Our department has flood maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). We will compare your street address to the NFIP maps and can issue you a statement declaring whether or not you are in a flood zone. Contact the department at (716) 877-8805 for more information.

Sidewalks are replaced by the town only under certain circumstance. If a tree root from a tree that is between the curb and sidewalk has lifted the sidewalk slab, the Highway Department should be contacted at (716) 875-8822. The Highway Department has a Sidewalk Replacement program for tree root damage. You may ask them to investigate your claim and determine if it is eligible for the program.

If a town water line or sewer needed to be repaired and the crews removed the sidewalk for the repair, then the Town Water and Sewer Department will replace the sidewalk. You may contact them at (716) 874-0490).

If the sidewalk is tipped or broken due to age, then you as the property owner are responsible as described in the Town Code Section 183.

When this happens, it is usually because the water being discharged has no place to drain or the ground around your house may need to be graded so water runs away from the walls toward the street. You may contact the Town Building Department at (716) 877-8801 for additional assistance.

Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM)
Since 1982, the Town of Tonawanda has been a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) by adopting and enforcing a floodplain management local law to reduce future flood damage. In exchange, the NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available to homeowners, renters and business owners in these communities. Community participation in the NFIP is voluntary. 

The town has been using the 1982 series of Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) provided by FEMA. We have them in both paper and digital form. The ones in digital form can be used to review particular parcels in the town to see if they are in a floodplain. 

Resources 

• FEMA, Flood Insurance Study, Town of Tonawanda, February 17, 1981
  •  1981 FIRM Map Index
  •  1981 FIRM 360260 0001B
  •  1981 FIRM 360260 0003C
  •  1981 FIRM 360260 0004B
• Review Chapter 92 of the Town Code local law concerning floodplains.
• Use the town's GIS mapping system to review floodplains in town and their relationship to your property.
• The NFIP Program Description offers a more detailed overview and history of the program.
• Buy flood insurance options to protect your home, business, family and financial security. Learn more about flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program.

Floodplain Development
Any development with the Special Flood Hazard Area, also referred to as the floodplain or 100 year flood zone is highly regulated and must be done is strict accordance with the code. A floodplain development permit is required from the Town Engineer. Fees apply.

Updated Maps
FEMA is preparing to update their maps of Erie County, including the Town of Tonawanda. On January 20, 2011, the Town of Tonawanda filed an Appeal with FEMA on conditions of discharge calculations for Ellicott Creek and the delineation of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) south of Ellicott Creek. FEMA has accepted the town's protest regarding the boundary of the preliminary SFHA and has further modified the preliminary maps to reflect a reduced area of the SFHA. 

Resources 

• FEMA Flood Insurance Study for Erie County, Preliminary: December 31, 2009 - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0043H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0044H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0063H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0064H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0064H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0181H
  •  2009 Preliminary FIRM 36029C0184H

The next steps in the process would be as follows:

• If all Town concerns are adequately addressed, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination (LFD) sometime after the formal 30-day response period expires. There is no defined timeframe for issuance of the LFD.
• The LFD initiates a 6-month “adoption/compliance period” during which the Communities must enact new or modified floodplain management ordinances required for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Adoption of these ordinances is considered to be a Type I action under SEQR and must follow the appropriate approval procedures.
• The Town will receive a package from NYSDEC with a model ordinance and directions on how to customize it specifically for the Town of Tonawanda and how to proceed with the formal adoption process.
• A draft Local Law must be submitted back to the NYSDEC within 3 months. NYSDEC recommends that the Town adopt the new Local Law at least one month prior to the deadline. If the Town fails to adopt the new flood plain management regulations, the community will be suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It is our general understanding that if this should occur, new mortgage applications for buildings within identified flood hazard areas will likely not be approved and existing mortgages may be affected.
• At the end of the adoption/compliance period, the maps and FIS report will become effective. A target effective date for the LFD has not yet been set.

For more information, view the New York Mapping Status.
   
Contact Information
James B. Jones, PE,CFM 
Town Engineer 
Floodplain Administrator