Floodplain Resources

Floodplain Resources


There have been a number of memorable flood events within Wyandotte County. The 1951 flood was the result of a deluge of epic proportions. It had been wet all spring and early summer in Kansas, and the rivers were running full. A series of monster storms, beginning July 9th and ending July 13th, left more than a foot of rainfall over much of eastern Kansas. The great flood of 1993 constituted the most costly and devastating flood to ravage the United States in modern history. Levees were broken, farmland, town, and transportation routes were destroyed, thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes, and 47 people died as a direct result of the flood. June 2011 flood had two levee breaches and impending interstate closings.


Protect Your Property from Flooding


Floods are one of the most common hazards in the United States, however not all floods are alike. Some floods develop slowly, while others such a flash floods, can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of rain. Additionally, floods can be local, impacting a neighborhood or community, or very large, affecting entire river basins and multiple states. Floodplains are home to nearly 10 million households. In an average year, floods kill 150 people and cause over $3 billion in property damage. National average annual flood losses continue to increase. Below are resources to assist in flood protection.


Protecting your property from flooding can involve a variety of actions, from inspecting and maintaining the building to installing protective devices. Most of these actions, especially those that affect the structure of your building or their utility systems, should be carried out by qualified maintenance staff or professional contractors licensed to work in your state, county, or city. One example of flood protection is using flood-resistant construction materials.

Flood Insurance for your Property


Just an inch of water can cause costly damage to your property. Flash flooding usually causes more damage to a building's contents than damage to the building itself. You'll want to think about coverage for your personal property items as well as the structure of your building. Your personal belongings help make your house, apartment, condominium, mobile home, or co-op unit a home. You don't want to risk losing them in the event of a flood.


The City of Bonner Springs and the unincorporated area of Wyandotte County participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is a program administered by FEMA and provides discounted flood insurance to our community. It is sold by most insurance companies. Your local agent can help you get coverage. You should also review the limits and exclusions of the policy carefully with your agent.


For more information on NFIP, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Please note there is a waiting period before your flood insurance coverage becomes effective:

  • The standard waiting period for a Flood Insurance Policy to go into effect is 30 days from the application and premium payment date.
  • One exception to this rule occurs when Flood Insurance is required for a mortgage loan, in which case the effective date for Flood Insurance coverage is the loan closing date.*

What Do Floodplains Do for Us?

  • Naturally store and convey floodwaters.
  • Maintain water quality.
  • Recharge groundwater aquifers and naturally regulate flows into rivers and lakes.
  • Support large and diverse populations of plants and animals.
  • provide historical, scientific, recreational, and economic benefits to communities.

Drainage Information

The Public Works Department can assist with any drainage information or questions and concerns; (913) 667-3326.


Development/Construction Within a 100 year Floodplain or Floodway Requires Review and a Permit


Residential or commercial construction (new, addition, or fill) within a 100 year floodplain or floodway requires review and permits. Development is defined as: any man-made change to improved or unimproved real estate, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation or drilling operations or storage of equipment or materials located within the area of special flood hazard.


The following shall be required during the permit review and construction phases of the project:

  • Detailed plot plan/site plan designed by a Kansas licensed surveyor, architect, and/or engineer showing current and proposed site conditions, utility lines, utility easements, right-of way, grades and designated base flood elevation (2 foot intervals), finish floor elevation, FIRM map panel number and year, and any documentation of Federal Emergency Management Agency related documents required for the review of the project (supporting documents such as a Letter of Map Change (LOMC).

During construction a certificate of elevation shall be provided at the rough-in phase. No rough-in inspections will be allowed until the certificate of elevations is reviewed and approved by the Floodplain Administrator or his/her designate. If required, certification for flood proofing, wet flood proofing, and/or a no-rise certificate may be required.


At the time of a temporary (TCO) or final certificate of occupancy (CO) a final certificate of elevation shall be submitted for review and shall be approved by the Floodplain Administrator or his/her designate before a TCO or CO can be issued.

  • Any supportive documents for the project such as a LOMC shall be provided for review.


FEMA Publications


Below is a list of FEMA publications that are available with the Planning Department office at City Hall. Additional publications are available on FEMA's website.

MAP INFORMATION SERVICE


FEMA Map Service offers the most recent FIRM maps. The map associated with a property may be found using the Map Search feature. If you need assistance with this tool, please contact the MSC Customer Service Department at (877) 336-2627. If you need to access community wide maps, use the latest available flood maps search method in the Product Catalog.


Certificate of elevations and Letter of Map Amendments are retained with our office and are available by request. Hard copies of the current FIRM maps are available by appointment at (913) 667-1708 and can be ordered through FEMA Map Service:

  • Order Online
    To order online use this website. For assistance, select the help button above or call the MSC at: (877) 336-2627.
  • Order By Phone
    To order by phone, call the Map Service Center toll-free Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) at: (877) 336-2627.


Resources:

www.FEMA.gov


FEMA definitions


FEMA Online Map Service Center


Ready. Prepare. Plan. Stay Informed. – www.ready.gov


www.floodsmart.gov


Kansas Department of Agriculture, Department of Water Resources


National Flood Insurance Program

 

Wyandotte County Emergency Management Resources:

FEMA Publications and Resources:

Floodplain Forms

Real Time River Gage Data is available online for the Kansas River at 23rd Street in KCK and Kansas River at De Soto. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) website provides additional real time gauge data and watches, warnings, or advisories for Wyandotte County. River gauges for the metro area are available at USGS Water Watch.


Flood Categories (in feet)

  • Major Flood Stage: 55
  • Moderate Flood Stage: 54
  • Flood Stage: 33
  • Action Stage: 29

Example of River Gage Data with Flood Categories


Historical Crests at 23rd Street 

(1) 61.30 ft on 07/14/1951
(2) 54.80 ft on 07/28/1993
(3) 54.60 ft on 06/01/1903
(4) 47.20 ft on 06/01/1908
(5) 45.30 ft on 07/11/1993