CRISP COUNTY, GEORGIA AND INCORPORATED AREAS

CRISP COUNTY, GEORGIA AND INCORPORATED AREAS Community Name Community Number ARABI, CITY OF 130514 CORDELE, CITY OF 130214 CRISP COUNTY (UNINCORPORATED AREAS) 130504 Crisp County EFFECTIVE: SEPTEMBER 25, 2009 Federal Emergency Management Agency FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY NUMBER 13081CV000A

NOTICE TO FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY USERS Communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program have established repositories of flood hazard data for floodplain management and flood insurance purposes. This Flood Insurance Study may not contain all data available within the repository. It is advisable to contact the community repository for any additional data. Part or all of this Flood Insurance Study may be revised and republished at any time. In addition, part of this Flood Insurance Study may be revised by the Letter of Map Revision process, which does not involve republication or redistribution of the Flood Insurance Study. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the user to consult with community officials and to check the community repository to obtain the most current Flood Insurance Study components. Initial Countywide FIS Effective Date: September 25, 2009 Revised FIS Date: i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION... 1 Page 1.1 Purpose of Study... 1 1.2 Authority and Acknowledgments... 1 1.3 Coordination... 2 2.0 AREA STUDIED... 2 2.1 Scope of Study... 2 2.2 Community Description... 3 2.3 Principal Flood Problems... 3 2.4 Flood Protection Measures...3 3.0 ENGINEERING METHODS... 3 3.1 Hydrologic Analyses... 3 3.2 Hydraulic Analyses... 5 3.3 Vertical Datum... 6 4.0 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS... 6 4.1 Floodplain Boundaries... 7 4.2 Floodways... 7 5.0 INSURANCE APPLICATIONS... 10 6.0 FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP... 11 7.0 OTHER STUDIES... 11 8.0 LOCATION OF DATA... 11 9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES... 13 ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page FIGURES Figure 1 Floodway Schematic... 10 TABLES Table 1 Summary of Discharges... 4 Table 2 Floodway Data... 9 Table 2 Community Map History... 12 EXHIBITS Exhibit 1 Flood Profiles Cordele Creek Gum Creek Malcolm Branch Panel 01P Panel 02P Panel 03P Exhibit 2 Flood Insurance Rate Map Index Flood Insurance Rate Map iii

1.0 INTRODUCTION FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY CRISP COUNTY, GEORGIA AND INCORPORATED AREAS 1.1 Purpose of Study This Flood Insurance Study (FIS) revises and updates information on the existence and severity of flood hazards in the geographic area of Crisp County, including the Cities of Arabi and Cordele; and the unincorporated areas of Crisp County (referred to collectively herein as Crisp County), and aids in the administration of the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. This study has developed flood-risk data for various areas of the community that will be used to establish actuarial flood insurance rates and to assist the community in its efforts to promote sound floodplain management. Minimum floodplain management requirements for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are set forth in the Code of Federal Regulations at 44 CFR, 60.3. In some States or communities, floodplain management criteria or regulations may exist that are more restrictive or comprehensive than the minimum Federal requirements. In such cases, the more restrictive criteria take precedence, and the State (or other jurisdictional agency) will be able to explain them. 1.2 Authority and Acknowledgments The sources of authority for this FIS report are the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973. This FIS was prepared to include all jurisdictions within Crisp County into a countywide format FIS. Information on the authority and acknowledgments for each jurisdiction with a previously printed FIS report included in this countywide FIS is shown below. Cordele, City of: The hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for this study were obtained from Flood Hazard Report, Cordele Creek and Malcolm Branch, City of Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia, and Special Flood Hazard Information Report, Gum Creek, Vicinity of Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia (References 1 and 2). For this countywide FIS, the hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were performed by URS Corporation, for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), under Contract No. 761-80189. This work was completed in August 2008. For previously effective special flood hazard areas resulting from drainage areas less than 1 square mile, no updated hydrologic and hydraulic analyses were prepared. URS compiled existing data to convert the previous studies into digital countywide format. 1

Base map information shown on the FIRM was derived from aerial photography produced for Crisp County, Georgia, dated 2007 at a scale of 1:20,000. Users of this FIRM should be aware that minor adjustments may have been made to specific base map features. 1.3 Coordination 2.0 AREA STUDIED An initial Consultation Coordination Officer s (CCO) meeting is held typically with representatives of FEMA, the community, and the study contractor to explain the nature and purpose of an FIS, and to identify the streams to be studied by detailed methods. A final CCO meeting is held typically with the same representatives to review the results of the study. Pre-Countywide Analysis For the March 18, 1987 FIS, the results of the study were reviewed and accepted at a final CCO meeting held on May 13, 1986 and attended by representatives of the City of Cordele and FEMA. This Countywide Analysis For this countywide FIS an initial CCO meeting was held on January 19, 2007, and attended by representatives of the Georgia DNR, the City of Cordele, the Crisp County Planning Department, and the mapping contractor. The results of the study were reviewed at the final CCO meeting held on November 6, 2008, and attended by representatives from Crisp County, the Georgia DNR, and the study contractor. All problems raised at that meeting have been addressed in this study. 2.1 Scope of Study This FIS report covers the geographic area of Crisp County, including the incorporated communities listed in Section 1.1. Approximate analyses were used to study those areas having a low development potential or minimal flood hazards. The scope and methods of study were proposed to, and agreed upon, by FEMA, the Georgia DNR, and the study contractor. Floodplain boundaries have been delineated based on more up-to-date topographic data. Flooding caused by overflow of Cordele Creek, Gum Creek, and Malcolm Branch was studied in detail within the community. Floodplain boundaries have been redelineated based on more up-to-date topographic data. 2

2.2 Community Description Crisp County is in southwestern Georgia and is bordered on the north by Dooly County; on the west by Sumter and Lee Counties; on the south by Worth and Turner Counties; and on the east by Wilcox and Turner Counties. Crisp County is served by Interstate 75, U.S. Routes 41 and 280; and State Routes 30 and 7. Crisp County encompasses an area of 274 square miles. According to the 2006 U.S. Census estimate, the population of Crisp County was 22,051 (Reference 3) 2.3 Principal Flood Problems Due to the parameters of this existing data study, information regarding flooding problems in the community is obtained only from the source reports (Reference 1 and 2) and any other readily available sources. None of these sources provided information relating to the flooding problems in the community. 2.4 Flood Protection Measures Due to the parameters of this existing data study, information regarding flood protection measures in the community is obtained only from the source reports (References 1 and 2) and any other readily available sources. None of these sources provided information relating to the flood protection measures in the community. 3.0 ENGINEERING METHODS For the flooding sources studied by detailed methods in the community, standard hydrologic and hydraulic study methods were used to determine the flood-hazard data required for this study. Flood events of a magnitude that is expected to be equaled or exceeded once on the average during any 10-, 50-, 100-, or 500-year period (recurrence interval) have been selected as having special significance for floodplain management and for flood insurance rates. These events, commonly termed the 10-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year floods, have a 10-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent chance, respectively, of being equaled or exceeded during any year. Although the recurrence interval represents the long-term, average period between floods of a specific magnitude, rare floods could occur at short intervals or even within the same year. The risk of experiencing a rare flood increases when periods greater than 1 year are considered. For example, the risk of having a flood that equals or exceeds the 1-percent-annual-chance flood in any 50-year period is approximately 40 percent (4 in 10); for any 90-year period, the risk increases to approximately 60 percent (6 in 10). The analyses reported herein reflect flooding potentials based on conditions existing in the community at the time of completion of this study. Maps and flood elevations will be amended periodically to reflect future changes. 3.1 Hydrologic Analyses Hydrologic analyses were carried out to establish peak discharge-frequency 3

relationships for each flooding source studied by detailed methods affecting the community. Information on the methods used to determine peak discharge-frequency relationships for the streams studied by detailed methods is shown below. Pre-countywide Analyses U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) equations were used to establish peak dischargefrequency relationships for the streams studied in detail (Reference 4). Peak discharge-drainage area relationships for the 10-, 50-, 100-, and 500-year floods of each flooding source studied in detail in the community are shown in Table 1. This Countywide Analyses/Revision Discharges for the 1-percent-annual-chance recurrence interval for all new or restudied approximate study streams in Crisp County were determined using the USGS regression equations for the HA3 hydrologic region of Georgia as described in USGS Water Resource Investigation (WRI) Report 93-4016 (Reference 5). Peak discharge-drainage area relationships for the selected recurrence intervals are shown in Table 1, Summary of Discharges. TABLE 1 - SUMMARY OF DISCHARGES FLOODING SOURCE AND LOCATION DRAINAGE AREA (sq. miles) 10-percent chance PEAK DISCHARGES (cfs) 2-percent 1-percent chance chance 0.2-percent chance CORDELE CREEK Just upstream of confluence with Gum Creek 1.98 860 1,150 1,270 1,525 GUM CREEK Just upstream of confluence with Cordele Creek 51.7 2,230 3,560 4,280 5,920 MALCOLM BRANCH Just upstream of confluence with Gum Creek 4.67 660 990 1,140 1,510 Just downstream of Sixth Avenue 2.28 490 715 820 1,050 Just downstream of Eighth Avenue 1.90 390 580 660 880 4

3.2 Hydraulic Analyses Analyses of the hydraulic characteristics of flooding from the sources studied were carried out to provide estimates of the elevations of floods of the selected recurrence intervals. Users should be aware that flood elevations shown on the FIRM represent rounded whole-foot elevations and may not exactly reflect the elevations shown on the Flood Profiles or in the Floodway Data tables in the FIS report. Flood elevations shown on the FIRM are primarily intended for flood insurance rating purposes. For construction and/or floodplain management purposes, users are cautioned to use the flood elevation data presented in this FIS in conjunction with the data shown on the FIRM. Cross sections for the flooding sources studied by detailed methods were obtained from field surveys. All bridges, dams, and culverts were field surveyed to obtain elevation data and structural geometry. The hydraulic analyses for this study were based on unobstructed flow. The flood elevations shown on the Flood Profiles (Exhibit 1) are thus considered valid only if hydraulic structures remain unobstructed, operate properly, and do not fail. Pre-countywide Analysis Channel roughness factors (Manning s n ) used in the hydraulic computations were determined by field inspection. Water-surface profiles of floods of the selected recurrence intervals were computed using the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) HEC-2 step-backwater computer program (Reference 6). Locations of selected cross sections used in the hydraulic analyses are shown on the Flood Profiles (Exhibit 1). For stream segments for which a floodway was computed (Section 4.2), selected cross-section locations are also shown on the FIRM. This Countywide Analysis Cross section geometries for the approximate models were obtained from digital terrain data provided by the State of Georgia. For approximate studies performed in this update, the following Manning s n values were used in hydraulic computations: Channel n = 0.05 Overbank n = 0.15 Additionally, the starting conditions for the hydraulic models were set to normal depth using a starting slope of 0.005 for all approximate studies performed in this countywide study. Water-surface profiles were computed through the use of the USACE HEC-RAS version 4.0 water-surface profiles computer program (Reference 7). The model was run for the 1-percent-annual-chance storm for approximate studies. 5

3.3 Vertical Datum All FIS reports and FIRMs are referenced to a specific vertical datum. The vertical datum provides a starting point against which flood, ground, and structure elevations can be referenced and compared. Until recently, the standard vertical datum used for newly created or revised FIS reports and FIRMs was the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD). With the completion of the North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD), many FIS reports and FIRMs are now prepared using NAVD as the referenced vertical datum. Flood elevations shown in this FIS report and on the FIRM are referenced to NAVD 88. These flood elevations must be compared to structure and ground elevations referenced to the same vertical datum. For information regarding conversion between NGVD 29 and NAVD 88, visit the National Geodetic Survey website at www.ngs.noaa.gov, or contact the National Geodetic Survey at the following address: Vertical Network Branch, N/CG13 National Geodetic Survey, NOAA Silver Spring Metro Center 3 1315 East-West Highway Silver Spring, Maryland 20910 (301) 713-3191 Temporary vertical monuments are often established during the preparation of a flood hazard analysis for the purpose of establishing local vertical control. Although these monuments are not shown on the FIRM, they may be found in the Technical Support Data Notebook associated with the FIS report and FIRM for this community. Interested individuals may contact FEMA to access these data. To obtain current elevation, description, and/or location information for benchmarks shown on this map, please contact the Information Services Branch of the NGS at (301) 713-3242, or visit their website at www.ngs.noaa.gov. For all redelineated streams that were previously studied by detailed methods a vertical datum shift was applied to convert the water surface elevations from NGVD to NAVD. The vertical datum conversion factor utilized in Crisp County was calculated to be (-) 0.561 foot from NGVD to NAVD. 4.0 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS The NFIP encourages State and local governments to adopt sound floodplain management programs. To assist in this endeavor, each FIS report provides 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain data, which may include a combination of the following: 10-, 2-, 1-, and 0.2-percent-annual-chance flood elevations; delineations of the 1- and 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplains; and a 1-percent-annual-chance floodway. This 6

information is presented on the FIRM and in many components of the FIS report, including Flood Profiles, Floodway Data tables, and Summary of Stillwater Elevation tables. Users should reference the data presented in the FIS report as well as additional information that may be available at the local community map repository before making flood elevation and/or floodplain boundary determinations. 4.1 Floodplain Boundaries To provide a national standard without regional discrimination, the 1-percent-annualchance flood has been adopted by FEMA as the base flood for floodplain management purposes. Approximate floodplain boundaries in Crisp County and all incorporated areas were delineated with digital terrain developed from digital topography made available by the USGS. These digital contours were developed from Digital Elevation Models created for the base mapping program for the Crisp County, Georgia area. The approximate equivalent contour interval of the digital terrain data received was 10 ft. The 1- percent-annual-chance floodplain boundaries are shown on the FIRM. On this map, the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain boundary corresponds to the boundary of the areas of special flood hazards Zone A. Small areas within the floodplain boundaries may lie above the flood elevations, but cannot be shown due to limitations of the map scale and/or lack of detailed topographic data. For the streams studied by approximate methods, only the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain boundary is shown on the FIRM (Exhibit 2). 4.2 Floodways Encroachment on floodplains, such as structures and fill, reduces flood-carrying capacity, increases flood heights and velocities, and increases flood hazards in areas beyond the encroachment itself. One aspect of floodplain management involves balancing the economic gain from floodplain development against the resulting increase in flood hazard. For purposes of the NFIP, a floodway is used as a tool to assist local communities in this aspect of floodplain management. Under this concept, the area of the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplain is divided into a floodway and a floodway fringe. The floodway is the channel of a stream, plus any adjacent floodplain areas, that must be kept free of encroachment so that the base flood can be carried without substantial increases in flood heights. Minimum Federal standards limit such increases to 1 foot, provided that hazardous velocities are not produced. The floodways in this study are presented to local agencies as minimum standards that can be adopted directly or that can be used as a basis for additional floodway studies. The floodways presented in this FIS were computed for certain stream segments on the basis of equal conveyance reduction from each side of the floodplain. Floodway widths were computed at cross sections. Between cross sections, the floodway boundaries were interpolated. The results of the floodway computations are tabulated for selected 7

cross sections in Table 2, Floodway Data. The computed floodways are shown on the FIRM (Exhibit 2). In cases where the floodway and 1-percent annual chance floodplain boundaries are either close together or collinear, only the floodway boundary is shown. Encroachment into areas subject to inundation by floodwaters having hazardous velocities aggravates the risk of flood damage and heightens potential flood hazards by further increasing velocities. A listing of stream velocities at selected cross sections is provided in Table 2, "Floodway Data." To reduce the risk of property damage in areas where the stream velocities are high, the community may wish to restrict development in areas outside the floodway. Along streams where floodways have not been computed, the community must ensure that the cumulative effect of development in the floodplains will not cause more than a 1.0-foot increase in the BFEs at any point within the community. The area between the floodway and 1-percent annual chance floodplain boundaries is termed the floodway fringe. The floodway fringe encompasses the portion of the floodplain that could be completely obstructed without increasing the water-surface elevation of the 1-percent annual chance flood by more than 1.0 foot at any point. Typical relationships between the floodway and the floodway fringe and their significance to floodplain development are shown in Figure 1, "Floodway Schematic." 8

FLOODING SOURCE CROSS SECTION CORDELE CREEK DISTANCE WIDTH (FEET) FLOODWAY SECTION AREA (SQUARE FEET) MEAN VELOCITY (FEET PER SECOND) REGULATORY (NAVD) BASE FLOOD WATER SURFACE ELEVATION WITHOUT FLOODWAY (NAVD) WITH FLOODWAY (NAVD) INCREASE A 1,640 1 52 249 5.1 284.5 284.5 285.1 0.6 B 1,895 1 49 290 4.4 286.2 286.2 287.2 1.0 C 2,801 1 168 659 1.9 288.2 288.2 289.2 1.0 D 3,271 1 210 1,032 1.2 289.4 289.4 290.4 1.0 E 4,031 1 33 193 6.6 291.1 291.1 292.1 1.0 GUM CREEK A 6,250 2 433 3,141 1.5 275.9 275.9 276.9 1.0 B 13,400 2 364 3,181 1.3 284.3 284.3 285.2 0.9 C 14,100 2 242 1,395 3.1 284.9 284.9 285.7 0.8 MALCOLM BRANCH A 3,250 2 160 974 1.2 287.3 287.3 288.3 1.0 B 4,450 2 51 267 3.1 288.0 288.0 288.7 0.7 C 4,985 2 140 534 1.5 289.2 289.2 290.1 0.9 D 5,383 2 177 814 1.0 289.9 289.9 290.8 0.9 E 5,922 2 115 388 2.1 290.5 290.5 291.4 0.9 F 6,813 2 31 180 4.6 293.6 293.6 294.3 0.7 G 7,287 2 87 443 1.8 296.1 296.1 296.8 0.7 H 7,991 2 133 433 1.9 297.4 297.4 297.8 0.4 I 8,240 2 112 430 1.9 298.0 298.0 298.8 0.8 J 9,250 2 35 191 3.5 301.4 301.4 301.8 0.4 1 Feet above confluence with Gum Creek 2 Feet above mouth TABLE 2 FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY CRISP COUNTY, GA AND INCORPORATED AREAS FLOODWAY DATA CORDELE CREEK GUM CREEK MALCOLM BRANCH

Figure 1: FLOODWAY SCHEMATIC 5.0 INSURANCE APPLICATIONS For flood insurance rating purposes, flood insurance zone designations are assigned to a community based on the results of the engineering analyses. These zones are as follows: Zone A Zone A is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplains that are determined in the FIS report by approximate methods. Because detailed hydraulic analyses are not performed for such areas, no base (1-percent-annual-chance) flood elevations (BFEs) or depths are shown within this zone. Zone AE Zone AE is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to the 1-percent-annual-chance floodplains that are determined in the FIS report by detailed methods. Whole-foot BFEs derived from the detailed hydraulic analyses are shown at selected intervals within this zone. 10

Zone X Zone X is the flood insurance rate zone that corresponds to areas outside the 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain, areas within the 0.2-percent-annual-chance floodplain, areas of 1-percent-annual-chance flooding where average depths are less than 1 foot, areas of 1-percent-annual-chance flooding where the contributing drainage area is less than 1 square mile (sq. mi.), and areas protected from the base flood by levees. No BFEs or depths are shown within this zone. 6.0 FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP The FIRM is designed for flood insurance and floodplain management applications. For flood insurance applications, the map designates flood insurance rate zones as described in Section 5.0. Insurance agents use zones to assign premium rates for flood insurance policies. For floodplain management applications, the map shows the 1 percent-annual-chance floodplain using tints, screens, and symbols. The current FIRM presents flooding information for the entire geographic area of Crisp County. Previously, FIRMs were prepared for each incorporated community and the unincorporated areas of the County identified as flood-prone. This countywide FIRM also includes flood-hazard information that was presented separately on Flood Boundary and Floodway Maps (FBFMs), where applicable. Historical data relating to the maps prepared for each community are presented in Table 3, Community Map History. 7.0 OTHER STUDIES The previous FIS report for the City of Cordele was available as reference for this countywide study effort (Reference 8) This FIS report either supersedes or is compatible with all previous studies published on streams studied in this report and should be considered authoritative for the purposes of the NFIP. 8.0 LOCATION OF DATA Information concerning the pertinent data used in the preparation of this study can be obtained by contacting Federal Insurance and Mitigation Division, FEMA Region IV, Koger-Center Rutgers Building, 3003 Chamblee Tucker Road, Atlanta, GA 30341. 11

COMMUNITY NAME INITIAL IDENTIFICATION FLOOD HAZARD BOUNDARY MAP REVISION DATE(S) FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP EFFECTIVE DATE FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP REVISION DATE(S) Arabi, City of September 25, 2009 N/A September 25, 2009 Cordele, City of September 24, 1976 NONE March 18, 1987 Crisp County (Unincorporated Areas) August 2, 1996 N/A August 2, 1996 TABLE 3 FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY CRISP COUNTY, GA AND INCORPORATED AREAS COMMUNITY MAP HISTORY

9.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND REFERENCES 1. U.S Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District, Flood Hazard Report, Cordele Creek and Malcolm Branch, City of Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, May 1983. 2. ----------, Mobile District, Special Flood Hazard Information Report, Gum Creek, Vicinity of Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia, Mobile, Alabama, August 1980. 3. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/13000.html 4. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Investigations Report 78-137, Floods in Georgia, Magnitude and Frequency: Techniques for Estimating the Magnitude and Frequency of Floods in Georgia with Compilation of Flood Data through 1974, McGlone Price, October 1979. 5. ----------, Water Resources Investigations Report 93-4016, Estimating Flood Magnitude and Frequency in Rural and Urban Areas in Georgia, 1994. 6. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering Center, HEC-2 Water Surface Profiles, Computer Program 723-X6-L202A, April 1984. 7. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering Center, HEC-RAS River Analysis System, Version 4.0, March 2008. 8. Federal Emergency Management Agency, Flood Insurance Study, City of Cordele, Georgia, Flood Insurance Study Report March 18, 1987. 13