(A) The flood hazard areas of Charleston County are subject to periodic inundation which results in loss of life and property, health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, extraordinary public expenditures for flood protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect the public health, safety and general welfare.
(B) These flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in flood plains, causing increases in flood heights and velocities, and by the occupancy in flood hazard areas by uses vulnerable to floods or hazardous to other lands which are inadequately elevated, flood proofed, or otherwise unprotected from flood damage.
(C) In order for owners of property located within the town which is subject to periodic inundation to obtain flood damage insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program, the United States government, by statute and through regulations promulgated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requires that the town enact flood plain regulations designed to reduce the amount of potential flood losses.
(D) The town has previously adopted various ordinances establishing regulations related to the prevention of flood damage.
(E) Based on the findings set forth above, the town finds it is in the public interest and a benefit to the general health, safety and welfare of the residents of the town, to adopt an ordinance revising and amending the town’s flood damage prevention regulations.
(Ord. 2016-14, passed 1-19-2017)