Flood Plain/Prevention Information

To help educate residents about the dangers of flooding and what they can do to mitigate flood hazards, the Village of Flossmoor has created an informational handbook. Some highlights from Flossmoor's Flood Information Handbook are below.

Property Protection

There are various actions that can be taken to help flood-proof a home. Electrical boxes, furnaces, water heaters, and washers/dryers should be elevated or relocated to a location less likely to be flooded. Basement floor drains and interior and exterior backwater valves can be installed, and interior flood walls can be placed around utilities.

Preparing for a Flood

If flooding is likely, and time permits, move essential items and furniture to upper floors of your home. Keep materials like sandbags, plywood, plastic sheets, and lumber handy for emergency waterproofing. These will help minimize the amount of damage caused by floodwater.

Sewage

Many houses, even those not in the flood hazard area, have sewers that can back up into the basement during heavy storms. A plug or a standpipe may prevent this if the water does not get more than 2 feet deep. For deeper sewer backup flooding, contact a plumber and ask about overhead sewers or a backup valve.

Additional Preparations

Other ways to keep water away include re-grading your lot, or building a small flood wall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is not in the floodway. The cost of material for an average size berm can range from $440 to $1,600.

Additionally, flood protection ideas and information can be obtained at the Flossmoor Public Library, Village Hall, and through the Flossmoor Building and Public Works Departments. Remember to please contact the Flossmoor Building Department to ascertain if a permit is required for your project.

Development Regulations

The Village of Flossmoor adopted the Floodplain and Stormwater Management Code in 1990. In general, the goals of this code include protecting residents and their property from flood hazards, complying with national regulations, and preserving the natural characteristics of the stream corridors.

Floodway & Flood Plain

The code specifies 2 types of flood hazard areas, the floodway and the floodplain. Land uses which have a low flood damage potential and do not restrict flood flows may be permitted in the floodway, provided they are not prohibited by ordinance. These uses do not include structures, fill, dumping of material or waste, or storage of materials or equipment. The most common permitted uses in the floodway are agricultural or recreational in nature, and include vegetated areas around residences.

Floodplain areas permit the same type of uses as the floodway. The construction of structures such as residences is also permitted, provided the lowest floor of any residential structure is no lower than 2 feet above the base flood elevation and compensatory storage is provided.

Contact Public Works

It is very important to contact the Flossmoor Public Works Department before proceeding with any work in flood hazard areas. This is necessary as development permits are required for any construction, and special permit provisions apply to work in a floodway or floodplain. Also, be sure to notify the Public Works Department if you notice any illegal floodplain development.