Floodplain Management

The City of Berea administers floodplain management in coordination with state and federal programs to reduce flood risk, protect property, and support compliance with applicable regulations.

Floodplain mapping and permitting help inform development decisions, minimize potential flood damage, and promote responsible development within regulated areas.

Check Your Flood Zone

To determine whether a property is located in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), residents may consult official flood maps.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) maintains national flood hazard mapping products, including Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which identify flood zones and floodway boundaries. The Kentucky Division of Water also provides an interactive Flood Hazard Map.

If you need assistance interpreting flood maps or determining whether a specific property is located in a flood zone, please contact the GIS Department.

Permit Requirements

Local Permits

A Local Floodplain Permit is required for certain types of development within regulated floodplain areas in the City of Berea.

Examples of activities that may require a permit include:

  • Construction or placement of buildings or accessory structures
  • Filling or grading within a designated floodplain
  • Stream crossings or channel alterations
  • Other development that may affect floodplain elevations or flow paths

A Local Floodplain Permit is required only when an Individual Floodplain Permit has first been issued by the Kentucky Division of Water. Projects covered under a state General Permit do not require a separate local permit.

State Permits

The Kentucky Division of Water administers floodplain permits under state law for development activities within floodplain areas, including structures, stream alterations, grading, and related work.

Some minor activities may qualify under a General Permit, while others require an Individual Permit prior to local review and approval.

For detailed state requirements and application materials, please refer to Kentucky Division of Water Floodplain Permits under 401 KAR 4:060.

Flood Zone Map Change Requests

If you believe your property has been incorrectly mapped within a Special Flood Hazard Area, you may pursue a formal map change through FEMA.

Types of FEMA Map Change Requests

Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)
Confirms that a property or structure is not located within the Special Flood Hazard Area based on natural ground elevation.

Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F)
Confirms removal from the floodplain based on engineered fill.

Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
Revises an effective flood map to reflect changes in floodplain boundaries, elevations, or floodway conditions.

These requests are submitted to FEMA using MT-1 or MT-2 forms and may require supporting documentation such as an elevation certificate.

Flood Insurance & Risk Awareness

Participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) makes federally backed flood insurance available to property owners, renters, and businesses.

Properties located in high-risk flood zones may be required by lenders to carry flood insurance. However, flood insurance is available for properties in all flood zones.

Flood maps are useful tools for understanding potential flood risk, but they do not guarantee that flooding will not occur outside mapped areas. For site-specific flood risk information, consult a licensed surveyor, engineer, or floodplain professional.

Helpful Resources

The following resources provide guidance on flood hazards, floodplain development requirements, and flood risk awareness for residents, property owners, and development professionals.

These materials support the City’s participation in the Community Rating System (CRS) and are intended to improve public understanding of flood risk.

Additional information and materials may be provided upon request. For site-specific questions or floodplain determinations, please contact the GIS Department. While the City provides local floodplain services, the following external resources may also be useful: