Flood Damage Prevention

York County is a proactive participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) which is administered in South Carolina by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Flood Mitigation Program (FMP). The NFIP aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures by providing flood insurance to property owners, renters, and businesses. It also encourages communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations. More information on the NFIP program can be found at Flood Insurance | FEMA.gov. 

The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) establishes the minimum requirements and guidelines that must be adopted as part of a Floodplain Management Program. In order to further reduce the risk of property damage and to lower flood insurance rates for citizens, York County has adopted higher regulatory standards and floodplain management program activities that currently afford flood insurance policy holders a 10% discount in flood insurance premium rates based on the Community Rating System (CRS). York County’s Community Rating number is 8 which should be indicated on your policy.

Flood information is available for properties in the unincorporated areas of York County. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and Elevation Certificates may be viewed at the York County Planning & Development Services building. The York County Main Library also has a set of FIRM’s for viewing as well as various other helpful brochures. Flood Insurance Rate Maps may be viewed digitally at the FEMA Floodplain Maps application.

Is your property subject to increased risk of flooding? Find out through the York County Floodplain Viewer at Flood Viewer Map

Functions:

The York County Floodplain Manager is tasked with overseeing the protection of floodplain and floodway areas of the County. The Floodplain Manager also implements regulations for development within the floodplain through the administration of the Chapter 151 – Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance. These regulations have been set by various federal, state, and local agencies to preserve the function of natural floodplains and to prevent loss of life and property due to issues that may arise when natural water courses are altered. Request a Flood Zone Determination to see if your property is located within a floodplain.

Responsibilities:

• Review subdivision plans from developers' engineers and individual residential plans for compliance with York County and SCDNR design standards.
• Reviews Certificates of Elevation.
• Assist residents and developers to identify floodplain areas.
• Develop and/or revise York County design standards and ordinances in order to properly review submitted documents from all possible sources.
• Provide customer service and technical assistance to all York County departments, other government agencies, consultants, vendors, developers, public, etc. for all projects on an as needed basis.