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FAQs
Click on a link below to go directly to a topic or scroll to view all questions.
Background on why we’re facing this issue
- Why is FEMA no longer considering these levees to be certifiable to the 100-year level?
As part of a national map modernization program, designed to update and digitize national flood hazard maps across the country, FEMA has announced its intention to deaccredit the five Mississippi River levees that protect the American Bottoms in Southwestern Illinois. Based on deficiencies identified by the Corps of Engineers, specifically the need to use additional flood fighting measures such as sandbagging to control underseepage, FEMA has indicated that it will no longer certify that the levees protect the region from a 100 year flood. FEMA will release new maps for Southwestern Illinois that show the American Bottoms, from the Mississippi River east to Bluff Rd., as no longer protected.
- Why are the levees that protected the region from major flooding in the flood of 1993 now considered deficient?
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s devastating impact, FEMA has updated the standards by which it accredits levees. The issue at hand is the need identified by the Corps of Engineers to use flood fighting measures such as sandbagging to control underseepage and provide the level of protection necessary. FEMA will no longer accredit levee systems unless they can protect a floodplain without having to use those measures.
- Does this issue have implications outside of the American Bottoms?
The economy and essential services over the entire area are interconnected. Roads and highways, rail and utilities located in the floodplain all serve residents east of the bluffs, and commuting patterns show that residents flow into the Bottoms for employment and vice versa. Over 20,000 residents of the area east of the bluffs commute into the American Bottoms for employment and over 13,000 commute in the opposite direction.
- Is this problem unique to Southwestern Illinois?
No. FEMA’s flood map modernization program is designed to update all the flood hazard maps across the country. It will be several years before FEMA completes the remapping process nationwide. The reality is that all communities located within flood hazard areas will be remapped in the coming years and many could face issues with decertification of their levees. Our goal is to proactively address our local situation in such a way that it can serve as a model for other communities that will be dealing with
this issue down the line.
Timing Issues
- Why are the Southwestern Illinois levees impacted by FEMA’s actions while the levees in St. Louis City and county don’t appear to be?
It’s a matter of timing. In the wake of hurricane Katrina, Congress directed FEMA to review all of the nation’s levee systems, and our region was one of the first because we are the second most populated area on the Mississippi River, after New Orleans. St. Louis City and County will also have to go through the remapping process, but since the remapping is currently being addressed by FEMA region, their levees are in a different region and are not scheduled for review for a few more years. The fact that FEMA currently plans to release the Illinois maps several years before the updated Missouri maps will be complete puts the Metro East at a distinct economic disadvantage.
- What steps are being taken to address those timing concerns?
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL) introduced legislation in the weeks following FEMA’s announcement to help bring some economic equity to FEMA's flood plain remapping plans. The amendment would require that all remapping for a whole Corps of Engineers district be competed at the same time, which would require that Missouri and Illinois be done simultaneously. The legislation passed the U.S. House of Representatives. The original amendment language has since been modified by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) to apply only to the St. Louis Corps District and attached to Senate Bill 2284, the Flood Insurance Reauthorization bill. On Thursday, May 4, 2008, the Senate voted to approve the modified Costello amendment. It is now pending the President’s signature.
- What is the anticipated timing for the new maps to be issued?
FEMA issued the preliminary maps in June 2008, but that is just one of the first steps in a lengthy process. These maps will not become final until after a one-year review and comment period. Regional leaders continue to work on various initiatives to minimize the economic impact of FEMA’s pending action while taking the needed steps to restore and recertify the levees.
Impact on expanding businesses and developers
- How many businesses are in the impacted area?
There are approximately 4,000 businesses in the three-county area protected by the Metro East Levee systems. Together, they employ more than 50,000 people.
- What will existing businesses with expansion plans and developers of new projects have to do to when FEMA’s revised flood insurance rate maps go into effect?
Existing businesses that have a mortgage on their property will be required to purchase Flood Insurance for their current facilities and to insure the contents. If they own their buildings outright and no longer hold a mortgage, flood insurance won’t be required but is still recommended. Those with expansion plans and developers of new projects will need to adhere to new elevation standards for construction of any new buildings. The specifics will depend on the outcome of the recent AR Zone application.
- What impact will approval of the region’s AR Zone application have on planned business expansion or new developments?
This designation recognizes that the levees still offer a significant level of protection and that restoration is underway. Should FEMA accept the application and issue the preliminary and new maps with the AR designation, it will preserve the current lower flood insurance rates, allow for more relaxed structure elevation requirements than in other Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) and allow for a 10-year period to carry out a plan for repair and restoration of the levees. Regional leaders, however, are committed to completing the restoration work within five year.
- What if FEMA denies the AR Zone application?
Regional leaders are confident that FEMA will accept the AR Zone application. If, however, it does not, homeowners, businesses and commercial property owners in the SFHAs would find themselves facing significantly higher flood insurance rates and developers would be required to meet higher structure elevation requirements once the new flood maps are issued in mid 2009.
- What do I need to do now if I’m considering a new development in the American Bottoms?
Developers of future projects in the American Bottoms will need to get specific details regarding how FEMA’s flood map modernization process will impact requirements related to flood insurance and building elevations. Contact the appropriate county representative listed in the Contact Us section to learn more.
- What specific elevation requirements will I need to meet?
Should FEMA accept the AR Zone application and issue the preliminary and new maps with the AR designation, it will preserve the current lower flood insurance rates and allow for more relaxed structure elevation requirements than in other Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) Contact the appropriate County representative listed in the Contact Us section for specific details.
- What do I tell prospective tenants while the levee restoration work is underway?
You can let prospective tenants know that the region’s leaders are committed to addressing the problems with our levees and have been busy implementing various actions as part of the unified regional response. They continue to make progress and are confident that the levees will be restored and recertified within five years. In the meantime, they also are pursuing legislative efforts to delay the release of the maps and minimize the amount of time that businesses in the region would be required to have flood insurance.
- Has FEMA’s announcement impacted planned development in the Metro East?
FEMA’s intent to change the flood rate maps has been one of the factors considered in recent investment decisions. We understand that it may have contributed to a couple of projects being put on hold, while several other multi-million dollar projects are moving forward. For a comprehensive list of Metro East projects recently announced, under construction or recently completed, check out the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois’ annual Market Review & Investment Update. You’ll also find the latest news about some of the region’s largest development projects at
www.siteselction-IL.com/sw-illinois-development.html.
Funding, Legal Issues and Timeline
- How will the levee repairs be funded?
The financial consultants hired by EWG are investigating funding options and developing recommendations regarding mechanisms that may be available to pay for the restoration work. We are committed to getting the funding and restoration plans finalized, so work can begin and the levees can be recertified as quickly as possible.
- Is there any legal action that can be taken to delay the release of the new maps by FEMA?
The legal consultants will investigate all the legal options at our disposal, but it is important to realize that we must proceed with the restoration of the five levees systems. We have 150,000 people living in the American Bottoms, along with 4,000 businesses and more than 50,000 jobs. Our region is at a critical point in its economic development, making it critical that we address this vital issue.
- How long do regional leaders believe it will take to get the levees restored and recertified?
Regional leaders are committed to having the levees restored and recertified within five
years.
More Information
- Where can I get more information about this process as it unfolds?
This website will be regularly updated to provide the latest information, and we will be working with the local media to share information on key milestones reached. If you have specific questions not addressed here, check out the Contact Us section for additional sources who may be able to help you.
 For general information about the region’s levees, how they work, etc, see:
Southwestern Illinois Flood Prevention Initiative: Status Report and Projected Timeline, East-West Gateway Council of Governments, November 2007
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