Since 1981, the City of Prattville has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Flooding hazards exist in areas adjacent to Prattville’s major watercourses such as the Alabama River, Autauga Creek, Fay Branch, Noland Creek, and Pine Creek, as well as their smaller tributaries. This page provides information concerning the flood hazards associated with Prattville’s drainage ways, the city’s floodplain management program, and actions you can take to protect your life and property.
Flood Hazard Areas
The 100-year floodplain or Special Flood Hazard Area is an area defined by FEMA that has a 1% chance in any given year of being flooded. Smaller floods have a greater chance of occurring in any year and present a significant flood hazard to a property near the stream's channel. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) defining the floodplain are available for inspection in the Prattville Planning Department. The information available may also include the depth of flooding above a building’s first floor, past flood events in the area, and copies of elevation certificates on buildings in the floodplain built since 1987.
Development in Floodplain
Most development in the Special Flood Hazard Area requires a Floodplain Development Permit from the City of Prattville. Types of development requiring a permit include:
- New residential construction or manufactured home installation.
- New commercial or industrial construction.
- Installation or replacement of electrical, gas, and heating and air appliances.
- Substantial improvement of an existing structure. Substantially improved residential structures must be elevated to at least one foot above the base flood elevation. Commercial property may be flood-proofed or elevated to the one foot above base flood elevation.
- Alterations to the natural terrain including filling or excavating and any modifications to drainage way or stream.
Please consult the Planning Department or the city’s Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance for complete information regarding development in the Special Flood Hazard Area.
Improper or unpermitted development in the floodplain should be reported to Planning Department immediately. Improper modifications or development in the floodplain may result in additional flooding hazards and property damage
Contact:
City Hall Annex
- 102 West Main Street Prattville, AL 36067
Hours:
- 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Flood Safety Tips and Resources
Flood Insurance:
Homeowner's insurance policies do not cover losses due to flooding. Prattville’s participation in the National Flood Insurance Program makes flood insurance available for any homeowner or renter in the city or county. Information about flood insurance may be obtained from your local insurance agent, by visiting www.floodsmart.gov, or by contacting the Planning Department. You do not have to live in a designated or regulated flood zone to purchase flood insurance. A thirty (30) day waiting period exist before a new flood insurance policy goes into effect. No flood losses will be covered during the waiting period.
Flood Safety:
The Alabama Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service have developed a flood warning system. Warnings will be disseminated by radio, TV, and weather radio. The flood warning system is intended to provide up to one-hour advance warning of a flood hazard. FLASH FLOOD WATCH means the conditions are favorable for flash flooding in the watch area. FLASH FLOOD WARNING means that flash flooding is imminent or has been reported in the warning area. Learn more about flood safety by visiting ready.gov/floods.
Additional Resources:
- FEMA Flood Map Service Center (The official source for FEMA flood maps)
- Guidelines and Standards for Flood Risk Analysis and Mapping
- Risk MAP Program
- Floodplain Management
- Using Flood Risk Products in Hazard Mitigation Plans
