Floodplain Management

Floodplain Overview

The City of Cleburne participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). As a participating community, the City has adopted a Floodplain Management Ordinance  that limits the development allowed in 100-year floodplains (the area inundated by a storm that has a 1% chance of happening in any year). For property with any portion located within the 100-year floodplain, regardless of structure location, a flood insurance policy may be required by mortgage companies.

The City of Cleburne standards require all new structures be constructed two feet above the existing water surface elevation of the 100-year floodplain, or one foot above the "ultimate" water surface elevation. When developing along a major creek within the City of Cleburne, the developer must submit a Flood Study to the city showing the 100-year floodplain and water surface elevation based on both current land-use and future land-use assumptions. [See Building in the Floodplain for more information.]

A Floodplain Development Permit is required to build in the floodplain. Our Floodplain Development Permit Application can be found Here.

Community Rating System (CRS)

The City of Cleburne participates in the Community Rating System (CRS). The CRS is a subset of the NFIP. It is a voluntary incentive program, which recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities which exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.

As a result, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community’s actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:

• Reduce flood losses,
• Facilitate accurate insurance rating, and
• Promote the awareness of flood insurance

Community participation in the CRS is in addition to participation in the NFIP. Participation in the NFIP does not automatically include participation in the CRS. The City of Cleburne currently has a CRS rating of 9 and is actively working to improve that score.

Public Information and Flood Information Assistance

The City’s Engineering Services Department provides a comprehensive flood information program that is available to the public. Residents may obtain flood risk information including: basic map information, copies of Elevation Certificates when available, floodway information, depth of flooding information, lowest floor elevations, historical flood data, information on areas that flood outside of the designated Special Flood Hazard Area, erosion set-back areas, the natural functions of the Special Flood Hazard Areas, and other flood related information by visiting the City Engineering Services Department and meeting with a department representative in person, by phone, or by accessing the City’s website online.

Want to know the flood zone of your property to determine your flood risk? The City provides a map information service enabling all residents to determine the flood zone of a specific property.  Paper copies of the City’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) are available for viewing at the City’s Planning and Development Center. A link to view current FlRM Panels can be found on the Flood Map Service Center web page.  Additional assistance regarding flooding and flood protection may be found at https://www.floodsmart.gov.

The City Engineering Services Department can also assist residents in non-technical review of individual properties when requested, and the City Building Inspections Department can provide guidance on floodproofing, and other mitigation techniques used to help reduce flooding. Visit Cleburne City Hall or request a visit by City staff of the actual property to assess the situation in person.

Please feel free to contact the City of Cleburne Engineering Services and/or Public Works Department at City Hall located at 10 N. Robinson Street or contact us by phone at (817) 556-8869.

Letters of Map Revisions (LOMR)

The delineation of the floodplain limits can change. If a developer wishes to alter and/or fill a portion of the floodplain, they must prepare a Flood Study showing no adverse effects or substantial changes in the water surface elevation. This flood study, along with a detailed application, may be submitted to FEMA to be considered for a Letter of Map Revisions (LOMR). If approved, the LOMR serves as an official revision to the FIRM. Individual property owners may also contest the floodplain designation for their property by submitting information to FEMA for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA).

 Many Letters of Map Change may be obtained online from the Flood Map Service Center web page.