have flooding problems. If your neighborhood is to assist in maintaining the drainage in their not listed, your property may still be within a areas by removing or reporting obstructions flood zone, as designated by Federal Emergency (such as shopping carts, leaves, debris, trash, Management Agency (FEMA) maps. Upon etc.). Keeping drainage channels free of request, the Engineering Department at obstructions reduces flooding in the event of (515) 278-3950, will make free flood zone heavy rains. By way of City ordinance, it is determinations for properties within the City. illegal to dump trash, leaves, landscape debris, ARE YOU PREPARED FEMA maps are also available at paint, grease, or any other material into any FOR A FLOOD IN www.Urbandale.org/663/Floods-and-FEMA. portion of the City’s drainage system. Such dumping can have devastating impacts on water If located in an “A” Zone, your property is within YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? quality in addition to causing flooding. To report the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), which is obstructions or illegal dumping, or for questions an area that has been determined to have the Flooding Events in the City of Urbandale. regarding drainage system maintenance, please potential for flooding caused by a 100-year contact Engineer at (515) 278-3950. In recent years, large storm events have led to storm. The building department also maintains both localized and regional flooding. This elevation certificates for many properties within  Protect your property from the hazards of brochure is to provide information on flooding the city which are available for review. flooding and wind. Various methods may be impacts in Urbandale and provide resources for used to minimize flooding. If the floor level of  Purchase flood insurance on your property. further information. your property is lower than the “Base Flood Flooding is not covered by a standard Elevation” (elevation of the 100-year flood, homeowner’s insurance policy. A separate flood based on the FEMA maps), consider elevating What should you do before a flood? insurance policy is required to cover damages your structure, if possible. Brochures discussing incurred by flooding. Coverage is available for  Determine if your property is located in an flood proofing and other mitigation measures are the building itself as well as for the contents of area subject to flooding. The following areas available at www.Urbandale.org/663/Floods- the building. The City of Urbandale participates have a known potential for flooding: and-FEMA. If a flood is imminent, property can in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) be protected by sandbagging areas subject to the North Walnut Creek – From Hickman Road to that makes available federally backed flood entry of water into living spaces. The City of the shared boundary with Grimes insurance for all structures, whether or not they Urbandale Public Works may be available to Beaver Creek – From Merle Hay Road to the are located within the floodplain. Note that there shared boundary with Johnston provide sandbags to assist with sandbagging is a 30-day waiting period before coverage goes Rocklyn Creek – From Hickman Road to efforts. Valuables and furniture may also be into effect. More than 25 percent of NFIP claims Douglas Avenue moved to higher areas of the dwelling to are filed by properties located outside the 100- Karen Acres Creek – From Camelot Drive to minimize damages. The City of Urbandale will year floodplain, also known as the Special Flood Douglas Avenue make site visits to provide one-on-one advice to Hazard Area (SFHA). Contact your insurance Living History Creek – From Hickman Road to a property owner regarding flooding and agency for more information. Flood insurance Meredith Drive drainage issues on private property. We also information is also available at Walnut Creek – From Hickman Road to the have site specific information for some parcels www.Urbandale.org/663/Floods-and-FEMA. shared boundary with Polk County within Urbandale. For more information, please Little Walnut Creek – From its confluence with  Maintain drainage channels and pipes contact Engineering at (515)-278-3950. Walnut Creek to the shared boundary with free of obstruction and debris. The City of Clive  Meet improvement requirements. The Urbandale performs cleaning and maintenance National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) This is not a complete list of areas that are within activities on the drainage channels and pipes in requires that if the cost of reconstruction, flood zones, but rather a list of areas with City easements & rights-of-way in accordance additions, or other improvements to a building documented flooding problems. A property with an established schedule and other standard equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s market located within a flood zone does not necessarily operating procedures. Residents are encouraged value, then the building must meet the same evacuations are called for, it is imperative that Require your contractors to obtain the proper construction requirements as a new building. you follow instructions in the time frame noted. permits for work being performed. Permits are Substantially damaged buildings must also be  Questions regarding emergency procedures required for any permanent improvement brought up to the same standards. For example, may be addressed to the Polk County Emergency (including additions, remodels, and alterations, a residence damaged so that the cost of repairs Management at 515-286-2107. etc.) to a structure. Permits are required even if a equals or exceeds 50% of the building’s value homeowner is doing the work himself.  If dangerous flooding conditions are before it was damaged must be elevated above imminent, avoid driving a vehicle if possible. Questions about permits or contractor licensing the base flood elevation. Please contact the Do not attempt to drive or wade through deep may be addressed to the City of Urbandale Building Department at (515) 278-3935 for more pockets of water or running washes. Unstable Building Department at (515) 278-3935. information. banks should be avoided. Develop an evacuation  Meet permitting requirements. All plan for your family. Recognize the natural and beneficial development within the city requires a permit.  Avoid low-lying areas. Seek shelter in the functions of floodplains to help reduce Always check and fulfill permitting requirements highest areas possible. flooding: with the Building Department at (515) 278-3935 before you build on, alter, fill, or re-grade on any What should you do after a flood? Floodplains are a natural component of the portion of your property and/or within any Urbandale environment. Understanding and easement or right-of-way. Also, contact the  Listen to the radio for emergency protecting the natural functions of floodplains number above to report any suspected permitting instructions. helps reduce flood damage and protect resources. When flooding spreads out across the floodplain, violations.  Avoid driving if possible. its energy is dissipated, which results in lower  Keep an emergency supply. Non-  Follow established procedures for property flood flows downstream, reduced erosion of the perishable food, water, batteries, flashlights, a damage repairs: streambank and channel, deposition of sediments manual can opener, and a battery-operated radio higher in the watershed and improved should be kept available. Select a contractor who is licensed in his trade. The City of Urbandale requires contractors to be groundwater recharge. Floodplains are scenic, valued wildlife habitat, and suitable for farming. What should you do during a flood? licensed and/or registered with the City. They will also be able to produce a copy of their Poorly planned development in floodplains can  If your property is in imminent danger of permit. Only licensed electricians may perform lead to streambank erosion, loss of valuable flooding, please contact MidAmerican Energy electrical work, only licensed plumbers may property, increased risk of flooding to Company at (888) 427-5632 to request that your perform plumbing work, only licensed gas downstream properties and degradation of water power and natural gas be shut off, or for quality. contractors may work on a gas system, only guidance on how to do it yourself. This number licensed mechanical contractors may perform may also be contacted regarding any other For more information about flood safety heating, ventilation and air conditioning work, electrical or natural gas emergencies. or the NFIP, please note the following: and only licensed building contractors may www.Urbandale.org/663/Floods-and-FEMA  Tune-in to local commercial radio or perform building related work. Verify that www.floodalert.fema.gov television stations (KGGO 94.9 FM, KKDM contractors are licensed by contacting the www.fema.gov/hazards/floods 107.5 FM, KDRB 100.3 FM, WHO 1040 AM), Building Department before signing or agreeing 1-888-FLOOD29 (NFIP) or NOAA Weather Radio (frequency 162.550) to any repair contracts. It is also recommended This information is provided by the City of Urbandale and is for Watch and Warning Bulletins and any that you verify certification of liability and applicable to properties within the limits of the City. If you corresponding emergency instructions. The Polk workman’s compensation insurance. Complaints reside in a jurisdiction other than the City of Urbandale, County or Dallas County Emergency against licensed contractors may be referred to contact your regulatory authority for information. Management Agencies will order or advise the appropriate licensing agency. evacuations if conditions warrant this action. If