This Thursday, representatives from federal, state and county agencies will speak at a special borough flood meeting at 7 p.m. at the borough building, 35 W. Union St.

The agencies represented include:

- Federal Emergency Management Agency.

- Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency.

- Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

- Luzerne County Flood Protection Agency.

Organized by freshman Councilwoman Francene Tearpock-Martini, the meeting, she hopes, will shed light on what residents can do to prepare for future floods.

“I felt it was important that we become familiar with all flood laws,” Tearpock-Martini said.

Speakers include Dave Bollinger of PEMA and Jim Brozena of the Luzerne County Flood Protection Authority.

As many as 20 structures may soon be elevated or razed by the county in an effort to deal with the areas affected worst by the flooding.

“We use a whole host of different means to determine if a property is eligible,” Brozena said.

However, Tearpock-Martini said, “The buyouts seem to be a Band-Aid on the whole problem. If a flood comes through, they still have to evacuate.”

The county uses the borough’s 126-page Hazard Mitigation Plan as a guide for determining which properties are the most susceptible to flood damage. The plan, sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FEMA, PEMA and several other agencies, was published in December 2003.

Therese Grubb, who will speak on behalf of FEMA, visited the borough on May 6 to perform an assessment and inspection. She also spoke at the council meeting the same night and suggested all residents become familiar with the flood ordinance.

According to the minutes of the meeting, “Grubb stated … there is new mapping going on for Luzerne County. This mapping is part of FEMA’s map modernization for more accurate flood insurance rates.These maps will dictate where our special flood hazard areas are.”

The 27-page ordinance outlines strict guidelines for the construction of new structures and “significant modifications” to existing structures.

Adopted April 7, 1998, the ordinance brought the community into compliance with guidelines established through the National Flood Insurance Program.

The National Flood Insurance Program, which is run by FEMA, was created in 1968 to provide flood insurance to the general public.

Borough residents have received $3,423,950 in insurance claims from the NFIP since its implementation. Of the more than 1,500 municipalities listed in Pennsylvania, Shickshinny ranks 44th in insurance payments.

Homeowners in high-risk flood areas, such as some sections of the borough, are required to have flood insurance if they have federally insured loans, such as those available through Federal Housing Authority or the Department of Veteran Affairs.

FEMA reduces premiums for residents who have flood insurance when a municipality takes certain steps, including the creation of a flood ordinance or flood mitigation plan.

FEMA also issues flood mitigation grants to municipalities for certain projects. Eligible projects include:

- Acquisitions/relocations.

- Elevations.

- Minor Localized Flood Control Projects.

- Dry flood-proofing of non-residential structures.

clynett@citizensvoice.com, 570-821-2054