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Flood Hazard
In Connecticut, the greatest flood threats come from seasonal storms (especially during the winter), seasonal high tides, and hurricanes. Stamford is bordered by the Long Island Sound to its south, and is traversed by the Mianus River, Rippowam (Mill) River, Noroton River, Springdale Brook, and Toilsome Brook - all of which have the potential for significant flooding. During a winter storm in 1992, when the tidal waters reached an elevation of ro feet above mean sea level, more than 30 homes along the coast were damaged, and dozens more properties suffered flooding of basements and yards. The map on this brochure indicates Stamford's roo-year floodplain or higher risk flood hazard areas - it's the gray-shaded area along the coast and adjacent to the rivers. These areas are lands in the floodplain that are subject to a 1% or greater chance of flooding to a depth greater than one foot in any single year. Expressed another way, thes flood hazard areas contain properties that have about a 25% chance of being flooded over the span of a 30-year mortgage. An estimated 4,800 Stamford properties are within flood hazard areas. The federal government estimates that a home is 4 times more likely to be damaged by flooding than by fire.
Natural and Beneficial
Functions of the Floodplain
Floodplain areas in Stamford that remain undeveloped and relatively undisturbed include riparian areas (corridors of natural vegetation alongside rivers), marshes Qow-lying areas where there is water at or near the ground surface throughout the entire year), and swamps (areas where there is water at or near the ground surface during the late fall, winter, and spring). These areas are an integral part of the local landscape, and provide many environmental, conservation,and aesthetic benefits:
Riparian Areas
Corridors of vegetation along rivers are essential to the stability of the riverbanks, and they provide important travel ways for migrating and resident wildlife. Riparian areas prevent erosion, and they HIter surface waters removing nutrients and impurities from runoff By slowing the velocities of flood waters, these natural corridors reduce potential damage to downstream areas. Activities within riparian areas require special permits.
Wetlands (marshes and swamps) are characterized by a diversity of vegetation, including trees, shrubs, and herbaceous ground covers. They provide homes for wildlife; store flood waters and reduce the velocities of flowing water; trap and hold sands, silts and other sediments; and biologically fllter contaminants from surface waters thus protecting and enhancing water quality. There are laws regulating activities within wetlands in order to protect their beneficial functions. Protectingwetlands is an effective means of reducing flooding.
Flood Warning System
Flood warnings are forecasts of impending storms and are broadcast to the public by the National Weather Service's Weather Radio, commercial radio and TV stations, and through local emergency agencies. These warnings are intended
to help people prepare, protect, and lessen their exposure to damages from flooding by establishing time frames and levels of flooding expected. For emergency instructions, monitor storm reports on the radio or television. The Stamford Emergency Operations Center is activated in the event of a declared flood emergency:
Radio Fairfield County News Radio WSTC 1400
TV News Twelve Channel 12
stamford Emergency Operations Center Captain Thomas Lombardo 203-977-5900
Property owners may also subscribe to weather alerts via e-mail at the Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection by messaging: diane.ifkovic@po.state.d.us
Contacts and Links
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): 800-621-FEMA - www.fema.gov
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP): 888-379-9531 -www.floodsmart.gov
Conn. Department of Environmental Protection: 860-424-3000- www.dep.state.ct.us
City of Stamford: 203-977-6600- www.cityofstamford.org
Stamford Citizen Service Center ........................ (203) 977-4140
Stamford Environmental Protection Board ....... (203) 977-4028
Stamford Planning and Zoning .......................... (203) 977-4711
Ferguson Library ....................................................(203) 964-1000
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