F L O O D HAZARD PROFILE... 1 LOCATION... 1 EXTENT... 39 HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES... 42 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS... 42 PROBABILITY OF FUTURE EVENTS... 43 VULNERABILITY AND IMPACT... 43 NFIP PARTICIPATION... 45 NFIP COMPLIANCE AND MAINTENANCE... 45 KEY FLOOD MITIGATION ACTIVITIES... 46 CRITICAL FACILITIES... 46 TEMPORARY HOUSING... 47 REPETITIVE LOSS... 47 HAZARD PROFILE Floods generally result from excessive precipitation, and the severity of a flooding event is typically determined by a combination of several major factors, including: stream and river basin topography and physiography; precipitation and weather patterns; recent soil moisture conditions; and the degree of vegetative clearing and impervious surface. Generally, floods are long-term events that may last for several days. The primary types of general flooding are inland and coastal flooding; only inland flooding is profiled in this section. Inland or riverine flooding is a function of excessive precipitation levels and water runoff volumes within the watershed of a stream or river. It is natural and inevitable as it is the overbank flooding of rivers and streams, typically resulting from large-scale weather systems that generate prolonged rainfall over a wide geographic area. Some river floods occur seasonally when winter or spring rainfalls fill river basins with too much water, too quickly. Torrential rains from decaying hurricanes or tropical systems can also produce river flooding. LOCATION Locations of flood zones in Otsego County are illustrated in Figure 5-1. For mapping purposes, Digital Q3 Flood Data is also shown for Otsego County. The Digital Flood Insurance Rate Mate (DFIRM) data provided by FEMA for Otsego County shows the following flood hazard areas: S T R A T E G I E S T O M I T I G A T E T H E I M P A C T S O F N A T U R A L D I S A S T E R S O N H U M A N L I F E A N D P R O P E R T Y
Zone A: Areas subject to inundation by the 1-percent-annual-chance flood event generally determined using approximate methodologies. Because detailed hydraulic analyses have not been performed, no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) or flood depths are shown. Mandatory flood insurance requirements and floodplain management standards apply. Zone AE: Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding. It is the base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided. AE zones are now used on new format FIRMs instead of A1-30 zones. Zone AO: Areas subject to inundation by 1-percent-annual-chance shallow flooding (usually sheet flow on sloping terrain) where average depths are between one and three feet. Average flood depths derived from detailed hydraulic analyses are shown in this zone. Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements and floodplain management standards apply. 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Hazard: Area of minimal flood hazard, usually depicted on FIRMs as the 500-year flood level. Figure 5-2 is the key (or legend) to interpreting each participating jurisdiction s exposure map (Figures 5-3 through 5-36). The areas colored pink in Figure 5-1 are the vulnerable areas in which critical parcels are located that will convey the base flood or 1% annual chance flood (100 year flood on the legend). Maps were created using HAZUS-MR4. Page 2 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-1. Estimated Flood Zones in Otsego County Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 3
Figure 5-2. Legend for All Exposure Maps Page 4 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-3. Exposure to Floods Town of Burlington Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 5
Figure 5-4. Exposure to Floods Town of Butternuts Page 6 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-5. Exposure to Floods Town of Cherry Valley Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 7
Figure 5-6. Exposure to Floods Cherry Valley Page 8 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-7. Exposure to Floods Cooperstown Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 9
Figure 5-8. Exposure to Floods Town of Decatur Page 10 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-9. Exposure to Floods Town of Edmeston Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 11
Figure 5-10. Exposure to Floods Town of Exeter Page 12 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-11. Exposure to Floods Gilbertsville Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 13
Figure 5-12. Exposure to Floods Town of Hartwick Page 14 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-13. Exposure to Floods Town of Laurens Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 15
Figure 5-14. Exposure to Floods Laurens Page 16 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-15. Exposure to Floods Town of Maryland Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 17
Figure 5-16. Exposure to Floods Town of Middlefield Page 18 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-17. Exposure to Floods Town of Milford Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 19
Figure 5-18. Exposure to Floods Milford Page 20 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-19. Exposure to Floods Town of Morris Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 21
Figure 5-20. Exposure to Floods Morris Page 22 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-21. Exposure to Floods Town of New Lisbon Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 23
Figure 5-22. Exposure to Floods Town of Oneonta Page 24 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-23. Exposure to Floods City of Oneonta Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 25
Figure 5-24. Exposure to Floods Town of Otego Page 26 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-25. Exposure to Floods Otego Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 27
Figure 5-26. Exposure to Floods Town of Otsego Page 28 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-27. Exposure to Floods Town of Pittsfield Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 29
Figure 5-28. Exposure to Floods Town of Plainfield Page 30 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-29. Exposure to Floods Town of Richfield Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 31
Figure 5-30. Exposure to Floods Richfield Springs Page 32 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-31. Exposure to Floods Town of Roseboom Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 33
Figure 5-32. Exposure to Floods Town of Springfield Page 34 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-33. Exposure to Floods Town of Unadilla Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 35
Figure 5-34. Exposure to Floods Unadilla Page 36 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Figure 5-35. Exposure to Floods Town of Westford Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 37
Figure 5-36. Exposure to Floods Town of Worcester Page 38 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
EXTENT The severity of a flood event is typically determined by a combination of several factors including: stream and river basin topography and physiography; precipitation and weather patterns; recent soil moisture conditions; and degree of vegetative clearing and impervious surface. Generally floods are long-term events that may last for several days. Determining the intensity and magnitude of a flood event is dependent upon the flood zone and location of the flood hazard area in addition to depths of flood waters. Extent of flood damages can be expected to be more damaging in the areas that will convey a base flood. FEMA categorizes areas on the terrain according to how the area will convey flood water. Flood zones are the categories that are mapped on Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Table 5-1 provides a description of FEMA flood zones and the flood impact in terms of severity or potential harm, though Flood Zones A, AE, and AO are the only hazard areas mapped in the county. Figures 5-1 through 5-36 should be read in conjunction with the extent for flooding in Tables 5-1, 5-2 and 5-3 to determine the intensity of a potential flooding event. Table 5-1. Flood Zones INTENSITY ZONE DESCRIPTION HIGH ZONE A ZONE AE ZONE A1-30 ZONE AH ZONE AO ZONE AR Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding and a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Because detailed analyses are not performed for such areas, no depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones. The base floodplain where base flood elevations are provided. AE Zones are now used on the new format FIRMs instead of A1-A30 Zones. These are known as numbered A Zones (e.g., A7 or A14). This is the base floodplain where the FIRM shows a BFE (old format). Areas with a 1% annual chance of shallow flooding, usually in the form of a pond, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Base flood elevations derived from detailed analyses are shown at selected intervals within these zones. River or stream flood hazard areas and areas with a 1% or greater chance of shallow flooding each year, usually in the form of sheet flow, with an average depth ranging from 1 to 3 feet. These areas have a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Average flood depths derived from detailed analyses are shown within these zones. Areas with a temporarily increased flood risk due to the building or restoration of a flood control system (such as a levee or a dam). Mandatory flood insurance purchase requirements will apply, but rates will not exceed the rates for unnumbered A zones if the structure is built Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 39
INTENSITY ZONE DESCRIPTION or restored in compliance with Zone AR floodplain management regulations. ZONE A99 Areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding that will be protected by a federal flood control system where construction has reached specified legal requirements. No depths or base flood elevations are shown within these zones. MODERATE to LOW ZONE X 500 An area inundated by 500-year flooding; an area inundated by 100-year flooding with average depths of less than 1 foot or with drainage areas less than 1 square mile; or an area protected by levees from 100-year flooding. Zone A is interchangeably referred to as the 100-year flood, the one-percent-annual chance flood, or the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), or more commonly, the base flood. By any name, it is the area that will convey the base flood. This area constitutes a threat to the planning area. Structures built in the SFHA are subject to damage by rising waters and floating debris. Moving flood water exerts pressure on everything in its path and causes erosion of soil and solid objects. Utility systems, such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, fuel, electrical systems, sewage maintenance systems and water systems, if not elevated above base flood elevation, may also be damaged. In addition to the flood zones, extent is provided for the county and any participating jurisdiction with Peak MSL data available in terms of depth of flood waters. Table 5-2 below describes the category of risk and potential magnitude of an event while Table 5-3 provides extent by jurisdiction. The water depths depicted in Table 5-2 are an approximation based on elevation data (above sea level rather than above ground) and stream gauge data provided by the National Weather Service. This level of risk is determined by the levels of area streams and rivers. Table 5-2. Extent Scale Water Depth (Mean Sea Level, MSL) SEVERITY MSL (IN FEET) DESCRIPTION BELOW FLOOD STAGE 0 to 15 ACTION STAGE 16 to 23 FLOOD STAGE 24 to 28 Water begins to exceed low sections of banks and the lowest sections of the floodplain. Flow is well into the floodplain, minor lowland flooding reaches low areas of the floodplain. Livestock should be moved from low lying areas. Homes are threatened and properties downstream of river flows or in low lying areas begin to flood. Page 40 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
SEVERITY MSL (IN FEET) DESCRIPTION MODERATE FLOOD STAGE 29 to 32 MAJOR FLOOD STAGE 33 and above At this stage the lowest homes downstream flood. Roads and bridges in the floodplain flood severely and are dangerous to motorists. Major flooding approaches homes in the floodplain. Primary and secondary roads and bridges are severely flooded and very dangerous. Major flooding extends well into the floodplain, destroying property, equipment and livestock. Table 5-3. Extent by Jurisdiction JURISDICTION 1 Otsego County Town of Edmeston City of Oneonta Richfield Springs Unadilla Town of Westford ESTIMATED SEVERITY PER FLOOD EVENT 2 Action Stage, 16 to 23 feet Below Flood Stage, 0 to 15 feet Action Stage, 16 to 23 feet Below Flood Stage, 0 to 15 feet Action Stage, 16 to 23 feet Action Stage, 16 to 23 feet PEAK FLOOD EVENT 3 Action Stage over 19 feet: Floodwaters of the Little Elk Creek reached 19.9 feet in 1996 near Westford. Below Flood Stage over 4 feet: Floodwaters in the Wharton Creek Tributary reached 4.7 feet in September of 1985. The last year for Peak MSL data provided was 1986. Action Stage: Susquehanna River floodwaters reached 16.03 feet near the City of Oneonta in September 2011. Below Flood Stage over 5 feet: The year 1986 was the last year Peak MSL data was provided for Mink Creek. Its floodwaters reached 5.3 feet in Richfield Springs on March 19, 1986. Action Stage over 16 feet: Susquehanna River floodwaters reached 16.6 feet in the Town of Unadilla in March of 1936. Action Stage 22 feet: Little Elk Creek floodwaters reached 22 feet near Westford in September of 2011. 1 Peak MSL data is unavailable for the Towns of Exeter, Maryland, Milford, Otego, and Plainfield. There are not any water resource sites located in the Towns of Burlington, Butternuts, Cherry Valley, Decatur, Hartwick, Laurens, Middlefield, Morris, New Lisbon, Oneonta, Otsego, Pittsfield, Richfield, Roseboom, Springfield, Unadilla, Westford, and Worcester or in the Villages of Cherry Valley, Cooperstown, Gilbertsville, Laurens, Milford, Morris, and Otego. 2 Severity estimated by averaging floods at certain stage level over the history of flood events by jurisdiction and county. 3 Severity and peak events are provided from river and stream gauge data collected at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Peaks and averages provided where available. Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 41
The range of intensity that Otsego County can experience is high, or Zone A. In terms of a flood event it can vary in Action Stage as shown in Tables 5-2 and 5-3. Reading the Tables 5-1 through 5-3 together with Figures 5-1 through 5-36 provide estimated and potential magnitude and severity by area in the county. For example Springfield, as shown in Figure 5-32, has areas designated as Zone A and Zone AO. Reading this figure in conjunction with Table 5-1 means the area is an area of high risk for flood. Further, Table 5-3 indicates the average flood stage for an event for the county is Action with flood levels reaching up to 23 feet. HISTORICAL OCCURRENCES Historical evidence shows that areas within the county are susceptible to flooding, especially in the form of flash flooding. It is important to note that only flood events that have been reported have been factored into this risk assessment. It is likely that additional flood occurrences have gone unreported before and during this recording period. In some instances, historical flood information shows flood activity across a multicounty forecast area for a particular event. Table 5-4 shows historical incident information. Table 5-4. Historical Flood Events, 1994-2011 4 COUNTY EVENTS DEATHS INJURIES PROPERTY DAMAGE (2012 Dollars) CROP DAMAGE (2012 Dollars) ANNUAL LOSS ESTIMATES (2012 Dollars) Otsego 52 1 6 $94,225,843 $4,911,211 $1,982,741 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 16 November 2006 Otsego County A stalled cold front produced a major flood event from 1.5-4 inches of rainfall in a 3-hour period. Roads flooded in the western part of the County. Many hillsides and creeks turned into raging torrents, causing mudslides and debris flows. Property damage was estimated at $10 thousand. 25 June 2009 Otego, Otsego County Flash flooding from heavy rain caused one structure to collapse and one home was flooded. Streets were flooded in Otego. Interstate 88 was closed temporarily due to mudflow. Radar indicated an area of 2.50 to 4.00 inches of rain fell as far as 4 miles north and east of Otego. Property damage was estimated at $100,000. 10 September 2011 Unadilla, Otsego County 4 Source: SHELDUS & NCDC Page 42 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
A major flood event due to 6 to 12 inches of rainfall in a 48-hour period. Roads and highways were closed; the Susquehanna River near Unadilla, NY crested at 16.34 feet. No fatalities but damages to roads and bridges were estimated at $58 million from this one event. PROBABILITY OF FUTURE EVENTS Based on historical occurrences and extent, flooding is highly likely meaning an event is probable within the next year. VULNERABILITY AND IMPACT The building vulnerability assessment was conducted using a GIS mapping analysis process in which the available flood maps were overlaid with local parcel data to determine the number of parcels that intersect these hazard zones. In order to determine vulnerable population counts, buildings, and values, 2010 Census population, 2012 HAZUS building data and 2012 building value data was used. In making vulnerability determinations, it was decided that if any portion of a structure was confirmed to be located within the flood zone, then it was considered to be at risk to that flood hazard. While the GIS-based assessment does use specific attribute data tied to each individual property (i.e., year built and building value), it does not take into account certain unknown site-specific factors that may mitigate future flood losses on a building-by-building basis (such as finished floor elevations, surrounding topography, flood proofing measures, drainage, etc.). No further analysis on the potential vulnerability of structures to flooding was completed as part of this assessment. Table 5-5 summarizes the vulnerability assessment which is an estimate of potential for exposure to the base flood. The results of the analysis place the following percentages at risk to flood: 10.27 percent of the population, 20.9 percent of parcels with structures, and 24.4 percent of building value. JURISDICTION Table 5-5. Vulnerability to Flooding 2010 POPULATION 2012 BUILDING VALUE 5 By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood 2012 PARCELS WITH STRUCTURES By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood Town of Burlington 1,140 77 $29.6 $4.7 605 82 Town of Butternuts 1,387 116 $79.6 $9.8 779 89 Town of Cherry Valley Cherry Valley 703 96 $62.8 $43.4 404 189 520 62 $30.5 $3.7 278 35 5 Values are in millions of dollars. Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 43
JURISDICTION Cooperstown 2010 POPULATION 2012 BUILDING VALUE 5 By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood 2012 PARCELS WITH STRUCTURES By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood 1,852 60 $370 $116.1 901 58 Town of Decatur 353 18 $10.4 $2.7 258 61 Town of Edmeston 1,826 273 $56.6 $18.2 908 353 Town of Exeter 987 136 $23.3 $4.1 582 98 Gilbertsville 399 75 $23.5 $7.4 192 54 Town of Hartwick 2,110 363 $170.4 $50.4 1,076 375 Town of Laurens 2,161 206 $89.3 $9.4 938 80 Laurens 263 73 $18.5 $.61 95 8 Town of Maryland 1,897 170 $99.6 $24.1 1,029 188 Town of Middlefield 1,893 235 $150.7 $34.3 1,031 178 Town of Milford 2,629 279 $74.6 $25.6 1,359 421 Milford 415 14 $16.2 $.62 193 12 Town of Morris 1,295 184 $28.3 $7.6 590 146 Morris 583 62 $20.6 $1.6 263 22 Town of New Lisbon 1,114 40 $57.2 $4.9 640 46 Town of Oneonta 5, 229 617 $443.5 $115.9 1,998 183 City of Oneonta 13,901 856 $59.5 $81.9 3,166 435 Town of Otego 2,105 343 $99.8 $23.1 851 204 Otego 1,010 241 $51.7 $8.5 404 76 Town of Otsego 2,269 382 $298.8 $95 1,318 483 Town of Pittsfield 1,366 121 $27.3 $4.0 657 81 Town of Plainfield 915 41 $40.9 $6.0 449 61 Town of Richfield 1,124 134 $51.6 $26 722 375 Richfield Springs 1,264 124 $49.3 $9.6 548 76 Town of Roseboom 711 95 $18.3 $8.7 472 214 Town of Springfield 1,358 28 $65.7 $19 762 141 Town of Unadilla 3,264 383 $74.9 $16.8 1,413 263 Unadilla 1,128 215 $31.8 $13.1 503 187 Page 44 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
JURISDICTION 2010 POPULATION 2012 BUILDING VALUE 5 By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood 2012 PARCELS WITH STRUCTURES By Jurisdiction Vulnerable to flood Town of Westford 868 86 $22 $8 514 180 Town of Worcester 2,220 186 $63.9 $10.8 1,190 209 OTSEGO COUNTY TOTALS 62,259 6,391 $3.34 B $815.7 27,092 5,663 The severity of a flooding event varies depending on the relative risk to citizens and structures located within the county. During a severe flood event, Otsego County can expect to have a substantial impact. Injuries and deaths can be expected with more than 50 percent of property destroyed or damaged and a complete shutdown of critical facilities for 30 days or more. NFIP PARTICIPATION Flood insurance offered through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is the best way for home and business owners to protect themselves financially against the flood hazard. Of the 34 jurisdictions in Otsego County, all participate in the NFIP with the exception of the Milford and Town of Roseboom. Table 5-6 below lists the communities that are not participating and provides a reason for nonparticipation. Table 5-6. Communities Not Participating in the NFIP JURISDICTION Milford Town of Roseboom REASON FOR NON-PARTICIPATION Lack of funds Lack of funds As an additional indicator of floodplain management responsibility, communities may choose to participate in FEMA s Community Rating System (CRS). This is an incentive-based program that allows communities to undertake flood mitigation activities that go beyond NFIP requirements. Currently, none of the participating Otsego County communities participate in CRS. NFIP COMPLIANCE AND MAINTENANCE Jurisdictions in Otsego County have also developed mitigation actions or analyzed previous actions that relate to either NFIP maintenance or compliance. Compliance and maintenance actions can be found in Section 17. Flooding was identified by the majority of the jurisdictions as a moderate risk hazard during hazard ranking activities at the Risk Assessment Workshop. However, many of the mitigation actions, both for communities that participated in the 2008 Plan and those participating in the Plan Update, were developed with flood mitigation in mind. A majority of these flood actions address compliance with the NFIP and implementing Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 45
flood awareness programs. Region-wide, communities recognize the need and are adopting higher NFIP regulatory standards to further minimize flood risk in their community. Smaller no-growth communities that typically do not have personnel or funds to implement more stringent NFIP compliance measures are focusing on NFIP public awareness activities. This includes promoting the availability of flood insurance by placing NFIP brochures and flyers in public libraries or public meeting places. The prioritization method for implementing actions was based on FEMA s STAPLE+E criteria and included social, technical, administrative, political, legal, economic and environmental considerations. As a result of this exercise, an overall priority was assigned to each mitigation action by each Team member. The overall priority of each action is reflected in the mitigation actions found in Section 17 for the local jurisdictions. In prioritizing actions a community must consider many factors. Of primary consideration is targeting specific mitigation actions for implementation following a major disaster. Other factors that determine prioritization are, in part, ease of implementation by the community, cost of the project vs. perceived benefit, timeframe for implementing the action, and available personnel to oversee and implement the project. Following the 2006 floods, Otsego County received requests from numerous residents in the flood prone section of the county, regarding the possibility of a buyout program. The County initiated the application process to acquire funds for this purpose. The majority of these residences have suffered from flooding that has damaged their homes greater than 50% of their fair market value. Selling their property and relocating was considered the optimal method in preventing this problem from reoccurring. The proposed project consisted of a voluntary buyout program located in the 100-year floodplain along the Susquehanna River in the southern section of the planning area. The proposal eliminated housing units in the 100-year floodplain, reducing structural and personal property damages, including repetitive losses for many of the properties located in the project area. The structures purchased were demolished, existing grades reestablished, and re-vegetated. Properties remain in perpetuity. The proposed project was selected after a review of the project costs and the benefits derived, and the permanent protection from a 100-year event. The total estimated cost county wide of the project was $1,500,000. Otsego County served as lead agency. The City of Oneonta and Milford also initiated a buyout of a critical facility located within the community. KEY FLOOD MITIGATION ACTIVITIES CRITICAL FACILITIES In 2006, and subsequent flood events, critical facilities have been damaged by flood waters. In 2006, the City of Oneonta s Wastewater treatment plant experienced flooding, the Towns of Unadilla and Westford s Town Halls were damaged, and the Gilbertsville had flooding problems affecting Main Street. Many of the jurisdictions participating in the Plan Update have or are in the process of identifying mitigation strategies and projects for protecting critical facilities, particularly those communities that have essential facilities that support the community and are located in the 100-year floodplain, or that have flooded in the past. These mitigation actions may be found in Section 17. The goal is to ensure that critical facilities are protected to the 500-year flood level, or worse previous event, and remain accessible and functional before, during and after disasters. Protection of these facilities may include flood proofing or retrofitting existing structures, relocating buildings out of the floodplain, or demolishing an existing facility and rebuilding to higher regulatory standards. This may involve updating the local Flood Prevention Ordinance. Page 46 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
Funding is the key to undertaking these projects, which are time-consuming and costly. Recently, the New York State Division of Homeland Security announced a request for Applications for a Critical Infrastructure Grant Program, that would provide funding up to $40,000 per applicant for critical infrastructure protection. Unfortunately, Otsego County is not within the targeted county eligibility, so the county and its jurisdictions must seek funding under other programs for funding protection of critical facilities. In addition to obtaining funding, projects must be supported by local community officials and the public, and be economically, environmentally and technically feasible. For some communities, particularly smaller jurisdictions, there must be staff and a key contact person to administer and manage such an undertaking. TEMPORARY HOUSING Otsego County and the participating communities containing a 100-year floodplain are working to identify sites for placement of temporary housing units to house residents displaced by a disaster. This action may be found for many jurisdictions in Section 17. Sites may be on land owned by the community or private land located outside the Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) on current FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). Areas of consideration may include existing mobile home parks, public or private land, or a site easily convertible to house units. Recognizing that bordering communities would benefit from a common site, communities are communicating with neighboring jurisdictions and developing inter local agreements consistent with its mitigation and emergency plans, and evacuation routes. The goal is to protect residents and minimize stress and hardship during and after a disaster, and allow residents to remain in their community following a disaster. As an example, the City of Oneonta has identified two locations for temporary housing in the community, SUNY-Oneonta, and St. James Church. REPETITIVE LOSS The Severe Repetitive Loss (SRL) Grant Program under FEMA provides federal funding to assist states and communities in implementing mitigation measures to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to severe repetitive loss residential structures insured under the NFIP. New York State administers the SRL grant program for the State of New York. Severe Repetitive Loss properties are defined as residential properties that are: covered under the NFIP and have at least four flood related damage claim payments (building and contents) over $5,000.00 each, and the cumulative amount of such claims payments exceed $20,000; or at least two separate claim payments (building payments only) have been made with the cumulative amount of the building portion of such claims exceeding the market value of the building. In either scenario, at least two of the referenced claims must have occurred within any ten-year period, and must be greater than 10 days apart. 6 Table 5-7 shows repetitive loss and severe repetitive loss properties for the county. 6 Source: New York State Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 47
Table 5-7. Repetitive Loss and Severe Repetitive Loss Properties JURISDICTION PROPERTY # INSURED? BUILDING TYPE LOSSES TOTAL PAID SRL INDICATOR 7 Town of Butternuts 210288 YES Town of Decatur 203666 YES Laurens Town of Maryland Town of Maryland Town of Maryland 201027 NO 204648 NO 2 $15,171.65 V 2 $45,060.14 V 2 $15,054.26 V 2 $11,540.97 V 207551 YES 2-4 FAMILY 2 $12,930.39 V 207545 YES Town of Milford 210661 YES City of Oneonta 211435 YES City of Oneonta 166347 NO City of Oneonta 30520 NO Town of Oneonta 209933 YES Town of Oneonta 81292 NO Town of Oneonta 165794 YES Town of Oneonta 212185 YES Town of Oneonta 203990 YES Town of Otego 210354 YES Town of Otego 200980 YES Otego 204175 YES Otego 201954 YES Otego 207937 YES NON RESIDNT 2 $6,000.18 V 2 $27,368.44 V 2 $9,477.78 V 2 $20,641.83 V 2 $4,970.69 V 2 $99,528.15 V 3 $16,471.77 V 3 $95,165.33 V 2 $65,830.66 V 2 $86,430.31 V 2 $21,015.49 V 2 $12,628.12 V 2 $71,505.31 V 2 $7,6153.20 V 2 $155,246.30 V 7 In this column: V stands for Validated ; VN stands for Validated Nonresidential ; VU stand for Validated Uninsured ; VNU stands for Validated Nonresidential Uninsured ; P stands for Pending ; PU stands for Pending Uninsured ; and PN stands for Pending Nonresidential. Page 48 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update
JURISDICTION PROPERTY # INSURED? BUILDING TYPE LOSSES TOTAL PAID SRL INDICATOR 7 Otego 203706 YES Otego 205447 YES Town of Richfield 34815 NO Town of Richfield 208950 YES Town of Richfield 208904 YES Town of Unadilla 210536 YES Town of Unadilla 210971 YES Town of Unadilla 211430 YES Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla 201262 YES 200752 YES 211429 YES 204074 YES 205468 YES 206725 YES 210281 YES 211434 YES 206727 NO 206726 YES 201952 YES 166645 YES 200731 YES 208955 YES 210797 YES 211431 NO NON RESIDNT OTHER RESID NON RESIDNT 2 $110,653.58 V 2 $128,545.27 V 2 $9,006.2 V 2 $80,582.64 V 2 $64,417.37 V 2 $119,425.36 V 2 $163,562.54 V 2 $157,676.55 V 2 $39,444.84 V 2 $35,357.02 V 2 $74,759.81 V 2 $174,824.49 V 2 $29,733.88 V 2 $14,348.45 V 2 $21,628.27 V 2 $25,406.98 V 2 $128,262.13 V 2 $18,023.68 V 2 $118,698.63 V 3 $81,129.99 V 2 $26,682.19 V 2 $38,368.26 V 2 $24,302.79 V 2 $26,146.9 V Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update Page 49
JURISDICTION PROPERTY # INSURED? BUILDING TYPE LOSSES TOTAL PAID SRL INDICATOR 7 Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Unadilla Town of Worcester 209930 YES 205313 YES 201745 YES 209932 YES 199642 YES 211432 YES 209931 YES 211433 YES 207287 YES 2 $16,108.64 V 2 $24,672.67 V 2 $19,288.84 V 2 $11,456.03 V 2 $26,597.66 V 2 $13,668.32 V 2 $40,432.61 V 2 $19,885.96 V 2 $17,134.77 V Page 50 Otsego County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update