EXEMPLARY PRACTICES IN EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
Floodplain Management Program
Program Description: After a severe flood in 1990, South Holland formed a Flood Liaison Committee that enabled residents and village staff to work together. The committee initiated several programs, including a study of flood control alternatives, a very successful floodproofing open house, and membership in the Community Rating System (CRS). After determining that a short-term structural project was unfeasible, the Flood Liaison Committee developed a comprehensive floodplain management plan. Completed in 1994, the plan recommended 37 action items, such as small flood-control projects, revisions of the flood response plan, improved regulatory standards, channel cleaning projects, and preparations for postflood recovery and mitigation operations. The largest recommended project was the creation of the Flood Assistance Program, which provides various public information activities as well as technical assistance to property owners. One hundred thousand dollars has been apportioned for rebates to landowners who install approved floodproofing measures. There were 112 rebates issued at a cost of $69,875 to the village of South Holland.
South Holland is involving other partners in its search for a coordinated, comprehensive approach to its flood problems. In order to implement various projects recommended within the plan, village staff are working with the Army Corps of Engineers, the Soil and Water Conservation District, the National Weather Service, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
An AmeriCorps team has conducted a channel clearing project. The team is also coordinating with emergency managers in other communities located on the watershed in order to establish an early warning system.
Evaluation Information: The program received the Mitigation Award from the Illinois Association for Floodplain and Storm Water Management; it also received the best classification of any community in Illinois in FEMA's CRS. The residents of the village have responded very positively.
Annual Budget: $250,000.
Sources of Funding: Municipal general funds.
Program Type: Floodplain management program.
Target Population: Approximately 5,000 residents.
Setting: Riverine floodplain, which is primarily a residential area.
Project Startup Date: 1991.
Contact:
Fred Paul Block
Flood Assistance Coordinator
Village of South Holland
16226 Wausau Avenue
South Holland, IL 60473
Tel: 708-210-2915
Fax: 708-210-1019
Last Modified: Thursday, 30-Mar-2006 10:23:20 EST