Floodplain Management and Flooding

Purpose

The Floodplain Management Unit oversees the administration of the State Floodplain Management Program by promoting and ensuring sound land use development in floodplain areas in order to promote the health and safety of the public, minimize loss of life, and reduce economic losses caused by flood damages. This unit also exists to oversee and administer the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the State of Minnesota.

Floodplain Management Information Sheets

Integrated Approach to Flood Management, 2010

Floodplains and Floodplain Management, 2006

Floodplain Management Information Sheet Series

1. Estimating the 100-year Flood Elevation on Lakes 2006
2. What are the floodway and flood fringe (in progress)
3. Residential uses and standards in a floodplain 2011
4. Basement and Lowest Floors for Homes in a Floodplain 2010
5. Residential accessory structures in the flood fringe (in progress)
6. Conditional uses in the floodplain (in progress)
7. Flood Risk (in progress)
8. Flood Insurance - Frequently Asked Questions 2010
9. Existing nonconformities - "Grandfathered structures" (to be added)
10. After a Flood - FAQs on Building Requirements 2012

Flood Insurance

• Flood Insurance Basics

FEMA Floodplain Maps

• FEMA Floodplain Maps - Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)
• FEMA Forms and Technical Bulletins
• Frequently Asked Questions About Floodplains and Floodplain Management

Floodplain Regulations and Administration

• History of Floodplain Management in Minnesota
• Variances in Shorelands, Floodplains & Other DNR-Protected Waterways
• Frequently Asked Questions About Floodplains and Floodplain Management
• Floodplain: Elevation Requirements
• Sample Floodplain Management Ordinances
• FEMA Forms and Technical Bulletins
• Floodplain Management Forms, Flow Charts, and Other Resources for Local Officials

Post-flood Information

• Post-Flood Information Packet for Communities
• Substantial Damage Determinations
• Flood Safety and Flood Cleanup

Other Links

• Flooding in Minnesota
• DNR Flood Damage Reduction Grant Program
• A Guide for Buying and Managing Shoreland: Floodplain Management
• Rivers and streams information
• Minnesota Association of Floodplain Managers (MnAFPM) Web site

Staff

• Ceil Strauss, State Floodplain Manager (State National Flood Insurance Program Coordinator), (651) 259-5713, ceil.strauss@state.mn.us
• Suzanne Jiwani, Floodplain Mapping Hydrologist, (651) 259-5681, suzanne.jiwani@state.mn.us
• Pat Lynch, Flood Damage Reduction Grant Coordinator, (651) 259-5691, pat.lynch@state.mn.us