad said that the provision applies in Chapman's case.

NFIP regulations generally prohibit basements in newly constructed or reconstructed homes in floodplains. The provision allowing Chapman residents to rebuild basements applies to homes in high-risk flood zones, known as Special Flood Hazard Areas on flood insurance rate maps, where projected flood heights in a one-percent annual chance flood equal three feet or less and if the basement is floodproofed. FEMA concluded the basement exception provision does apply in Chapman after consultation with local, state and federal officials.

Both FEMA and the Kansas NFIP State Coordinator have personnel in Chapman this week to assist the community in the application process for a basement exception. FEMA will also be on hand to explain the regulatory requirements for allowing basements in flood hazard areas.