HomeMy WebLinkAbout26-0023 - 2026-02-03 - Informal ReportINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0023
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 3, 2026
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rrn SUBJECT: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN — 5 YEAR (2026) UPDATE
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The purpose of this Informal Report is to provide City Council with information about the upcoming 5-year
update to the City's Floodplain Management Plan (FMP).
The Stormwater Program is initiating the five-year update of the City's Floodplain Management Plan (FMP),
a key requirement under the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Community Rating System
(CRS). This plan identifies areas prone to flooding, evaluates the impacts on people, property, and
infrastructure, and outlines strategies the City will implement to reduce flood risk over time. While designed
to meet federal standards, the FMP also serves as a local tool that helps to guide development regulations,
prioritizes capital investments, supports emergency response planning, and promotes public education on
flood hazards. In addition to the above, the FMP helps maintain eligibility for FEMA and state mitigation
grants and supports the City's CRS classification (Class 7), which currently provides residents with a 15%
discount on flood insurance premiums.
Fort Worth first adopted its Floodplain Management Plan in 2016 (Resolution No. 4670-08-2016), and on
October 12, 2021 (Resolution No. 5482-10-2021), the City Council passed a resolution adopting the current
FMP. Since 2021, Fort Worth has continued to grow rapidly. The City has completed new drainage and flood
studies, additional capital projects have been built, and new flood events have occurred. The 2026 update
will refresh flood risk data, incorporate new studies and project information, reassess problem areas, and
update the City's action plan for reducing flood risk. The plan will continue to acknowledge that significant
flooding in Fort Worth occurs outside of the FEMA floodplain and is largely attributable to deficiencies in
stormwater infrastructure, rather than river flooding alone.
The update process will involve comprehensive data analysis, close coordination with City departments and
regional partners, and focused engagement opportunities for the public and key stakeholders to provide
feedback on flood risk concerns and priorities. Two public meetings are planned for Spring and Summer
2026. Three separate stakeholder group meetings will be held throughout the process. The stakeholder
group will include members of the public representing specific stakeholder groups, such as business owners,
residents, developers, real estate and insurance sectors, and other City departments.
To comply with FEMA's requirement that the FMP be updated every five years, the revised FMP will be
provided to City Council for adoption in September 2026. This schedule ensures continued eligibility for the
CRS program and qualifies for funding opportunities tied to FEMA compliance. Once adopted, the updated
plan will guide floodplain management and flood -risk -reduction efforts for the next five years and support
the City's ongoing goals of protecting people, property, and the natural functions of Fort Worth's
floodplains.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 26-0023
di;Ttp To the Mayor and Members of the City Council February 3, 2026
r',° Page 2 of 2
V.
�O Y
rrn SUBJECT: FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN — 5 YEAR (2026) UPDATE
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For questions regarding this information, please contact Jennifer Dyke, Transportation and Public Works
Department, Assistant Director at 817-392-2714.
Jesus "Jay" Chapa
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS