All areas adjacent to streams have a defined or implied floodplain. Within this floodplain, development is restricted and regulated.
In the 1970s, the Federal Insurance Administration (FIA) conducted detailed studies of many flood-prone waterways. These studies were significantly revised in 2007. If such a study was done, the floodplain is delineated on an official floodway map that indicates the stream channel, "500-year" and "100-year" floodplains. In the absence of such a study, the floodway is defined as the area including the stream channel and 50 feet landward from the top of the stream bank on both sides of the stream channel.
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is a federally based insurance program for property owners in flood-prone areas. The NFIP is based on a mutual agreement between the federal government and the community. Federally-subsidized flood insurance is available in those communities that agree to regulate development in their designated floodplains. The NFIP requirements provide the minimum basic guidelines for state and municipal regulations governing floodplain management and development. If the communities comply with the NFIP floodplain development criteria, federal flood insurance can be purchased for properties in the community.
Community adherence to these floodplain regulations is reviewed on an ongoing basis. If the community is found to still be adhering to the regulations, insurance rates stay the same. If the community is found to be in violation of the regulations, the insurance rates for all policyholders may go up or flood insurance may no longer be offered through the NFIP.
You may need to demonstrate compliance with your community's floodplain management ordinance before a building permit will be issued.
It is in the interest of all property owners within the floodplain to keep development and land usage within the scope of the floodplain regulations for their community. This helps keep insurance rates low and makes sure that the risk of flood damage is not increased by development of property near yours.
These floodplain management regulations establish guidelines to make sure that development and land usage within the floodway and adjacent floodplain does not make flooding worse for everyone within the floodplain. The guidelines are used to prevent the creation of additional obstructions to floodwaters and prohibit landfills that would divert excessive floodwaters onto adjacent properties.
The floodway management regulations and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) were developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and copies are available either from them, PA DCED, your county planning commission, or can be downloaded below.
Jersey Shore Borough FIRMS:
Map Number 42081C0414F (Revised June 2, 2016) FIRM 4206420001.jpg (147 KB)
To see if you are in the Flood zone, please visit http://lycomap.lyco.org/parcelviewer/.
If you wish to check the water level of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River at Jersey Shore, please click here for the most up-to-date information.
Hazard Mitigation Project Opportunity Information - for more information, please contact Sal Vitko at 570-320-2130 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Changes in the Flood Maps - What Property Owners Need to Know
Lycoming County Planning Commission
48 West Third Street
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-327-2200
Contact FEMA at:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Map Service Center
P.O. Box 1038
Jessup, MD 20794-1038
Voice: (800) 358-9616
Other Useful Websites
FEMA Flood Insurance Publications - www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program
National Flood Insurance Program - Flood Insurance For Renters
Information for Consumers/Property Owners - www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/index.jsp
FEMA Map Service Center - http://msc.fema.gov/portal
To see the most up-to-date levels for the West Branch Susquehanna River at Jersey Shore, please click here to see the Inundation Mapping:
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/inundation/index.php?gage=jrsp1
TO ACCESS THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BELOW, PLEASE CONTACT THE BOROUGH OFFICE:
Elevated Res. Structures
1. Coastal Constr. Manual Vol. 1
2. Coastal Constr. Manual Vol. 2
3. Answers to Questions about the NFIP
4. Protecting Manufactured Homes
5. Mitigation of Flood and Erosion Damage to Residential Buildings in Coastal Areas
6. Protecting Floodplain Resources
7. Elevating Your House
8. Protecting Building Utility Systems from Flood Damage
9. Reducing Damage from Localized Flooding