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Official Flood Information from
the City of Independence
From Kelly Passauer, Assistant to the City Manager
As of August 29th, 2007
This is official information provided by the City of Independence. This information will be updated as needed. Please check back often for updates.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE 100 YEAR FLOOD ZONE
The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. By participating we are able to receive both public and private sector benefits if a flood occurs. A requirement to participate in the program is that any new residential construction built in the 100 year flood plain must be elevated one foot above the base flood elevation. For those structures that were located in the flood plain prior to the City participating in the National Flood Insurance Program they are not required to meet the elevation requirement unless the structure is damaged and the cost to repair the structure is more than 50% of the market value. If your property was damaged and was located in the 100 year flood plain and you have not received a letter please call the Chief Building Inspector, Dale Rail, at (620) 332-2541.
There were 96 structures within the 100 year flood plain that received damage. FEMA has conducted Residential Substantial Damage Estimates for those structures. The City sent letters out this week to the affected property owners notifying them whether or not the cost to repair their structure exceeds 50% of the structure's market value. Structures that did receive over 50% damage must elevate their structure one foot above the base flood elevation if they wish to repair or rebuild their structure. A Certificate of Elevation from a licensed surveyor, architect or engineer must be submitted to the City prior to the issuance of a building permit. A building permit is required prior to making any repairs in any flood affected areas. The cost for the permit is $25, however, this payment is being covered by Westar.
If you disagree with the notice of determination of substantial or nonsubstantial damage you may submit an appeal to the Chief Building Inspector. Send your appeals to:
Dale Rail, Chief Building Inspector
City Hall
120 North 6th Street
Independence, KS 67301
If you have questions call Dale Rail at 332-2541.
BUY OUT OF FLOOD DAMAGED PROPERTIES
Property owners have been inquiring whether the City would be participating in a buy out program to obtain homes and other structures located in the 100 year flood plain. Under the buy out program the City has been advised that this is a voluntary program, however, there could be a substantial financial impact on the City. To inform you of the requirements for both the City and property owners we have requested Micky Davis conduct a public meeting at the Veteran's Room in the lower level of Memorial Hall located at Penn and Locust on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at 7 PM.
MOSQUITO CONTROL
Thank you to the City of Neodesha for sparying mosquitoes in Independence! The spraying has now ended.
Please continue to help control the mosquito population by dumping any items around your home containing standing water. City crews have been treating large pools of standing water in public rights-of-way around town.
ATTENTION CONTRACTORS
Contractors performing work in flood damaged areas will be required to register at City Hall. Please call 332-2500 for more information.
BEWARE OF UNSCRUPULOUS CONTRACTORS
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Get Everything In Writing -- And Signed By Both Parties -- And make sure you get copies of everything you sign. It's almost impossible to enforce an oral agreement.
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Get Financing On Your Own -- You should turn to a trusted source like a bank or credit union for financing, and loan checks should be made out to you. Do not let the home improvement contractor get your loan for you.
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Get References And Check Them -- If a contractor is unable to provide you with references of satisfied customers, don't use them.
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Make Sure Your Contractor is Registered and Licensed -- To check if a contractor is registered with the City call 332-2500. If the contractor is registered the City can provide you with more information about the contractor; such as whether they have liablity coverage, workmen's compensation, etc. Out of State contractors are also required to have a transient vendors license with the County, please call 330-1200 to ensure the contractor has a transient vendors license. If the contractor is not registered with the City then they cannot legally work in Independence.
VOLUNTEER HELP LINE
A volunteer help line has been established for residents who wish to volunteer their time and/or donate items. This help line is also available for those who are in need of volunteer assistance or items. The telephone number for the help line is 331-5115. You can also go to the volunteer center at 2700 West Main Street in Independence.
FEMA OFFICE
If you are a flood victim and have not filed your application through the FEMA website or through the toll-free FEMA hotline at 1-800-621-3362 you need to do so immediately. FEMA has set up an office in the lower floor at Memorial Hall in Independence Kansas. Memorial Hall is located at Penn and Locust Streets. They will be open from 9 AM to 6 PM, Monday through Friday excluding holidays. It is important that you register on-line or by phone prior to going to the FEMA office. When you register you will be given a claim number that you need to bring with you to the FEMA office. Please make sure the telephone number you leave on your application is a number you can be easily reached at. You may file your application on-line at this link: http://www.fema.gov/news/event.fema?id=8325.
TETANUS SHOTS
If you are involved in cleaning up any flood damaged property you will need a tetanus booster if you have not had one in the last five years. If you have questions you may contact the Montgomery County Health Department at (620) 251-4210 or 331-4300.
RETURN TO FLOOD DAMAGED HOMES
Be sure that you have a current tetanus shot before cleaning or salvaging items. Be extremely cautious when entering flood damaged buildings, there may be hidden damage, particularly in foundations. FEMA may require photos and documentation of items damaged or removed. If your utilities were disconnected, before utilities can be turned back on you will need to contact the Building Inspector at 332-2541 for an inspection. If the water was above the electrical outlets or if any electrical wiring was exposed to water then you will need to contact a licensed electrician prior to contacting the Building Inspector.
GAS SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
All gas appliances that were submerged will have to be replaced. Gas lines will have to be blown clean with air and pressure tested with 10 pounds of air pressure for 15 minutes. Call Building Inspector at 332-2541 for pressure test.
HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARDS RELATING TO CLEANING UP
- Make sure you have a current tetanus booster.
- Wear rubber boots, rubber gloves, goggles and a dust mask.
- Wash hands with soap and water before preparing or eating food and after handling contaminated articles.
- Anyone receiving a puncture wound or a cut while cleaning up should have a doctor determine whether a tetanus booster is necessary.
- If you have any cuts or sores which will be exposed to this water wash them thoroughly afterwards to control infection. If a wound develops redness, swelling, or drainage, seek immediate medical attention.
- Take things that were wet for two or more days outside. Things that stayed wet for two days have mold growing on them even if you can't see it. Take out stuff made of cloth, unless you can wash them in hot water. Also take out items that can't be cleaned easily (like leather, paper, wood and carpet). Use soapy water with a solution of 1/8 cup of unscented bleach in 2 gallons of water to clean mold and bacteria off hard surfaces (like floors, sinks, stoves, certain toys, countertops, flatware, plates and tools).
- Open windows and doors to get fresh air when you use bleach or to help air out your house.
- If the surface of an item is rough, scrub the surface with a stiff brush.
- Dry the item or leave it out to dry.
CLEANING BASEMENTS
Basements hit by floodwaters require disinfecting and cleaning. Don't remove water from the basement too quickly or the pressure from the saturated soil surrounding the basement may cause the walls to collapse. To help air out the basement, open windows and doors. Window exhaust fans can be helpful, but take care in selecting a place to put the fan to avoid risk of electrical shock. Also, make sure your tetanus booster is current before cleaning your basement.
DISPLACED PETS
If you find an abandoned animal please call AWOL at 331-7931, if no one answers leave a message and they will get back with you. You can also take them to AWOL at 116 S. 23rd Street, from 9:30 - 10:30 AM and 5:30 - 6:30 PM on weekdays and from 1:30 to 3 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
We will be providing additional advisories as circumstances change or if there is a need to provide other types of public information. You may also check CableOne's Channel 22 on the television for updates.
Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.
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