Tipton appeals new flood maps [Kokomo Tribune, Ind.]

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April 13--TIPTON -- About 80 percent of the southern half of Tipton would be placed in floodplains as designated on new maps being considered by state and federal agencies.

The new Flood Insurance Rate Maps take in the area of IU Tipton Hospital, the Tipton schools, Miller's Merry Manor, the Tipton County 4-H Fairgrounds buildings and residential areas along Big Cicero Creek.

The city of Tipton has filed two appeals with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources at a cost of $10,000 each. Mayor Don Havens said one appeal covers the area north of the Norfolk & Southern railroad along Buck Creek and the other appeal is seeks changes near the railroad tracks along Buck and Big Cicero Creek.

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps are based on a 2006 Big Cicero Creek flood control study and show a significant increase in the number of properties that would be affected by a 100-year flood.

Havens said DNR wants to meet in Tipton with city and county officials, the engineering firms that filed the appeals and the Big Cicero Creek Drainage Board.

"The state indicated they saw some interesting facts in the appeals and want further discussions with the community," he said. "The Federal Emergency Management Agency supports the discussion. I'm interpreting it that DNR wants to take a proactive role in helping our community to find resolution to the flood zone and flooding issues."

Havens said he believes the maps being used to set flood insurance rates are in error. The maps set a base flood elevation, which is a measure of how high water is expected to rise in a flooding situation.

"The base flood elevations may have some faulty data," he said. "Higher elevations would change the maps."

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, base flood elevation and a structure's elevation determine flood insurance premiums. Havens said the higher insurance premiums become a hidden tax, one that never goes away.

"It will hinder development," he said. "Construction is not allowed in a floodplain, it will also reduce the probability of the redevelopment of existing properties."

Havens said increased flood insurance premiums will take money out of the local community and impact the quality of life.

"There is also the stigma that makes a project in a flood zone at a lesser level of desirability," he said.

Commissioner Joe VanBibber, who owns a rental property in the new flood zone, said the insurance costs would increase from less than $400 to a year to more than $1,000.

"If the maps stay, it would be a significant increase for a lot of property owners," he said.

VanBibber said for his rental property, he would either have to absorb the cost or pass it on to the renters. He said it would make the rental property less competitive in the Tipton housing market.

"The county should be involved in the discussions," he said of the proposed maps. "Anytime you're talking about drainage improvements, it is an opportunity you can't pass up."

VanBibber said it's a positive step for the state to become involved and have discussions with all of the stakeholders.

"Flooding in Tipton and the southern part of the county along Cicero Creek has been a problem since the county was founded," he said. "If the state sees the need they bring resources that are not available to the county."

The Big Cicero Creek Drainage Board in 2009 considered benching the existing creek bed to allow for more water to be stored and quickly released to Morse Reservoir at a cost of $2.7 million. That proposal didn't move forward.

Havens has proposed an overflow channel be constructed around the city of Tipton at an estimated cost of $10 million.

There are several options that can be considered in terms of flood mitigation, Havens said.

"Tipton views the Big Cicero Creek Drainage Board as a necessary party to the conversation," he said. "The state meeting is an indication of placing an emphasis on flood remediation."

Havens said the hope is all the parties will partner with the city of Tipton and the agricultural community affected by flood mitigation.

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