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Flood & Natural Hazards Information
Welcome
Welcome to the City of Douglas Floodplain Management webpage. The City of Douglas is always working on ways to improve and increase its circulation of and accessibility to information that pertains to the floodplain, in an effort to better educate and assist its citizens about developing and living in the floodplain.
The City of Douglas participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and the Insurance Services Office Community Rating Service Program (ISO CRS). The City is currently rated at a Class 8 which benefits the community with a discount on their flood insurance premium for residents located in Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Mission
The primary objective of Floodplain Management is to administer the Federal Emergency Management Agency's policies to protect public health and safety, reduce damage to buildings and contents, prevent increases in flood damage from new construction, reduce the risk of erosion damage, and protect natural and beneficial floodplain functions.
| Priority Topics | Information |
| Know Your Flood Hazard | Your property may be subject to flooding by the North Platte River, Antelope Creek, or Miller Draw. View your property and see if you are in a flood zone by using the Public Mapserver. You may also contact the Community Development Department at 358-2132 for more information. |
| Insure Your Property for Your Flood Hazard | Ask your insurance agent if you are covered for flood damage. Renters should buy flood insurance for their contents. Take advantage of a low-cost Preferred Risk Policy. See the links below for more information on Flood Insurance. |
| Protect People from the Hazard | Watch the City of Douglas Facebook page for key messages and information regarding flooding hazards including messages such as "Turn Around, Don't Drown." Know the warning siren tones and what they mean. Designate a place where your family can rendezvous after an evacuation order is issued. |
| Protect Your Property From the Hazard | Ensure your furnace and other equipment are located above the flood level. Replace any damaged equipment immediately after a flood. Store your valuables and insurance papers upstairs in a waterproof container. |
| Build Responsibly | Call the Community Development Department prior to starting any project to check if you need a permit. Don't build or grade within 10-feet from the property line so you don't alter the drainage between homes. Use only licensed contractors who know the rules. |
| Protect Natural Floodplain Functions | Enjoy the North Platte River responsibly. Do not dump trash or disturb the natural environment. Do not alter the course of Antelope Creek or Miller Draw. |
Links to Informational Websites
- FEMA
- FloodSmart.gov
- National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- FEMA Map Server
- Areas mapped in the National Wetlands Inventory
- Areas mapped as critical habitat by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Areas identified in state or regional programs, such as the Colorado Natural Heritage Program maps of existing and potential conservation areas
- Real-Time Stream Gauge Data
- FloodSmart Community Resources
- Red Cross Disaster Safety Checklist
- How to Protect Your Home from Flood Damage
- Emergency Planning - Protect your Pet
- How to Avoid Flood Damaged Cars
- STEM Challenge for Kids - Building Flood Resistant Homes
- Storm and Emergency Guide for Kids
- Coping With Disaster
- Disaster Master & Build a Kit - Educational Games for Kids
- Flood Facts & Tips
Available Brochures & Information
- About the Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurances
- Above the Flood - Elevating Your Floodprone House, FEMA-347 (2000)
- Answers to Tough Questions
- Answers to Questions About the National Flood Insurance Program, F-084 (2011)
- Appealing Your Flood Insurance Claim
- Challenging the Lender's Map Determination
- Elevated Residential Structures, FEMA-54 (1984)
- Emergency Preparedness Checklist
- Facts, Figures & Stats
- Flood Insurance – How it Works
- Flood Insurance & Flood Maps
- Flood Preparation Safety Brochure
- Flood Risks – Heavy Rains
- Flood Risks – New Development
- Flood Risks – Winter Flooding
- Flood Smart Campaign
- FloodSmart Online Tools & Resources for Property Owners
- Managing Your Flood Insurance Claim
- Mandatory Purchase of Flood Insurance Guidelines, FEMA-083 (2007)
- New Flood Hazard Maps - What Property Owners Should Know
- NFIP Summary Coverage
- Protecting Building Utilities from Flood Damage, FEMA-P-348 (1999)
- Protecting Floodplain Resources, FEMA-268 (1996)
- Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other Hazards, FEMA-P-85 (2009)
- Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding, FEMA 511 (2005)
- Why You Need Flood Insurance
Elevation Certificates
An Elevation Certificate is a form created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) as a compliance and insurance tool within federally mapped floodplains. The certificates verify that structures are safely elevated above the expected 100-year flood level and that they meet other floodplain requirements. Insurance companies utilize the certificates to determine flood insurance premiums for homeowners within flood hazard zones.
The use of the FEMA Elevation Certificate is required by the federal government within federally mapped floodplains. Although Elevation Certificates may be completed by other individuals for insurance purposes, the City cannot accept an Elevation Certificate that is not completed, signed and sealed by a registered land surveyor or engineer.
Contact the Community Development Department at (307) 358-2132 to see if a certificate is on file for your property.
Elevation Certificate and Instructions
Elevation Certificate Standard Operating Procedures
Dry Floodproofing Certificate for Non-Residential Structures