Floods and FEMA

LOMRs: Visit our Proposed Map Revisions page for pending LOMRs.

Know Your Flood Hazard: Explore our webpages for more information on Floods and Flood Insurance.

• Visit our Web Map at https://maps.urbandale.org/fema/ to look up your address and view the current Flood Insurance Rate Map for Urbandale, including Special Flood Hazard Areas and existing Letters of Map Amendment.  
• Visit our FIRM Maps webpage to learn more about the recent update to the flood mapping in Urbandale.  Older FIRMS and Flood Insurance Studies are available from our office upon request.
• Read our Urbandale Flood Information Brochure
• If you think you may qualify for a LOMA-OAS, visit LOMA-OAS for detailed instructions on how to apply.
• Urbandale is a part of the Walnut Creek and Beaver Creek watersheds.  View our Urbandale Watersheds map to see your local creek.

Flood Insurance Information:  Did you know that most homeowners’ insurance polices do not cover flood related damage?  Urbandale is a member of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), so you can talk with your licensed insurance agent about purchasing flood insurance.

• It typically takes 30 days from the day you purchase flood insurance for the policy to go into effect, so when purchasing a policy, ask your agent when coverage will start.
• The City of Urbandale has earned a Community Rating System Class 7 (Spring 2020).  This means that the City of Urbandale has gone above and beyond the basic requirements to be part of FEMA and provided additional protections and services to our residents.  Contact your insurance agent to see if your policy qualifies for a premium discount based on our CRS class.
• You may be required to purchase flood insurance if you have a federally-backed mortgage.  View our informational handout on mandatory insurance.
• Discuss with your licensed insurance agent about what is and isn’t covered by your policy. Contents are not covered by a building/structure flood policy.  Visit the National Flood Insurance Program Summary of Coverage for more information.
• FIRM Information  Our office is willing to provide FIRM related information for completion of flood insurance information.  Please contact us at stormwater@urbandale.org or 515-278-3950 for more information.
• For more information, visit Floodsmart.gov

Flood Safety Information:  Learn what to do before, during and after a flood,

• Flood Preparation and Safety (English)
  
• Flood Preparation and Safety (Spanish)
• Remember: TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN.  A mere six inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult. And it only takes 12 to 18 inches of flowing water to carry away most vehicles including large SUVs. If you come to an area that is covered with water, you will likely not know the depth of the water or the condition of the ground under the water. This is especially true at night, when your vision is more limited. Play it smart, play it safe. 
• View real-time data from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on nearby creek water levels.
  • Walnut Creek River Gage, 63rd Street in Des Moines
  • Beaver Creek River Gage, NW 70th Street in Grimes

Build Responsibly:  All development, construction, or grading in the floodplain requires a local permit, in addition to any required state or federal permits.  Please contact our Community Development office at 515-278-3935, or visit us at 3600 86th Street, for more information, or to report concerns about development in the floodplain.

• All work on a property that touches the 100-year SFHA requires a Local Floodplain Permit.  Urbandale Flood Plain permit.  If you are not touching the floodplain with your work, this permit is used to document that your project does not impact the floodplain.  There is no charge for this permit.
• View our current Floodplain Management District City Ordinances in City Code Section 160 Zoning.
• No use or structure shall be permitted in the Floodway District that would result in any increase in the base flood elevation.
• New structures or substantial improvements in the Floodway Fringe must have a minimum floor elevation at least one foot above the base food elevation.
• You may also contact our offices to see if an existing building has a current Elevation Certificate; this information is available free of charge.

Protect Existing Floodplain:  The floodplain is the area next to creeks which becomes inundated in a large rain or flooding event.  The floodplain is essential to maintaining the natural flow of water.  By designating and protecting these natural floodplain areas, we can maintain our natural waterways and ecosystems and help protect adjacent properties.  Please contact our offices at 515-278-3950 or stormwater@urbandale.org if you see concerns within creeks or floodplains.