The City of Tempe is one of 20,000 cities nationwide that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Therefore, Tempe has adopted and is enforcing floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters, and business owners in these communities.

Within participating communities, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA )is responsible for determining the extent to which flooding might threaten any given area of land. Flooding threat classifications run from minimal to severe, with severe areas categorized as "Special Flood Hazard Areas" (SFHAs).

The SFHA is also known as the 100-year floodplain. It is more precisely defined as the floodplain associated with a flood that has a 1 percent annual chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. Therefore, the SFHA is not a flood that happens once in a hundred years; rather, it’s a flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring every year. Thus, a 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time. Based on this formula, structures located in SFHAs have a 26 percent chance of being flooded over the course of a 30-year mortgage.

Is Flood Insurance Required by Law?

In order to obtain secured financing to buy, build or improve structures located in Special Flood Hazard Areas, owners are required to purchase flood insurance. Federally regulated lenders are required by law to determine whether the structure is located in a SFHA and must provide the buyer with written notice that flood insurance will be required. In other words, properties that are located in Special Flood Hazard Areas and do not have flood insurance will not be granted a loan.

Flood Insurance Facts

Standard homeowner’s insurance policies cover many types of water damage, but the damage caused by floods is not covered. Therefore, even if you are not within a SFHA you may wish to consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood insurance covers structures and its contents but does not cover the land that a home or building sits on. Typical flood insurance coverage for structures includes:

• Foundation
• Electrical and plumbing
• Central air conditioning systems and furnace
• Refrigerators, cooking stoves and built-in appliances
• Permanent flooring including carpet
• Water heaters

Other items and contents covered by flood insurance includes interior walls, portable air conditioners, washer, dryers, flooring and damage to personal belongings such as clothing, furniture and electronics.

Large or small floods have a chance of occurring at any time and can create a significant hazard to people and property. Property owners interested in purchasing flood insurance should contact their personal insurance carrier for coverage and pricing.

Special Flood Hazard Areas in Tempe

Tempe flood hazard areas, which are primarily in and around the Salt River and adjacent to elevated canals or railroads, are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps.

One way to find out if you are in or near a Special Flood Hazard Area is to go to the FEMA Map Service Center webpage and enter your address. (https://msc.fema.gov).

If you need help with the Flood Insurance Rate Maps or would like a Floodplain Determination Form completed for your insurance company or lender call 480-350-8341 or visit the Community Development Office in the Tempe City Hall complex at 31 E. 5th Street. The form needed to make this finding is available from the Community Development Office or here.

Floodplain Clearance

Floodplain Clearance Permits are required for any type of structure whether temporary or permanent within a SFHA.

Permanent new structures and substantial improvements or remodels require a design review of floor elevations and other structural criteria prior to permit issuance. Design and post construction Elevation Certificates are to be submitted to Community Development – Building Safety.

The forms for the Floodplain Clearance Permit and the Waiver form for occupying SFHA are available here.

For further information, contact the City of Tempe Engineering Division Floodplain Management Section as noted below.

Community Rating System 

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management practices that exceed the minimum requirements of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Over 1,500 communities including Tempe participate nationwide.

In CRS communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s efforts that address the three goals of the program:

1. Reduce and avoid flood damage to insurable property
2. Strengthen and support the insurance aspects of the National Flood Insurance Program
3. Foster comprehensive floodplain management
4. Provides for reductions in flood insurance premiums for cities and others which meet certain standards

The latest review of the City of Tempe’s flood control practices resulted in an improved rating to a CRS Class 5.. This improved rating reduces premiums for property owners within a SFHA by 25% and those outside a SFHA by 10%.

Flooding Questions and Advice

Our rating is based in part to Tempe’s service on our property owners. Among the information and services we provide are:

• Explanation of FIRM data and further information including Flood Insurance Study (FIS) data
• Information about potential flooding problems not shown on FIRMs
• Access to a limited number of available Elevation Certificates in our records
• Questions about site flooding at your home or business

Therefore, if you have any questions about the items above or any other floodplain or flooding issues you can contact Gregg Kent PE CFM at the City of Tempe Engineering Division Floodplain Management Section at gregg_kent@tempe.gov or (480) 350-2738

Additional helpful links

City of Tempe

Storms and Monsoon Weather

Make sure you are prepared. Click Are You Monsoon Ready for more information.

FEMA/NFIP

The FEMA/NFIP Flood Smart website contains information about flood insurance and its benefits

https://www.floodsmart.gov/

FEMA’s Flood Resilience for Homeowners, Renters & Business Owners explains flooding risks

https://www.fema.gov/flood-maps/products-tools/know-your-risk/homeowners-renters

FEMA Elevation Certificate Form

FEMA Map Service Center for Flood Zone Determination

Maricopa County Flood Control District (MCFCD)

Unofficial Maricopa County Flood Control District Floodplain Map https://www.maricopa.gov/3803/Online-Maps

Reduce Your Flood Risk – A Resource Guide

https://www.maricopa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/56962/Reduce

Real time rainfall data http://fcd.maricopa.gov/625/Rainfall-data

Road closure map MCDOT Road Closures (maricopa.gov)

Post Flooding Demolition Asbestos Risk
https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/natural-disasters/