Frequently Asked Questions: Floodways

Question:
What is a floodway? What if a home or structure located in the floodway is damaged?

Answer:
Rivers and streams where FEMA has prepared detailed engineering studies may have designated floodways. For most waterways, the floodway is where the water is likely to be deepest and fastest. It is the area of the floodplain that should be reserved (kept free of obstructions) to allow floodwaters to move downstream. Placing fill or buildings in a floodway may block the flow of water and increase flood heights. Because of this, your community will require that you submit engineering analyses before it approves permits for development in the floodway.

If your home is already in the floodway, you may want to consider what you will do if it is damaged. If it is substantially damaged in a flood, or by any other means, (the costs to repair equal or exceed 50% of the market value of the building) your community, in accordance with National Flood Insurance Program regulations, will require that you bring it into compliance. In most cases, this means you will have to elevate the structure above the Base Flood Elevation. Because placing fill dirt in the floodway can make flooding worse, you'll probably have to elevate your structure on columns, pilings, or raised foundation walls. If your land is large enough to have a site outside of the floodway or even out of the floodplain, you may want to think about moving your home to a safer location.

Need additional help? call 1-877-FEMA MAP  or  e-mail a Map Specialist.

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Last Modified: Wednesday, 05-Apr-2006 12:23:03 EDT