Beatrice, Nebraska

Project Description 

After major floods on the Big Blue River in 1973 and 1984, the City of Beatrice instituted its own voluntary acquisition project for residential structures. After another flood in 1993, the City continued to acquire flood-prone structures with funding from FEMA HMGP and FEMA FMA Program.

Beatrice was the first community in the nation to receive a grant from FEMA's FMA Program after a flood mitigation plan was completed. This funded the acquisition of 12 residential structures in the Big Blue River floodplain.                                                                                           

To date, Beatrice has almost completed the goal of removing all of the residential structures in the city's regulated floodplain. The majority of the remaining insurable structures are commercial. Of the 16 repetitive loss structures in the City, 14 have been acquired and demolished. Most of the acquired open space is being used for athletic fields and parks. A hiking and biking path is planned to be constructed in the future.

Benefits

_ No more federal disaster assistance will be paid for these properties ever again.

_ Only open space uses that are compatible with flood storage will be permitted.

_ Reduction of flood clean-up, fire department/law enforcement overtime for flood duty and rescue.

_ Increased public safety.

_ Increased natural habitat for wildlife.

_ Increased wetland acreage.

_ Creation of natural buffer strip (riparian corridor) which increases water quality.

_ The mitigation planning initiative led Beatrice to be selected as Nebraska's first Project Impact community.

Costs and Funding Sources

Total cost of the project (including demolition) = $370,000

_ FEMA FMA Program funds were first received in 1997 and were used to acquire 12 homes at 75% = $277,500

_ City of Beatrice funding at 25% = $92,500