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The City of Ephrata participates in the National Flood Insurance Program. The NFIP provides subsidized flood insurance to properties within designated Special Flood Hazard Areas.
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Zone Information is maintained in the Planning and Community Development Department. As a public service, city staff will provide you with the following information upon request:
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Whether a property is in or out of the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) as shown on the community’s current Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) .
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Additional flood insurance data for a site, such as the FIRM zone and depth.
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Site visits to assist in a flood zone determination .
When inquiring about a property's status regarding the floodplain, please provide the street address, and if available, the subdivision lot and block number. Contact Vivian Peterson by any of the following methods:
In person at City Hall-121 Alder St SW, open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
Telephone 509-754-4601 ext. 124 . (Please leave a voice mail message with the address if no answer.)
Fax (509-754-0912)
Email: Ron Sell - rsell@ephrata.org
Mail to 121 Alder St SW, Ephrata, WA 98823 Attn: Ron Sell
Information about flooding, the benefits of the floodplain, flood insurance, and retro-fitting floodprone buildings is available at City Hall and the Ephrata Library. Check the City’s web site from time to time and future issues of the City View for more information on flood plain management.
Community Rating System Premium Discount
The City of Ephrata earned an 8 rating on its first application to the Community Rating System (CRS) of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). A 10% discount on flood insurance premiums went into effect as a result of the new rating in October 2000. Please check with your insurance carrier to ensure the discount is in effect.
Building in the Flood Plain- Reminder: If you plan to construct a new building or improve an existing building located in the flood plain, different standards may apply. The newer standards were adopted to protect property by reducing damage that can be caused by flooding. Please check with the Building Official Rick Black (754-4601 ext.123).
The National Flood Insurance Program
The NFIP was created by Congress in 1968 to minimize the cost of disaster relief and reduce the loss of life and property caused by flooding. The Program has four goals:
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Provide flood insurance coverage not generally available in the private market.
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Foster local floodplain management efforts in guiding future development.
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Emphasize less costly nonstructural flood control regulatory measures over structural measures.
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Reduce Federal disaster costs by shifting the burden of costs associated with flooding from the general taxpayer to floodplain occupants.
The City's participation in the NFIP allows mortgage lenders to provide loans in the areas of special flood hazard. Without adoption of the City's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance, most mortgages would not be available in the floodplain. The Area of Special Flood Hazard in Ephrata is located generally between the canal and railroad tracks, from 18th Ave SW to about 10th Ave NW. Please contact the city for more accurate information.
121 Alder St SW, Ephrata, WA 98823
Please follow these links to the FEMA/National Flood Insurance Program sites www.fema.gov and www.fema.gov/nfip to find more information. | 
