If you plan to rebuild after the flood…here is the plan!
Comet staff report

McDowell

Editor's note: The following was prepared by Dave McDowell, Carroll County EMA Director, with help from Anita Nance, Water Planner of DNR Floodplain Management Section.

Step 1:

Contact the Carroll County Assessor's office on the first floor of the county courthouse in Delphi, (765) 564-3444, for a copy of your home's Pre-Flood assessment.

If the estimated cost of repairing your home is less that 50 percent of the assessed value of the living structure only, all you need is a building permit from zoning administrator Kathy Mylet in the area plan office on the second floor of the courthouse. That telephone number is (765) 564-4468.

If the estimated cost of repair of your home is more than 50 percent of the assessed value of the structure only, you need to contact Mylet to see if your home is in the floodway. This is a technical description and your home's status will be shown on a map in the area plan office.

If the home is in the floodway, and is more than 50 percent damaged, it will require a DNR review to rebuild a home to the same square footage foundation.

If you wish to build a larger foundation, it will require a DNR permit. (Note: If you keep the same footprint, but add an upstairs, it is still a review situation.)

DNR reviews and permits are two completely separate animals!! The review is a simple process, with about a 24-hour turnaround time. The permit process is a lengthy process, with public review, etc., which will take at least 45 days, minimum. (For fastest service, write "Flood Victim" at the top of the form.)

Step #2

If no DNR action is necessary, get a building permit from area plan and proceed. No further review or permits are required.

If DNR action is necessary: a) Ask area plan or DNR's Floodplain Expert, Anita Nance, (317) 232-4160 for the proper forms; b) Have a surveyor inspect your building plans, and compare them with the 100 year flood levels. (All living areas must be at least 2 feet above this level); c) Take the plans, and surveyor's statement, to the area plan office and have them submitted to DNR; d) Upon approval, build; and e) Contact area plan to have an inspection of the new structure, and a Certificate of Elevation prepared.

You need to make three (3) copies of this form: • One for your flood insurance, to get the best rates; • One for DNR; and • One for Area Plan.

Be sure the inspector fills out EACH box in the form, even if only to put "N/A" (not applicable) in the ones which do not apply.

Step #3

Move back home, and pray we never face a flood like this again!