Supervisors approve flood plain ordinance

The Henry County Board of Supervisors approved the first reading of an ordinance to manage and secure flood plain areas in Henry County.

The ordinance states, “The Legislature of the State of Iowa has in Chapter 335, Code of Iowa, as amended, delegated the power to counties to enact zoning regulations to secure safety from flood and to promote health and the general welfare.”

This ordinance will follow guidelines and standards set by the Department of Natural Resources.

Its purpose is “to protect and preserve the rights, privileges, and property of Henry County and its residents and to preserve and improve peace, safety, health, welfare, and comfort and convenience of its residents by minimizing those flood losses.”

The county will strive to reserve a feeble area for water flow, reducing flood heights and flood flow.

They will prohibit uses that are dangerous to health, safety or property in times of flooding.

Public facilities must be protected against flood damage at the time of their construction or improvements.

Individuals will be protected from buying lands that may be impacted or subject to flooding.

The final purpose is to assure that property owners continue to hold eligibility to purchase flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program.

Along with the entire ordinance, additional information can be found on Henry County’s official website at https://henrycounty.iowa.gov.

Comments: hunter.moeller@southeastiowaunion.com