On everyone’s lips this week (click here) is some variant of the word “flood.” There is a palpable sense of loss as you drive through the areas impacted by last week’s unprecedented rain event. Just as homeowners in low-lying areas and along waterways felt the brunt of the floods, farmers with land, buildings and livestock in these areas suffered as well. Flooded farm fields, some still with standing water, are some of the most visible signs of the impacts of last week’s events.
As the waters recede, farmers are left to evaluate the extent of the damage. Crops completely submerged by water for prolonged periods are likely a complete loss. Even if flooding doesn’t kill a growing plant, excessive moisture can have a longer-term impact on crop quality and yield. Flooding depletes oxygen in the soil, which can cause root death. Rot and fungal diseases flourish in wet conditions and can negatively impact crop conditions. Flooding can also result in nutrient deficiencies in the soil, hampering plant growth. Just getting in the field to assess and address any of these issues is also made difficult by saturated soils. And when it finally comes to harvesting crops, mud and silt that has covered plant structures can make harvesting dustier than usual and harder on equipment....
July 20, 2017
By Ben Jordan
A Kenosha County family (click here for video - thank you) is worried they’ll lose the house they’ve lived in for decades after floods damaged much of their property.
It’s been one week since historic floods devastated communities in southeastern Wisconsin, and on Wednesday emergency managers went door-to-door to assess damage in Kenosha County....
If your property appears in a FEMA (click here) - designated flood zone, and you do not already have flood insurance, you should contact your insurance provider or call the National Flood Insurance Program's toll free number at 1-888-379-9531, or visit the following website for more information on flood insurance see FEMA’s Flood Insurance Program. Flood insurance is available for residents of the unincorporated area of Kenosha County and the incorporated areas that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program.
The National Flood Insurance Program's FloodSmart Campaign has been increasing public awareness about flood risks and the importance of flood insurance protection At Floodsmart, you can enter your property address and see just how much damage flooding can cause, assess their individual flood risk and learn more about the claims process.
To determine if your property is within the 100-year locally zoned floodplain you can use the Kenosha County Interactive mapping application. The 100-year floodplain boundary is the boundary of a flood that has a one-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. The zoning district applicable to the 100-year floodplain zoning is the FPO Floodplain Overlay District. The Kenosha County Department of Planning and Development does prepare formal floodplain determination letters for a fee. This letter includes both federal and local data in the determination. If you are interested in obtaining a formal floodplain determination letter, please contact a Land Use Specialist at (262) 857-1895.
NOTE: Kenosha County floodplain zoning maps were developed to reflect the best available data and which show the areas to be regulated. However it is recommended that the floodplain boundary on your property be field verified by a professional land surveyor.
