How do you know if your in a flood plain? Simple answer is… if animals are lining up to your door 2 by 2…you are more than likely in a flood plain. Going to the FEMA website can give you general mapping of your area. One of the best places I’ve found is your county zoning department. (Counties vary, so if your zoning department can’t help, they can usually tell you who would.) They can usually tell you if you are in a 500 year or 100 year flood plain. Most people think that if a house is on a hill or above the bluff that it is free from being in a flood plain. While usually true, there are still some areas in Peoria that are still require flood plain insurance.

A 500 year flood plain means that the river will flood up to this level at least once every 500 years. Same is true for the 100 year flood plain.

Can the flood plain map change? Yes, FEMA is remapping our area. Why? First, some maps are old and new technology provides better mapping. Second, rivers are living creatures that change as silt deposits grow and new paths are cut. Third, Hurricane Katrina taught FEMA a lesson. What does a Hurricane have to do with Peoria? They learned that just because there is a levy does not mean that it will hold water back. Now FEMA is requiring that all levies be certified before they say property is protected from a flood. Fourth, because of changing weather patterns, FEMA believes that we can see more flooding in the future.

I’ve been told that Peoria “Flood Plain” will be raised by upto 4 feet. FEMA is currently upgrading Woodford County’s Flood map which should be out soon. Areas previously not considered in a flood zone may actually need flood insurance.

Historical Peoria Lake Crests
(1) 28.80 ft on 05/23/1943
(2) 28.70 ft on 03/23/1979
(3) 28.40 ft on 03/07/1985
(4) 27.94 ft on 03/14/2009
(5) 27.40 ft on 12/09/1982

Thanks
Tim Johnson, REALTOR
TRADERS Realty
www.TimJohnsonRealtor.com