National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The Town of Slaughter Beach participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which was created by Congress in 1968 to provide affordable flood insurance for properties in flood-prone areas. As a participating community, the Town has agreed to adopt and enforce a “Flood Zone Ordinance” which requires certain construction standards be employed for all new or “substantially improved” construction within the Town.
The construction measures that are required depend upon the type of flood zone in which the property is located. Examples of typical construction requirements are: elevation of the structure and equipment above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), construction of “break-away” walls, and installation of flood vents in exterior walls.
The ordinance applies to all property owners, regardless of whether they have flood insurance or not.
The ordinance may be viewed by using the links below:
Flood Damage Reduction Ordinance
Further information regarding the NFIP as well as emergency preparedness and response may be found at the following web locations:
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
FEMA NFIP Information
FEMA Flood Plan
FEMA Response & Recovery
FEMA Map Service Center
Reducing Flood Risk and Flood Insurance Premiums for Existing Residential Buildings in Zone A
FEMA guidance on building along the coast
Delaware Emergency Management Agency
Flood Zone Ordinance Review, Approval and Inspection
Through an agreement with Sussex County, the Town’s Flood Zone Ordinance is administered by the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Department. Plans for all construction in the Town that requires compliance with the Flood Zone Ordinance must be reviewed and approved by Sussex County personnel. Additionally, during and at completion of construction, Sussex County personnel will inspect the construction for compliance with the ordinance.
For further information, contact:
Jeff Shockley, Environmental & Floodplain Manager
Phone: (302) 855-7884
email: jcshockley@sussexcountyde.gov
Sussex County Flood Plain
