The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) have received two applications for Federal grant funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Funding for this grant was made available after the 4241 Presidential declaration was made regarding the flood of October 2015. This historic flooding event affected the entire state of South Carolina from October 1st until the 5th. A stalled front offshore combined with deep tropical moisture streaming northwest into the area ahead of a strong upper level low pressure system to the west and Hurricane Joaquin well to the east. This combination led to catastrophic flooding and property damage in the City of Sumter.
A number of properties located in a floodplain were severely damaged and have chosen to participate in a project that will remove the damaged properties. For the proposed applications, the voluntary acquisition of existing flood-prone structures and the underlying land will be conducted and the land will be converted to open space through the demolition of the structure. The property must be deed-restricted in perpetuity to open space uses to restore and/or conserve the natural floodplain functions- Per 2015 HMA Guidance pg 45 E.1.1. and 44 CFR Part 80.
Up to 26 properties in the City of Sumter may be participating in this application and may be acquired/demolished:
Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, state, tribal, and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements, and conditions.
These properties are located in a Special Flood Hazard Zone, as indicated in the obtained FIRM maps. Therefore this project may affect the wetlands or floodplains in the proposed areas. Because of this, alternatives have been considered:
The elevation of the first floor of the structure elevation using an elevated foundation to meet the Base Flood Elevation. Elevations were considered during the consideration for this project, but elevation of the structure, if it was feasible, would have left the homes in danger of other hazards, and not completely eliminated the risk of future flood claims. It was also the wish of the homeowners to be included in a voluntary acquisition.
The City of Sumter will be responsible for the implementation and monitoring of the project. For more information, or to comment on the proposed action, please contact Helen Roodman at (803)774-1636 by 30 days from the date of publication of this notice.
For more information on the FEMA HMGP program, visit https://www.fema.gov/hazard-mitigation-grant-program.
