Flood Information

What is a floodplain

Floodplains play a valuable role in providing a wide range of benefits to both human and natural systems. Floodplains by their nature are periodically flooded at different points in time. Open floodplains provide a natural catchment basin to collect and retain runoff, which reduces the severity of floods while recharging groundwater levels. It is critical that dedicated open spaces in floodplains remain open to allow these benefits to naturally occur. Floodplains are defined along Bull Creek along the west side of the city, Dry Turkey Creek, and the East Branch Dry Turkey Creek on the far eastern edge of the city.

Map of the McPherson floodplain

Flash flooding is a common problem among smaller tributaries that drain into the creeks. Local flooding can also happen when storm drain inlets and culverts are clogged with leaves, grass, and branches. Type in your address at the following Flood Map Service Center offered but the Federal Emergency Management Agency to find out how close your property is to a floodplain. (FEMA Flood Map) 

Do you have flood insurance? 

Just because your home or business has not flooded in recent years, does not mean it will not flood. The Special Flood Hazard Area, or the mapped floodplain, is the area predicted to be flooded in a 1% annual storm. There is a 26 percent chance a property in the mapped floodplain will flood in a 30-year period. Another way to consider this, there is a 1 in 6 chance of the property flooding in 18 years. While the risk is greater if you own a building in the mapped floodplain, flooding can happen anywhere. 

The city participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), making NFIP insurance available to our residents and NFIP premiums have a 10% discount due to the city’s participation in the Community Rating System program. To purchase a NFIP flood insurance policy, go to FloodSmart.gov to find out more or go to the Quote Tool to get a quote. Or call the NFIP Help Center at 1-800-427-4661, or call your local agent. Remember your homeowner’s policy doesn’t cover a flood and there is a 30-day waiting on most new flood insurance policies.

Helpful links

FEMA Homeowner’s Guide to Retroftting - Six Ways to Protect Your Home From Flooding
https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance
https://www.ready.gov/floods
https://www.alarms.org/flood-survival-guide/

FLOOD SAFETY

The following common-sense guidelines can help protect you from the dangers of flooding:

• Do not drive through a flooded area. More people drown in cars than anywhere else. Do not drive around barriers. 2 feet of water can float a vehicle.
• TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN!! 
• Do not walk through flowing water. Six inches of water can knock you off your feet. Keep children away from flood waters, ditches, culverts, and storm drains as small people can easily be sucked into culverts. Individuals can also be injured by debris or contaminants that have been picked up by the flood waters.
• Stay away from power lines and electrical wires. If you know you are going to be flooded, shut the power off at the service box. Electrical current can travel through water. Electrocution is the 2nd leading cause of death during floods.
• Be alert to gas leaks. Turn off the gas to your house before it floods. If you smell gas, report it to your gas company. Do not use candles, lanterns, or open flames if you smell gas or are unsure if your gas has been shut off.
• Do not use gas engines, such as generators, or charcoal fires indoors during power outages. Carbon monoxide exhaust can pose serious health hazards.
• Clean everything that has been wet!! Due to contamination in floodwaters with sewage and other chemicals that pose a health threat, everything that has come in contact with floodwaters must be cleaned.

PROPERTY PROTECTION MEASURES

If your property is susceptible to flooding, there are many flood damage reduction measures you can employ.

• Watertight seals can be applied to brick and concrete block walls. This is to protect your home from low-level flooding.
• Utilities such as heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters and other major appliances can be elevated to higher floors in the structure or on raised platforms.
• Temporary measures such as moving furniture and other valuables to higher floors and sand bagging exterior openings will also help.
• Elevating or relocating the entire structure may also be a feasible option.
• Keep drainage routes clear of debris. That can be our local creeks, street drain grates, and your own side and rear yard drainage swales. If you see any dumping in the creeks or channels, call Public Works at 620-245-2545 or you can file a report through our Citizen Reporting Tool.