Floodplain Information

Floodplain Management

Is Your Property Located in a Floodway, Floodplain, or Other Special Flood Hazard Area?

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, has updated its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).  The new FIRMs are effective as of September 7, 2023.  The purpose of the updates was to reflect new Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and floodplain boundaries for Cumberland County communities.  Preliminary FIRM panels and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are available for review on FEMA’s Map Service Center website.

As a result of the updates, some floodplain boundary areas have changed throughout the Township.  What this means for residents is that some properties currently identified in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) will be removed, while other properties currently in a lower risk zone such as “X” will now be in a SFHA.  If you would like to learn more about FEMA, floodplain management, and if your property is within a designated floodplain area, click here to be redirected to FEMA’s website.  To view a paper copy of the FIRM maps, stop by the Township Office.

Do I need a permit?

• For all interior and exterior improvements to a home, business, or any other structure that is in the floodplain or other SFHA, a Zoning Permit is required prior to the start of any improvement. Additional permits may also be required, depending on the type of improvement.

NEW FEDERAL FLOOD RISK MANAGEMENT STANDARD

On July 11, 2024, FEMA published a Final Rule to policies that implement new Federal Flood risk Management Standards (FFRMS), governing development and improvements to structures within floodplain and wetland areas. The new policy took effect September 9, 2024, and applies to federally funded and insured projects.

Furthermore, US. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has adopted new minimum property standards for all new construction and substantially improved structures in any SFHA, effective January 1, 2025. New FFRMS floodplain standards will apply to both the 100-year and 5–year floodplain areas and any wetland areas, which include both horizontal and vertical expanded areas based on future flood risks. The new standards will apply to all CDBG programs, FHA mortgages, and all other HUD-related mortgage and insurance programs.

For more information, contact your mortgage company or visit FEMA’s website here or visit HUD’s website here.

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Penn Township is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As such, the Township agrees to abide by federal rules and regulations designed to protect the community from some effects of flooding.

Several areas within the Township are located within federally recognized floodplains and are subject to restrictions on development and use. In return for our participation in this program, property owners are eligible to obtain flood insurance from the federal government (typically issued through an independent insurance broker).

Since the Township participates in the NFIP, we are required to govern regulations regarding development in floodplain areas. Please check with the Township Zoning Officer before beginning any work.  For work to existing structures – whether internally or externally, a permit may be required (or written acknowledgement of the work along with the proposed cost of improvements) to make a substantial improvement or substantial damage determination.   If your project does involve development in the floodplain, a Floodplain Supplement to Building & Zoning Permit Application must be submitted with your building and/or zoning permit application.

2019-2023 Map Updates

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, has updated its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).  The new FIRMs are effective as of September 7, 2023.  The purpose of the updates was to reflect new Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and floodplain boundaries for Cumberland County communities.  Preliminary FIRM panels and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are available for review on FEMA’s Map Service Center website.

As a result of the updates, some floodplain boundary areas have changed throughout the Township.  What this means for residents is that some properties currently identified in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) will be removed, while other properties currently in a lower risk zone such as “X” will now be in a SFHA.  If you would like to learn more about FEMA, floodplain management, and if your property is within a designated floodplain area, click here to be redirected to FEMA’s website.  To view a paper copy of the FIRM maps, stop by the Community Development Department.

Other Floodplain Management and Map Resources:

• FEMA Official Flood Hazard Map. – In the upper right search box, type in Cumberland County, PA.  The map shows Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels, flood zones, base flood elevations, and Letters of Map Amendments (LOMA).
• Process to Revise a FEMA Floodplain Map – With over 20,000 communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), it is a challenge to keep flood hazard maps up to date. There are three primary methods by which a community’s flood hazard maps are updated.
• PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) helps communities and individuals mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. This includes natural disasters, acts of terrorism, and other human-made disasters.
• PA Flood Risk Tool is designed to provide floodplain managers, insurance agents, developers, real estate agents, local planners and citizens with an effective means by which to make informed decisions about the degree of flood risk for a specific area or property. While the PA Flood Risk Tool uses data from sources such as FEMA, it is NOT the authoritative source for a final hazard determination.