Flood Information | Community Development

Floodplain Information

2023 Flooding

City of Hailey is anticipating elevated flooding to occur in 2023. Due to the expected flooding, City of Hailey staff will be holding two (2) public outreach meetings at City Hall and virtually. All are encouraged to attend. These meetings are scheduled to take place on April 19, 2023 and May 3, 2023 starting at 5:30 pm, to be held at Hailey City Hall and available virtually via GoToMeeting. Both meetings will cover the same information.

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/507079749

You can also dial in using your phone.
Access Code: 507-079-749
United States: +1 (571) 317-3112

Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts:
https://meet.goto.com/install

Meeting Documents:

Flood Warning and Meanings

Flood Watch: Flood could be possible, be prepared!
Flood Advisory: Possible flooding, but not expected to be severe enough for a warning.
Flash Flood Warning: Flash Flood is a sudden violent flood that can take minutes or hours to develop. This warning is issued with flash flooding is either imminent or already occurring.
Flood Warning: Flooding is either imminent or already occurring.

City Road Restriction Stages due to Flooding

Surface water flowing over road shoulder and/or edge of Road: The City will install “Water Over Roadway” signage and impose Weight Restrictions. This condition is typically re-occurring with an approximate Big Wood River Gauge reading of 3.8 feet, plus or minus.
Surface water reducing roadway to a single lane: The City will install “Road Closed” signage at obstructed locations with “Local Traffic Only” signage at the next closest intersection in either direction. This condition is typically re-occurring with an approximate Big Wood River Gauge reading of 4.5 feet, plus or minus.
Water over entire roadway with loss of visual confirmation of travel surface location and condition, thereby endangering emergency services, OR other identifiable hazards: This condition results in mandatory evacuation for the safety of the general public and emergency responders. Properties subject to mandatory evacuations, if any, will be contacted by the City of Hailey in coordination with the Blaine County Sheriff’s Department.

Click Here to view Big Wood River Hydrograph

Before

Determine if your property is located in the Floodplain.
Purchase Flood Insurance: It can take up to 30 days to go into effect!
Prepare your home!
- Keep drainage channels and pipes free of obstructions and debris.
- Setup sandbags within 3 feet of your structure.
- Make sure your sump pump is working.
- Mark your circuit breakers/fuses.
- Move or anchor any outdoor furniture/equipment.
Keep an emergency supply of items such as: of non-perishable food, water, batteries, flashlights, and battery-operated radio.
Make sure your cell phone is charged.
Develop and practice an evacuation plan for your family.
Establish contact point if your family gets separated.
Take inventory of home and retain this list/video/pictures for potential insurance claims.
Move valuables, important paperwork, furniture and HVAC equipment when possible, to higher areas of the dwelling to minimize damages.
Sign up for Blaine County Emergency communications: Notify Me and CodeRed.
If its likely you will flood, don’t wait to evacuate your family and pets.

During

Visit www.blaineemergency.org or tune-in to local commercial radio or television stations for Watch and Warning Bulletins and any corresponding emergency instructions.
Do not walk or drive through flood waters.
Do not attempt to drive or wade through deep pockets of water or running washes.
Obey evacuation orders. If able to do so safely, disconnect utilities and appliances
Avoid low-lying areas, seek shelter in highest areas possible such as top floors, attics or even roofs
Fill tubs, sinks, and jugs with water in case water becomes contaminated.
Keep evacuation plan and emergency supply bag readily available.

After

Listen to the radio for emergency instructions.
Avoid driving if possible until area has been cleared by emergency personnel.
Avoid disaster areas until emergency personnel authorize access.
Contact your insurance company to determine next steps.
Check for structural damage before entering home.
Throw away any food/drink items that have come in contact with flood waters, even canned goods.
Do not use matches, lighters or other open flames when entering home, gas could be trapped inside.
Keep power and gas off until a professional has inspected it.
Follow established permitting procedures for the property damage repairs.

Facts and Guidelines

Ensure inside edge of sandbags or other flood protection measures should be no more than 3 ft from the edge of the structure whenever reasonably feasible, with the understanding that some flood protection barriers need a little more room to make turning radiuses around structure corners.
Do not walk or drive through flood waters.
Keep emergency supply bag and evacuation plan readily available for you and your family.
Do not re-route waters from your property to your neighbors or the street.
Floodwaters may carry raw sewage, chemical waste and other disease-spreading substances. If you've come in contact with floodwaters, wash your hands with soap and disinfected water.
Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires.
Animals get scared and lose their homes in floods, too. Be aware that even domesticated animals may be confused and unpredictable in a flood situation. Be aware that undomesticated animals could find shelter in your or property after a flood.

Resources

Floodplain Management

It's never too late to think about long term planning to prevent flood loss in the future, and to provide peace of mind when the snow pack starts to melt.

The City of Hailey has a Flood Hazard Overlay District, which includes all property that has been determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to be in the Special Flood Hazard Area. This zoning district has been set up to promote the public health, safety, and general welfare, and to minimize public and private losses due to flood conditions.

Resources

Flood Insurance

The City of Hailey participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which assures that flood insurance is available to everyone in the City. This program is set up to help reduce the flood hazard and lower the cost of flood insurance within the city. If you live in the floodplain and do not have flood insurance, check with your insurance agent. A standard homeowner's insurance policy does not provide flood damage coverage. According to most insurance carriers in the area, a 30-day waiting period exists for flood insurance to be effective, so if you feel flooding in your neighborhood may impact you, make sure that you have your flood insurance in place ahead of time. The City of Hailey Floodplain Manager is available to assist with any technical questions you may have about flood insurance policies and coverage. Please call 788-9815, to find out more information

Floodplain Development Regulations

The City of Hailey regulates activities, which occur within the Flood Hazard Overlay District through Section 17.04J of the Zoning Title.

A Flood Hazard Development Permit is required prior to any development within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). This includes additions to existing buildings, any excavation or grading, the construction of new structures, fencing and stream alteration. Some projects may also require approval from the Idaho Department of Water Resources and the Army Corp of Engineers. If you are uncertain if your project would require a permit and/or prior approval, please contact the Floodplain Administrator or Building Departments prior to the commencement of any work.

Importance of Protecting Floodplain Resources

Floodplains provide many benefits and functions, which are valuable to our community. Simply put, a properly functioning floodplain helps reduce flood losses and erosion, improves water quality and wildlife habitat, and provides recreational and educational opportunities.

It is important to remember that even if you are not directly adjacent to the river or creek, your actions could impact the quality of the water. Storm water drains to the waterways and carries with it any pollutants it encounters along the way. Common pollutants, which seriously impact the water quality, include fertilizer, pesticides and oils.

Floodplain Determination

The main watercourses within Hailey are the Big Wood River, Indian Creek and Quigley Creek. If you live or own property near one of these waterways, you may be in the floodplain. FEMA produces a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), which is available for review at the City of Hailey. To find out where your property is in relation to the floodplain, contact the Floodplain Administrator at 208.788.9815 or visit the link below:

Blaine County's Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM)

Elevation Certificates

The City of Hailey also maintains Flood Elevation Certificates for the streets listed below. If an address is not listed, please contact the Community Development at 208.788.9815 ext. 2027.

2nd Avenue

Angela Drive

Aspen Drive

Aspen Valley Drive

Baldy View Drive

Blue Lake Drive

Briarwood Drive

Bullion Street

Carbonate Street

Cedar Street

Cottonwood Street

Croy Street

Della View

Della Vista Drive

Elm Street

Heroic Drive

Kintail Drive

Northridge Drive

Ponderosa Drive

Red Elephant Drive

River Trail Road

Robin Hood Drive

Silver Star Drive

Snowfly Drive

Sunrise Drive

Triumph Drive

Walnut Street

War Eagle Drive

West Meadow Drive

Wolftone Drive

Woodside Boulevard