Rising Sun clarifies floodplain rules after questions about trailer-park rebuilding

Town officials clarified Jan. 11 that the town is not prohibiting a trailer-park owner from rebuilding but must enforce Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) floodplain and floodway rules that set different rebuilding standards.

An unnamed official told the mayor and commissioners there is a "perception" the town is preventing rebuilding. The official explained that FEMA classifies flood-prone areas into floodplains and floodways; structures in floodplains may be rebuilt if raised at least two feet above the base flood elevation FEMA has determined, but structures in floodways are generally not permitted because moving structures into the channel increases the risk of further flooding.

The speaker said the town is required to enforce those regulations to retain eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program; if the community does not enforce floodplain regulations, the town could lose participation and residents could be unable to purchase federally backed flood insurance for properties in the jurisdiction.

The official emphasized the town's goal is public safety and to ensure insurance availability for residents, not to prevent rebuilding outright, and said staff will continue to enforce applicable floodplain standards and coordinate necessary permitting and elevation requirements with property owners.

The meeting did not record a formal policy change; the remarks were presented as clarification about enforcement and regulatory limits.