Protect People From Flooding:
- Evacuate the area immediately. Never drive around barricades, and local responders use them to safely direct traffic out of flooded areas.
- Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alert systems for current emergency information and instructions.
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through floodwaters. Turn-Around. Don’t Drown!
- Stay off bridges over fast-moving water. Fast-moving water can wash bridges away without warning.
- Stay inside your car if it is trapped in rapidly moving water. Get on the roof if water is rising inside the vehicle.
- Get to the highest level if trapped in a building. Only get on the roof if necessary and once there signal for help. Do not climb into a closed attic to avoid getting trapped by rising floodwater.
- Designate a place where your family can rendezvous after an evacuation order is issued.
Protect Property from Flooding:
Losses due to floods can be reduced by implementing property protection measures. Furniture, appliances, clothing, and other movable items can be elevated within the structure or relocated away from potential flooding if time permits. You should also make an itemized inventory of your belongings, including costs, dates of purchase, and serial numbers.
There are several ways to protect a building from flood damage if feasible. One way is to make sure your lot is graded in a manner that will direct runoff away from your building. Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways. This method is not recommended if water will rise to a depth of two feet or greater. A third approach is to raise the house above flood levels. Before making these modifications, consult with a certified contractor.
Build Responsibly:
Strict regulations govern substantial improvements to structures in the flood plain. According to NFIP, “substantial improvement” means the cost of any repair, reconstruction, or improvement of a structure that equals or exceeds 50 percent of the market value of the structure either before the improvement is started or if the structure has been damaged and is being restored.
Please be advised that any new development or improvement on a property will be subject to current Town regulations and may also be subject to County, State, and Federal regulations.
Accessory structures such as decks, gazebos, and sheds are prohibited within the SFHA without first obtaining a building permit demonstrating they are provided with appropriate anchoring.
Activities in and around the SFHA are regulated by the Town of Vienna Zoning Ordinance Chapter 18.1.
Protect Natural Floodplain Functions:
Floodplain and wetland areas buffer flood flows, remove pollutants from our surface waters, recharge groundwater and create diverse habitats for plants and animals. Keeping the sites free of trash and yard waste such as leaves, grass clippings, and pruned vegetation debris is essential.
