OKLAHOMA CITY – Eight counties and 29 municipalities in southwest Oklahoma participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and have floodplain administrators.
Deric Carpenter of Sterling became the latest floodplain administrator accredited by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB). Accreditation ensures that “these officials are properly trained to effectively administer local floodplain regulations,” said Aaron Milligan, state NFIP coordinator.
Community Floodplain Administrators (FPAs) must attend six hours per year of floodplain management-related training, Milligan said. The OWRB offers free training sessions but FPAs may attend other training through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Oklahoma Floodplain Managers Association or The Association of Floodplain Management.
When a community joins the National Flood Insurance Program it adopts regulations that meet FEMA minimum standards for managing development in the special flood hazard area, or 1%-chance floodplain.
The Oklahoma Floodplain Management Act, passed in 1980, authorizes communities and counties to develop floodplain regulations, designate flood hazard areas and establish floodplain boards.
“The FPA’s primary responsibility is to review development projects in the floodplain, permit that development and ensure that the community’s regulations are complied with,” Milligan said.
Consistent with protecting the natural functions of the floodplain and reducing flood losses, the OWRB values the “No Adverse Impact” floodplain management approach. NAI strategies promote responsible floodplain development through community-based decision making.
Thirty percent of NFIP claims originate in areas outside of the 100-year flood plain.
According to the OWRB, 400 Oklahoma cities, towns and counties participate in the NFIP, and Oklahomans have received nearly $200 million in NFIP payments.