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Floodplain

National Flood Insurance Program

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federal government program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It aims to reduce the impact of flooding on private and public structures by providing affordable insurance to property owners and by encouraging communities to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations.

USGS Water Data for the Nation: Chester Creek near Chester, PA

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) collects water data at monitoring locations across the United States using automated sensors and manual data collection. Each monitoring location has location information that details the location name and identifier, the agency responsible for data collection, and geographic information about the location. Most monitoring locations have data available in one or more of the following categories of water data: continuous data, daily data, field measurements, and discrete sample data. Chester Creek near Chester, PA – USGS Water Data for the Nation will display information on water data for Chester Creek near Chester, PA.

Flood Hazard Information for Residents and Businesses of Brookhaven

Community Flood Information

The Borough of Brookhaven is situated between Chester Creek to the west and Ridley Creek to the east. Over the years, creeks and storm drainage pipes have seen flooding to varying degrees which has impacted both private property as well as public infrastructure such as downed telephone lines, power failures, and closed roads and bridges. There are a few isolated areas in the borough that have been subject to localized flooding and storm water back-ups.

Are you in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA or aka 100-year floodplain)?

The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is defined by FEMA as the land area covered by the floodwaters of the base flood on NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) maps. In Brookhaven, the SFHA includes, but is not limited to, Zones A, A1-30, and AE.

If you live near an existing creek or drainage ditch and you currently do not have flood insurance, you should check to see if your house and/or property are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). If you are considering buying a home, renovating your existing home, or doing improvements to your property, you should check to see if your home and/or property is located in a SFHA. Existing structures or proposed construction or substantial improvements can be checked to see if they are located within the SFHA by reviewing FIRM maps online on FEMA’s website, ‘Flood Map Service Center‘ or by calling the Borough of Brookhaven at 610-874-2557 and ask for the Code Office. Elevation certificates are available, if on file.

Insure your property against flood hazards

Your homeowner’s insurance policy does NOT cover losses due to flooding. Brookhaven Borough participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and flood insurance is available for almost all enclosed building and its contents. Maintaining flood insurance coverage for buildings is strongly recommended since properties located in a SFHA have a 26% chance of experiencing a flood during the life of a 30-year mortgage. This means that it is about five times more likely to get damage by flood than by a severe fire. Homes and businesses located in high-risk flood areas with mortgages from federally regulated or insured lenders are required to have flood insurance.

Approved elevation certificates may help in reducing your flood insurance premium. Elevation certificates are required to ensure that construction or substantial improvements in the SFHA will comply with Borough ordinances. Elevation certificates are available, if on file. The Borough of Brookhaven cannot warranty or guarantee any elevation certificates or the information contained therein that were prepared by others.

Protect yourself and your loved ones during a flood hazard

The best way to protect yourself and those you care about from floods is through preparedness. Before a flood occurs, create a family disaster plan and a family disaster supply kit. Learn more from Ready.gov, a National public service campaign launched in February 2003 and designed to educate and empower the American people to prepare for, respond to, and mitigate emergencies and disasters. The goal of the campaign is to promote preparedness through public involvement.

If you are in a car or need to evacuate your residence during a flood, please take the following minimum precautions:

  • Avoid driving through flood-covered roads since it is difficult to judge water depth or road damage below the water’s surface.
  • Avoid touching or swallowing flood water as it may be contaminated.
  • Stay away from downed wires as they can be extremely dangerous.

If indoors during a flood, please take the following minimum precautions:

  • Stay tuned to radio or TV to get the latest emergency information.
  • Keep a battery-operated radio or TV in case of power outages.
  • Evacuate your home if asked to do so.

If outdoors during a flood, please take the following minimum precautions:

  • Move to high ground.
  • Stay clear of flood waters.
  • Avoid touching or swallowing flood water as it may be contaminated.
  • Stay away from downed wires as they can be extremely dangerous.
  • Do not try to walk through moving water since the surface is slippery and as little as 6 inches of water can knock you off your feet.
Protect your property during a flood hazard

Aside from a major retrofit as raising your house above the 100-year floodplain elevation, there are minor things you can do to reduce damage, such as but not limited to:

  • Raise electrical outlets, switches, junction boxes, at least one foot above the 100-year floodplain elevation.
  • Raise your heater, hot water heater, and any other mechanical or electrical equipment at least one foot above the 100-year footplain elevation.
  • Install a back-flow preventer on your sanitary lateral to prevent sewage back-ups.
  • Raise and anchor outdoor equipment and items to prevent them from getting washed downstream.
Build Responsibly

Check with the Building Department before you build, alter, regrade or fill your property. A permit is needed to ensure that your project is compliant with all regulations. These regulations are designed to protect your property from flood damage and to make sure you don’t cause a drainage problem for your neighbors. To find out how to get a permit, contact the Borough Code Official.

In the event that your building is damaged from a flood, please note that the NFIP requires that if the cumulative cost of the improvements to a building equals or exceeds 50% of the buildings market value, then the building must meet the same construction requirements as new construction.

Protect our creeks and drainage systems

Do not dump debris or place fill, sheds, structures in the floodway or storm drainage systems. Structures and fill reduce flood carrying capacity and increases flood hazards. Debris or improperly anchored equipment or structures can become detached and carried downstream by floodwater and potentially block downstream channels and culverts.

Don’t pour oil grease, pesticides, or other pollutants down storm drains, ditches, or streams. If you see someone placing fill or building materials in an area that is probably a floodplain, you should contact the Borough. Anonymous reports will be accepted.

Flood Protection Assistance

The Borough can provide direction on determining if you are in a floodplain area and the required permits needed for building, altering, regrading, or filling in the SFHA. Please call the Borough of Brookhaven at 610-874-2557 and ask for the Code Office.

We urge you to inquire about flood insurance coverage from your insurance agent.