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Introduction
The City of Wetumpka is dedicated to minimizing the loss of life and property
that is associated with flooding events. Education and prevention are valuable and
proven tools that help communities become resistant to these natural disasters.
The City of Wetumpka recognizes there are potential flooding hazards, in the River Region.
The following information has been provided as a public service.
(click on any of the following links for further information)
Elmore County Emergency Management / Homeland Security
Keith Barnett, Director
8917 US Highway 231
Wetumpka, Alabama 36092
Tel: (334) 567-6451
http://elmorecoema.com/
Flood Hazard
The City of Wetumpka is located south of the Lake Jordan dam in the
Coosa River chain. The Coosa runs through the heart of our city. The potential
for river area flooding may occur because of heavy rains that occur north
of Wetumpka. The primary flooding hazards for our area are usually due to
flash flooding which usually occurs because of severe thunderstorms,
or hurricanes.
It is very important that our citizens refrain from sweeping leaves or
causing grass clippings from mowing to be ejected onto the streets or into
the gutters. Leaves, grass clippings and other debris that end up in the gutters,
may cause storm water inlets to clog, and cause flooding in the streets.
Nation Weather Service River Flood Warnings
http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Flood%20Advisory
Coosa River at Wetumpka : http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=02411600
Real Time Data for Alabama Waterways : http://waterdata.usgs.gov/AL/nwis/current/?type=flow
Coosa River Forecast : http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=bmx&gage=weta1&view=1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1%22
River Flood Outlook : http://weather.hamweather.com/rivers/gauge/WETA1.html
Flash Floods
Flash flooding occurs when heavy heavy rains fall in a short period of time. Rapidly rising water in a low area or near a drainage ditch or small stream can be deadly. The dangers should not be underestimated. Never allow children to play near a swollen drainage ditch or small stream. Never cross flooded roadways or bridges...moving water is a very powerful force.
7 Day National Weather Service Forecast for Wetumpka
Cell Phone Access to Weather Alerts
http://www.srh.noaa.gov/cte.htm
NOAA Weather Frequencies
If you have a scanner you can use the following frequencies to listen to weather forecast, alerts, updates, and warnings. 162.400, 162.425, 162.450, 162.475, 162.500, 162.525, 162.550.
Drainage System Maintainance
Ordinace 92-3, Section 62-9. Depositing garbage in streams, sewers
and similiar places.
It shall be unlawful for any person to sweep, throw, deposit or cause to
be swept, thrown or deposited into or on any canal, stream, public water drain,
sewer or recieving basin within the city, any garbage, rubbish or other refuse
or to permit such materials to accumulate in such a manner that it may be
carried and deposited into or on any of such place by action of rain, wind and or snow.
Storm Water and Drainage Maintenance Uniform Maintenace Proceedures
Objectives
To insure that all storm water drainage ditches are maintained and
inspected per schedule.Maintenance and inspection records are kept up to date.
Responsibilities
1. The Director of Public works will be responsible for administering
maintenance procedures. The Director shall inspect all storm water
and drainage ditches, to insure optimum flow.
2. Maintenance that involves state or county lands / properties shall be coordinated
with the appropriate persons and / or agencies.
3. City of Wetumpka personnel shall not maintain ditches located on private lands, unless an easement has been
granted. If an easement has been granted, the City of Wetumpka personnel shall not enter said easement,
except to inspect or perform scheduled maintenance.
Jurisdiction
1. Uniform maintenance procedures and inspections apply to the following types of ditches.
a. Open Ditches
b. Concrete Ditches
c. Culverts
Inspection
1. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee shall inspect all drainage once every two months.
a. If problems are noted during inspections, the drainage ditch must be inspected upon
completion of work, noting the time, dates, and action taken.
2. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee, shall inspect all ditches after each storm, to insure
that debris is removed before another storm.
3. The Director of Public Works or his/her designee, shall inspect all complaints submitted by residents or Health
Inspector, or other public office.
4. If problems are noted during an inspection, the inspector shall describe the problem on the drainage ditch
inspection log, and follow upto insure corrections are made.
a. The person inspecting the ditch shall note on the form describing the ditch, problems noticed
and other pertinent information.
b. The Director of Public Works will be responsible for designating a crew to make
needed corrections in a timely manner. If a problem is located on private property,
of other public entity, a copy of report shall be forwarded to the proper authority.
c. The supervisor of the work crew will be responsible for recording work
performed on the drainage ditch where work was assigned.
d. The drainage ditch log shall be reviewed by Director or his designee at the end of every month.
Maintenance
Typical maintenance and maintenance problems are:
1. Clearing vegetation by means of weedeater, or mowing equipment such as a bush hog.
2. Naturally occurring debris such as fallen trees, logs and limbs.
3. Animal obstructions such as beaver dams.
4. Trash, tires, appliances, furniture, or other items discarded.
5. Obstructions in culverts, blocking the flow of water through the drainage ditch.
Floodplain Development Permit Requirements
Section 46 of Wetumpka Code.pdf You will need Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view or print these files.
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The International Building Code Manual, Chapter 7, section 700.
700.1 Selection, states, " The authority having jurisdiction shall select and adopt a regulatory floodway as defined in 202, based on the authority specifired in 101.3.
701.1 Provisions, states, "no encroachments, including fill, new construction, substantial improvments and other development or land disturbing activity shall be permitted within a floodway unless certification, along with supporting technical data, is provided by a registered engineer demonstrating that such development will not cause any increase in flood levels during the occurance of the base flood discharge.
Wetumpka Building Department is located at 408 South Main Street.
The phone number is 334-567-1303. Building Department E-Mail address is scarter@cityofwetumpka.com.
For more information concerning Building Code, see Building Department under the heading City Departments.
Elevation Certificates
Copies of elevation certificates may be obtained at the Building Department located at Wetumpka City Hall. 334-567-1303
Flood Safety
1. Learn the safest route from your home or business to higher ground, but stay tuned
to reports of changing flood conditions.
2. If emergency officials tell you to evacuate or leave your home, go immediately to a
safer shelter, hotel or relatives house.
3. Turn off all utilities, gas, and electricity, at the main switch. Stay away from power
lines. Be alert for possible gas leaks.
4. Do not walk through flowing water. Drowning is the number one cause of flood related
deaths. Currents can be deceptive; six inches of moving water can knock you off your feet.
5. Do not drive through a flodded area. More people drown in thier vehicles than in any
other location. SUV's and pick-up trucks are not safer than other
vehicles when attempting to cross flooded roads.
Flood Insurance
For more information about flood insurance contact : http://www.fema.gov
Important Useful Websites
http://www.fema.gov/
http://www.usgs.gov/
http://www.noaa.gov/
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/
http://www.floods.org/
http://www.weather.gov/
Flood Map
FEMA issued flood maps http://msc.fema.gov/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&userType=G
Property Protection
If you live in a flood prone area you may want to consider altering your building to help prevent
or reduce damage.
1. Elevating the building so that flood waters do not enter or reach any damageable portion of it.
2. Constructing barriers out of fill or concrete between the building and flood waters.
3. "Dry floodproofing" to make the building walls and floors watertight so water does not enter,
4. "Wet floodproofing" to modify the structure and relocate the contents so that when flood waters
enter the building there is little or no damage.
5. Preventing basement flooding from sewer backup or sump pump failure.
For more information, contact Stacey Carter at 334-567-1303. Visit the building department website listed under City Departments
Flood Damage Prevention
Ordinance NO. 2012-12
Ordinance 2012-12 You will need Adobe Acrobat Viewer to view or print these files.
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