Hoover’s local flood hazard areas are primarily Patton Creek in the Green Valley Country Club neighborhood and the Cahaba River in the Riverchase , Chace Lake and Trace Crossings neighborhoods. Historically, in extremely heavy rains there are a few residential homes which have been affected by the flooding of Patton Creek. In Riverchase and Trace Crossings only undeveloped land has been periodically flooded. Some areas off of Rocky Ridge Road at LochRidge and LochHaven have been known to receive flooding from the Little Shades Cahaba although the last occurrence reported was over 15 years ago.

Most recently, some unoccupied land off of Old Rocky Ridge Road received a substantial amount of flooding from the Cahaba River but only the Rocky Ridge Sports Park was affected.

Hoover's Building Inspections Department can assist you in determining if your property is located within a special flood hazard area. Properties within the special flood hazard area (SFHA) are designated Zone A. If you are purchasing a home that is located within the SFHA and have a mortgage loan backed by federal funds, you must obtain flood insurance.

Real-time river guage data for Hoover streams is available at http://www.usgs.gov/. 

Flooding is not covered under typical homeowner’s insurance, you must purchase flood insurance separately. A complete definition of coverage provided is listed in the Standard Flood Insurance policy, contact your local Inspection Services Department for information on obtaining a copy. Direct physical losses by "flood" are covered. Coverage is available for single family dwellings, other residential, non-residential and small business. Contents coverage is available (per unit) for residential, non-residential and small business.

It is best to be prepared for the possibility of flooding whether you are in a special flood hazard area or not. Flood warnings are forecasts of impending floods, and are distributed to the public by radio and television and through local government forces. Flash flood warnings are the most urgent type of flood warning issued. Knowing what to do in the event of a flood can help reduce property loss and ensure personal safety.

In flooding emergencies make sure to have easy access to a portable radio, emergency cooking equipment, lights and flashlights. Always keep first aid and critical medical supplies at hand.

If a flood warning is posted and you are advised to leave your home, move immediately to a safe area before access is cut off by flood water. Cut off all electric circuits at the fuse panel or disconnect switch. If this is not possible, turn off or disconnect all electrical appliances. Shut off the water service and gas valves in your home.

During a flood avoid areas subject to sudden flooding. Do not attempt to cross a flowing stream where water is above your knees. Do not attempt to drive over a flooded road. You can be stranded and trapped. If your vehicle stalls, abandon it immediately and seek higher ground. Many people drown while trying to rescue their car.

After a flood do not use fresh food that has come in contact with flood waters. Test drinking water for potability. Wells should be pumped out and the water re-tested before drinking. Do not visit disaster areas; your presence will probably hamper rescue and other emergency operations. Do not handle live electrical equipment in wet areas; electrical equipment should be checked and dried before returning to service. Use flashlights, not lanterns or torches, to examine buildings; flammables may be inside. Report broken utility lines to police, fire, or other appropriate authorities.

All development in the City of Hoover requires a permit from the Inspection Services Department regardless of whether it is located in a floodplain or not. Development in a floodplain, however, is required to comply with Article III. Flood Damage Prevention of the Hoover City Code. The Building Official is appointed to administer and implement the provisions of the article.

An application for development in a floodplain must be submitted to the Building Official for review. The application must include, in addition to standard construction drawings, etc., elevations in relation to mean sea level of the proposed lowest floor (including basement) of all structures and/or elevations in relation to mean sea level to which any nonresidential structure will be floodproofed. Additionally, a certificate from a registered professional engineer or architect that the nonresidential floodproofed structure will meet floodproofing criteria in the article is required, as well as a description of the extent to which any watercourse will be altered or relocated as a result of proposed development.

Residential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any residential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the highest base flood elevation. Should solid foundation perimeter walls be used to elevate a structure, openings sufficient to facilitate the unimpeded movements of flood waters shall be provided in accordance with standards within the article.

Nonresidential construction. New construction or substantial improvement of any commercial, industrial, or nonresidential structure shall have the lowest floor, including basement, elevated no lower than two (2) feet above the level of the highest base flood elevation. Structures located in all A zones may be floodproofed in lieu of being elevated provided that all areas of the structure below the required elevation are watertight with walls substantially impermeable to the passage of water, and use structural components having the capability of resisting hydrostatic and hydrodynamic loads and the effects of buoyancy. A registered professional engineer or architect shall certify that the standards of this subsection are satisfied. Such certification shall be provided to the building official.

A permit must also be obtained and the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance complied with for Substantial Improvements to a structure in a floodplain. Substantial Improvement means any combination of repairs, reconstruction, alteration, or improvements to a structure, taking place during the life of the structure, in which the cumulative cost equals or exceeds fifty (50) percent of the market value of the structure. Substantial Improvement is considered to occur when the first alteration of any walls, ceiling, floor, or other structural part of the building commences, whether or not that alteration affects the external dimensions of the structure.

For questions regarding development in a floodplain or to report development in a floodplain please contact City of Hoover Building Official, Don Reilly at Tel. #444-7597. For information regarding flood zones contact Sharon Lester, Hoover Inspection Services at #444-7566.

For additional information on flooding, flood insurance, property protection measures and possible financial assistance go to http://www.fema.gov/ . 

Other numbers of interest

State NFIP Coordinator

Mr. Ken Meredith
P.O. Box 5690
401 Adams Ave.
Montgomery, AL 30103-5690
Phone: (334) 353-0853
Fax: (334) 242-0776 

FEMA Region IV

Kenneth O. Burris, Jr.
Regional Director
3003 Chamblee-Tucker Rd.
Atlanta, GA 30341
Phone:  (770)220-5200 
Fax:  (770) 220-5230

Copyright 2006 City of Hoover, Alabama
100 Municipal Drive, Hoover, Alabama  35216 - (205) 444-7500
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