FAQs • Fife, WA • CivicEngage

What is the 100-year floodplain?: FEMA determines the areas with a 1% potential of flooding from storms throughout the year. These areas are called the 100-year floodplain. FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps detail the 100-year floodplain areas.

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Floodplain Information

1. What is the impact of the floodplain on Fife?: The current 100-year Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain impacts about 10% of Fife’s community. This is based on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) prepared and adopted by FEMA going back to the 1980s.

2. What is the 100-year floodplain?: FEMA determines the areas with a 1% potential of flooding from storms throughout the year. These areas are called the 100-year floodplain. FEMA’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps detail the 100-year floodplain areas.

3. Why are the FEMA Floodplain Maps being revised?

Since many FIRM’s across the country are old, FEMA has been engaged in a nationwide Map Modernization process in updating the floodplain maps in Pierce County. However, FEMA has yet to adopt new maps.

Pierce County is working toward recertifying the Puyallup River levees, but this may take years. Meanwhile, you should think about preparing to protect yourself and your property for a potential flood.

4. How would you find out if you are located in a floodplain?

To find out if you are located in a floodplain, Fife Residents can contact the City of Fife Community Development Department at 253-922-9624 or visit at:
5411 23rd Street E
Fife, WA 98424

Non-Fife Residents should call Pierce County Public Works Surface Water Management at 253-798-2725.

5. Can individuals obtain flood insurance?: The City of Fife has taken steps to be a part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which means the City of Fife agreed to manage flood hazard areas by actively adopting minimum regulatory standards as set forth by FEMA. As part of the City’s participation in the NFIP, individuals are eligible to obtain flood insurance.