What they are:  FEMA provides low-cost flood insurance in participating communities throughout the country.  FEMA commissions modeling and mapping of flood-hazard areas for major storms:  100-year storms have a one percent chance of occurrence each year.

How this data may be used:  FEMA-mapped floodplains represent areas most likely to flood during the most severe storms.  Flood insurance rates paid by property owners are based on risk levels as determined by property location relative to floodplains and floodways.  It is wise to restrict development in these areas to reduce the risk of flood damage and to preserve flood-storage capacity.  Communities are required to develop at least minimal standards for development in floodplains and floodways and may restrict development there to minimize safety hazards and preserve flood-storage capacity.

Data sources/development:  The flood boundaries (lateral extent of the flood event) and floodways (extent of flood channels) were digitized from paper maps and photocopies of FEMA mapping for Medina County and the incorporated areas.  The original maps were at scales ranging from one inch equals 400 feet to one inch equals 1,000 feet.

Limitations/comments:  These maps reflect flood modeling for the date of the map.  Development in the floodplain or watershed may change flooding characteristics.  The FEMA map is a modest representation of where flooding is likely to occur.  The digital mapping is slightly less accurate than the original paper mapping due to the use of photocopied maps as a source.  Flooding is likely to occur in riparian corridors adjacent to watercourses.

Mapping summary/comments:  Several substantial 100-year FEMA floodplains occur in the southern portion of the county and along major watercourses.  However, many of the County’s watercourses appear not to have been studied by FEMA.

Source: Medina County Natural Resource Mapping Project Summary Report, Medina County Park District, 2002.