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Tom Kassmel
Town Engineer
970-479-2235
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Resources

Runoff and Flood Map

Eagle County Flood Information

National Flood Insurance Program

FEMA Flood Map Information

FEMA Flood Mapping Service Center

Local Monitoring Sites

National Weather Service River Watch

Vail 2010 Flood Assessment

FEMA Kids Flood Information

FEMA Public Assistance Program

Flood Preparedness

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As spring runoff approaches, the Town of Vail will establish two distribution points for free sand material and empty bags for residents and merchants who wish to safeguard their property from the possibility of high water. Sand and bags will be available at the parking lot near the I-70 interchange in East Vail and at the North Trail parking lot in West Vail. Residents should bring a shovel and be prepared to fill their own bags while supplies last. Contractors are asked to make their own arrangements for sandbags for commercial construction projects.

Spring run-off typically peaks between mid-May and mid-June, when streams reach their highest flow and height. Snow pack levels do not always provide a good indication as to whether or not a flooding event will occur as it did most recently in 2010, according to Tom Kassmel, the town’s floodplain administrator. He says the main contributing factor to a large scale run-off flood event is snowmelt rate. A cold, snowy spring with a quick warm up in late May and early June sets the stage for high flows.

For daily updates on stream flow data, visit the U.S. Geological Survey website. Gore Creek and other Eagle County river data are available by scrolling down to 14010003 Eagle.

Area streams most prone to flooding in Vail include: Black Gore Creek near The Heather and Gore Creek at the intersection of Bridge Road and Lupine Drive in East Vail; Mill Creek near Mill Creek Circle in Vail Village; and Red Sandstone Creek near the Brooktree Condominiums and Buffehr Creek from Circle Drive to the North Frontage Road in West Vail. As the weather warms, public safety crews will begin daily water level checks at approximately 90 locations throughout the town, including culverts, catch basins and bridges. Nightly checks are added to the rounds once the peak run-off season hits. Eagle River Water & Sanitation District crews also monitor rising river levels and large stream debris that could pose a hazard to aerial sewer main lines that cross the creek.

View an interactive map identifying the locations of sand distribution points, high-water checkpoints, historic flood areas, FEMA NFHL data, and more.

Additional flood prevention efforts will be taking place this spring when town crews sandbag some of the problem areas in advance of the snowmelt. Private property owners are being encouraged to do the same and to remove the sandbags once flood season ends. Citizens who observe large amounts of debris in the creeks near bridges or significant running water in unusual places are encouraged to call 911.

The Eagle County Office of Emergency Management is participating in weekly conference calls with the National Weather Service and Colorado Basin River Forecast Center to help forecast river levels and flooding potential. Information on flood preparedness efforts and sandbag availability throughout the county can be found at the Eagle County website.

Anyone wishing to volunteer for possible emergency sandbagging operations should contact the Vail Police Department at 479-2200 and register with the Community Emergency Response Team. Residents are asked to avoid getting near flooded areas or fast moving water without appropriate safety gear and training.

Residents are reminded of the importance of being prepared for any emergency by assembling a kit containing a three-day food and water supply, as well as medications, toiletries, pet supplies, flashlight, radio and extra batteries. Visit ready.gov for more recommendations on personal emergency preparedness.

To receive free emergency alerts on flooding and other hazards via email and/or text message, subscribe to the Eagle County Emergency Alert System. For information on sandbag materials in Vail, contact Vail Streets Superintendent Charlie Turnbull at 477-3425 or call his cell phone at 390-3008 in case of an emergency.

Flood FAQs

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

What is the "100-year flood"?
The term "100-year flood" is misleading. It is not the flood that will occur once every 100 years. Rather, it is the flood elevation that has a one percent chance of being equaled or exceeded each year. (It is more correctly termed the 1% Annual Chance Flood) Thus, the 100-year flood could occur more than once in a relatively short period of time. The 100-year flood is the standard used by most Federal and state agencies for floodplain management.
How can I determine if my property is in a floodplain?
Find out if you are currently paying flood insurance. Look at your bill or call your agent. Review the FEMA Map Service Center and find your property. Look for the shaded floodplain area. If it crosses your property or is close to your property, you may need to purchase flood insurance. Remember the town's maps are for preliminary reference only. A detailed survey of the individual property is the only way to determine whether a property is in the floodplain.
How are flood insurance requirements determined?
The difference between the lowest floor elevation (including basement) of your structure and the 1% Annual Chance Flood elevation (as outlined on a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map) is used to determine the insurance rating. Note: Only buildings are insurable, other structures are not.

Keep in mind that every property owner in Vail has the option to purchase flood insurance, regardless of the property's location.
What do the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) do?
FIRMs are used for two purposes. First, they determine the location of the 100-year floodplain. Secondly, FIRMs are used by insurance companies and mortgage brokers to determine who must carry flood insurance, and what rates will be charged, in order to secure financing to buy, build or improve structures in the floodplain.
Can I order copies of the official floodplain map?
Flood maps and related products may be ordered by calling the the FEMA Map Service Center (MSC) 1-877-FEMA-MAP.

Information about flood maps and other products is also available at the Map Service Center. View the Vail Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). Visitors to the site now can download and print free "FIRMettes"- user-selected portions of official FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. Regular visitors may set up accounts to order and pay for fee-based products online.
The map shows that my lot is in the mapped floodplain, but the ground my house is on is higher. I believe I shouldn't be shown in the floodplain. What are FEMA's requirements to remove land or a building from the 1% annual chance flood hazard area?
To be removed from the floodplain shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Map, a structure must be on land that is not subject to flooding by the 1% annual chance flood. Remember, more severe floods can and do happen, so even if your home is found to be on high ground, it may still be damaged by an extreme flood event.

If your lot or building site is on natural ground that is higher than the Base Flood Elevation shown on the FIRM, then you may request a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA). To support your request, you will have to get a surveyor to determine the elevation of the ground next to your building and complete an Elevation Certificate. If the ground is higher than the Base Flood Elevation, then FEMA will issue a LOMA. With a LOMA, your lender may choose to not require flood insurance.

If your home was built on fill that was placed after the FIRM was prepared, you may request a Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F). As with a LOMA, you will need to get an Elevation Certificate completed by a land surveyor. If the filled ground is higher than the Base Flood Elevation, and if you do not have a basement, then FEMA may issue a LOMR-F, and your lender may choose to not require flood insurance.
What other steps can I take if I disagree with the maps?
Per FEMA regulations, only appeals backed by scientific or technical data can be accepted. It is the responsibility of the property owner to produce that data.

There are three procedures available to use by homeowners:
1. Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)
2. Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)
3. Physical Map Revision
A. Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA)

If the applicant/insured believes that the requirement to purchase flood insurance was made in error and there is evidence that the building is not in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) on the effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the applicant/insured may apply for a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA).

A LOMA is a determination made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for property and/or building as to whether it is located within the SFHA. LOMA determinations are based on the following:
- Comparing the location of the property to the SFHA.
- Comparing the elevation of the property to the 1-percent-annual-chance flood elevation.
If, after plotting the location on the FIRM, the FEMA examiner finds that the property and/or building is not shown in the SFHA, then the determination will be "Out As Shown," rather than "Removed." The FEMA Out-As-Shown Determination will state that the property or building is correctly shown outside the SFHA and, therefore, the mandatory flood insurance requirement does not apply.

An Out-As-Shown Determination does not require elevations. The minimum requirements to make an Out-As-Shown Determination are as follows:
- A photocopy of the FIRM panel (including the title block) that shows the area in which the property is located. Section A of the , found online or by calling the toll-free number listed below. A copy of the subdivision Plat Map of the area, showing the recordation data (i.e., Book/Volume and Page numbers) and containing the recorder's seal. A copy of the deed for the property, showing the recordation information (i.e., Book/ Volume and Page numbers) and containing the recorder's seal, accompanied by a tax assessor's or other suitable map showing the surveyed location of the property and at least two street intersections that are also shown on FEMA's FIRM.
In some cases, additional information may be required to make a determination.

Questions about LOMAs may be directed to the FEMA Map Assistance Center toll-free information line at 1-800-358-9616.

B. Letter of Map Revision (LOMR)

A LOMR is an official revision to the currently effective FEMA map. It is used to change flood zones, floodplain and floodway delineations, flood elevations, and planimetric features. All requests for LOMRs must be made to FEMA through the chief executive officer of the community, since it is the community that must adopt any changes and revisions to the map. A LOMR is usually followed by a physical map revision.

C. Physical Map Revision

A physical map revision is an official republication of a map to effect changes to flood insurance zones, floodplain delineations, flood elevations, floodways, and planimetric features.

The community's chief executive officer can submit scientific and technical data to FEMA to support the request for a map revision. The data will be analyzed, and the map will be revised if warranted.

NOTE: To verify past rating determinations and to establish floodplain management compliance requirements, old maps should be retained.