Know Your Flood Hazard

The local streams and rivers in the City of Carver include the Minnesota River, Spring Creek, and Carver Creek.  The history of flooding of these waterways indicates that flooding usually occurs during the spring and summer months of the year.  The area is particularly susceptible to flooding caused by a combination of snowmelt and rainfall.

Not all floods are alike.  Some floods develop slowly, while others can develop quickly with localized heavy rains.  The 100-year flood plain is the area that has a one percent chance of being flooded in any given year, or on the average of once every 100 years.  Put another way, the area has a 25 percent chance of being flooded over the life of a 30-year mortgage.  Smaller floods have a great chance of occurring in any year and can still create a significant flood hazard to people and property close to the waterway.  According to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), more than 25 percent of all flood claims each year come from homes outside areas at high risk for flooding.

Protecting yourself today means preparing your home or workplace, collecting sources of information, developing an emergency communications plan, and knowing what to do when a flood is approaching your home or business.  For more information regarding flooding information and the National Flood Insurance Program, visit www.floodsmart.gov or www.cityofcarver.com/floodplain.

Riverside Park – CLOSED

Due to flooding, Riverside Park has been closed.  Public Services will open Riverside Park, when the water level has receded and the Park is functional and safe to use. Please check the City’s website for updates.
If there are any questions, please contact [email protected].

City Staff Is Working To Improve Carver’s Flood Insurance Ratings

The Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary program under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that allows communities to earn flood insurance premium discounts for their residents and businesses.  Communities earn CRS credit points for activities that promote good flood risk reduction practices and encourage the purchase of flood insurance.  CRS Class Ratings are assigned at 500-point increments, and each improvement in a Class Rating nets an additional five percent flood insurance premium discount.  The CRS Class Ratings range from 1 to 10, with 1 being the highest rating and 10 being the lowest rating.

The City of Carver has participated in the CRS program since 2015 and is currently rated as a Class 7 community, which means residents and businesses get a 15% discount on their flood insurance premiums.  Insurances Services Office, Inc., is working closely with City of Carver staff to achieve the necessary class improvement elements.

Additional information will be published in future newsletters and on the City’s website.  If you have any questions regarding flood insurance and the City certification, contact Mark Pistulka ([email protected] or 952-448-8738), or Erin Smith ([email protected] or 952-448-8743).  Additional information regarding the Flood Insurance Study and Flood Zone Maps can be found HERE.