opportunities; decrease public funds used in relief efforts, and;
maintain eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which makes subsidized flood insurance available to the citizens of Franklin County.

Franklin County strives to create a community where the increasing pressures of development and existing floodplains can coexist in harmony. To this end, Franklin County has adopted two pieces of legislation aimed at protecting life and structures from the dangers of flooding. The Special Resolution adopted the Franklin County National Flood Insurance Program Regulation, and the Franklin County Zoning Resolution, Section 610.

Franklin County adopted the Special Resolution – National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Regulation on September 26, 1978. The adoption of this legislation permitted the unincorporated portions of Franklin County to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This legislation reflects the minimum flood development requirements as stated in the NFIP. The Special Resolution applies to 17 townships located in Franklin County. Specifically: Plain Township, Sharon Township, Perry Township, Washington Township, Brown Township, Norwich Township, Prairie Township, Franklin Township, Pleasant Township, Jackson Township, Hamilton Township, Madison Township, Truro Township, Clinton Township, Jefferson Township, Blendon Township and Mifflin Township.

Franklin County adopted Section 610 of the Franklin County Zoning Resolution (Floodplain Regulations) on July 5, 1983. This section reflects the flexibility of the NFIP in allowing participating communities to adopt stricter floodplain regulations. Section 610 contains additional requirements and is more restrictive than the minimum NFIP provisions. Specifically, Section 610 requires:

compliance with development standards including anchoring techniques, flood damage minimization and maintaining the flow characteristics of the floodplain

Section 610 of the Franklin County Zoning Resolution applies to Blendon, Sharon, Brown, Norwich, Franklin, Pleasant, Hamilton, Madison, Truro, Mifflin and Clinton Townships.

Plain, Prairie, Perry, Jefferson, Washington, and Jackson Townships have adopted their own floodplain codes, which are more restrictive than Franklin County’s Special Resolution. Please go here for specific floodplain information for these townships.

Franklin County’s floodplain regulations do not apply to the 12 cities and 13 villages located within the county. Several municipalities actively participate in the NFIP. Please refer to each municipality’s ordinance for specific floodplain regulation. For additional information, please go here.

The Franklin County Development Department strives to make floodplain information available to the public. Please call the department at (614) 462-3094 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM EST. if you have any questions or comments. Additionally, the floodplain administrator will be more that happy to visit your township hall, blockwatch group or civic association and address your floodplain questions and concerns in person. Please telephone or email in order to arrange a meeting or presentation.

The United States Congress approved the National Flood Insurance Act (NFIA) in 1968 which created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The creation of the NFIP was in response to growing development within flood hazard areas. Development was occurring in such a way that the possibility of flooding were usually not taken into account. Evidence of this was the growing need of public relief for flood related disasters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is empowered to administer the NFIP. While provisions are made for floodplain development, it is highly encouraged that all development be located in non-flood hazard areas. Floodplain development must comply with a minimum set of guidelines intended to protect the structure as well as the occupants inside. In return for adopting floodplain regulations, low cost subsidized flood insurance is available to participating communities. This is especially important while most home owner/home renter insurance policies do not provide flood insurance (or if it is available, it is extremely expensive).

FEMA provides detailed Flood Insurance Boundary Maps (FIRM’s) to communities that participate in the NFIP. FIRM panels designate all flood hazard areas within a community. Should development occur within a floodplain, several requirements must be adhered to including the adopting of a floodproofing technique. Floodproofing technology can take several forms. The National Flood Insurance Program allows and encourages communities to adopt stricter floodplain regulations.

FEMA and Franklin County consider Mitigation as a high priority. Mitigation can take several forms including elevation of flood prone buildings, acquiring and demolition of structures that suffer repetitive losses and strongly encouraging all development to occur outside of flood hazard areas.

Flood Control Act of 1917 was passed in response to a series of major floods on the Potomac River, Susquehanna River and upper Ohio River basins. This act gave the Corps of Engineer authority to (1) build and maintain dams (2) engage in channel modifications (3) construct levees and floodwalls.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Act of 1933 established the TVA and its scope of managing resource development, dam construction and flood control projects.

House Document 465 of 1966 recommended major policy recommendations for flood loss reduction.

Southeast Hurricane Disaster Relief Act of 1965 was adopted in the wake of hurricane Betsy. This Act directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development to examine financial assistance options for flood victims. Housing and Urban Development concluded that a National Flood Insurance Program was feasible.

National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 creates the National Flood Insurance Program which makes low-cost subsidized flood insurance available to communities who adopt minimum flood hazard regulations. Localities can adopt ordinances that prohibit development in floodways and regulate development in the 100-year and 500-year floodway fringe. Allows communities to adopt stricter floodplain ordinances if they wish.

Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 authorized coastal floodplain management plans.

The Water Pollution Control Act of 1972 authorized permit procedures for dredging and placing fill materials in bodies of water. Also required permits for municipal and industrial discharges.

The Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 includes incentives to participate in the NFIP and requires that localities enforce local floodplain ordinance or they will be kicked out of NFIP.

The Water Resources Development Act of 1974 encouraged nonstructural approaches to floodplain management

Executive Order 11988 mandated that Federal agencies avoid floodplains when possible and comply with NFIP minimum standards

Executive Order 11990 required that Federal agencies avoid wetlands

National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994 prohibits federal disaster assistance in cases were flood insurance has not been maintained. Also provides 75/25 cost share grants to states and communities. Provides up to $1.5 million for state/community mitigation planning. Establishes flood insurance rate based on (in part) the risk the structure has of being damaged by flooding. Defines "Substantial Damage" where the cost of compliance exceeds 50% of the market value of the structure in question. Also establishes a 30-day waiting period before NFIP policies become effective.