Schoharie County’s highest risk from natural disaster is flooding. The Office of Emergency Services wants to ensure that all our citizens, businesses and visitors are fully aware of the hazards related to flooding and what can be done to ensure your safety. Please take some time to read through these topics and reach out to your floodplain administrator, or our office with questions.
Know Your Risk
What is the history of flooding in Schoharie County? Do you know how your property is affected by flooding? What does “100-year Floodplain” really mean? Who is responsible for maintaining the streams? Are streams the only thing that cause flooding? The information on this page will help you identify your risk, and understand what it all means.
Insure Your Property
Do you know how to get flood insurance and what it covers you against? Did you know that if you collected any money from FEMA, you are required to have flood insurance or you do not qualify for future FEMA assistance? Did you know that you can purchase flood insurance even if you don’t live in the 100 Year Floodplain (1% Annual Chance of Flooding)? The information on this page will help you understand the importance of flood insurance and provide links to help you find an agent.
Do 1 Thing
DO 1 THING is a program that makes it easy for you to prepare yourself, your family, and your community for emergencies or disasters. Being prepared for disasters and emergencies can seem like a big job. Many people don’t know where to start, so they never start at all. The Do 1 Thing program can help you take small steps each month to become better prepared.
After the Flood
If you’ve experienced a flood, you know how much damage it can cause. This page will provide information on flooding damage and what to do, as well as mitigation strategies used to prevent damage in the future. We also explain what substantial damage is, and NFIP’s Increased Cost of Compliance as well as other terms used and programs available to help.
Build Responsibly
Did you know that there are special regulations for development in a special flood hazard area? What exactly is “development”? Did you know that any changes to the floodplain has an effect on property upstream and downstream? You should meet with your Building Code Enforcement Officer (who is also the Floodplain Administrator) to discuss your plans and obtain guidance. Failure to do so could cause your flood insurance rates to increase drastically if regulations aren’t followed!
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions
Did you know that you shouldn’t dump leaves and other yard waste into streams? Should you remove stumps on the stream embankment or leave them? Why can’t we just dredge the creek so it works better? This page will explain the natural floodplain functions and best practices for maintaining embankments, property and streams.
Flood Publications
Publications on Flooding, Protecting Your Home, National Flood Insurance Policy, Increased Cost of Compliance, Natural Floodplain Functions, and more!
Program Specific Contact Information
Evacuation Assistance Registry, Cell Phone Registration, FEMA Map Service, List of Local Building Code Enforcement Officials, Schoharie County Offices that offer Assistance, Flood Warning Siren Information and much more!