National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
Upper Allen Township is a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). As such, the Township agrees to abide by federal rules and regulations designed to protect the community from some effects of flooding.
Several areas within the Township are located within federally recognized floodplains and are subject to restrictions on development and use. In return for our participation in this program, property owners are eligible to obtain flood insurance from the federal government (typically issued through an independent insurance broker).
Since the Township participates in the NFIP, we are required to govern regulations regarding development in floodplain areas. Chapter 245, Article XVII of the Township Zoning Ordinance identifies what restrictions apply when developing within a floodplain.
Please check with the Community Development Department before beginning any work in a floodplain or near any waterways such as creeks and streams. If your project does involve development in the floodplain, a Floodplain Supplement to Building & Zoning Permit Application must be submitted with your building and/or zoning permit application. The supplemental form can be found on our Applications page.
2019-2023 Map Updates
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, is in the process of updating its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The purpose of updating these products is to reflect new Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) and floodplain boundaries for Cumberland County communities. Preliminary FIRM panels and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are available for review on FEMAâs Map Service Center website. As a result of the updates, some floodplain boundary areas will change, causing properties that were once outside of a floodplain area to be located within a floodplain area.
What Has Changed?
Floodplain boundaries have changed throughout the Township. What this means for residents is that some properties currently identified in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) will be removed, while other properties currently in a lower risk zone such as âXâ will now be in a SFHA. The Township will send letters out to the affected property owners in the coming weeks.
Additional Information
Township staff and officials, Cumberland County staff, and representatives from FEMA will be working together to discuss and review the upcoming FIRM and FIS changes.  The Township will continue to provide additional information to residents as it becomes available. Â
FEMA hosted a public open house event on Wednesday, November 6, 2019 where residents were invited to come view the maps and have their questions answered by FEMA staff. The meeting was held at the Cumberland County Planning Department offices at 310 Allen Road (Conference Room B), Carlisle, PA 17013. FEMA staff, County staff, and insurance specialists were present to answer questions.Â
FEMA held a formal public appeal period beginning on February 4, 2020. During the public appeal period, residents had the opportunity to submit technical and/or scientific data to file a protest regarding their individual property, or an appeal regarding the accuracy of the mapping process in general. Â
The 90-day public appeal period for the draft Flood Rate Insurance Maps (FIRMs) began on February 4, 2020 and concluded on May 4, 2020. Floodplain changes are available to view here: Cumberland County Planning Department Floodplain Maps. If you have questions about the FIRMs or the appeal process, you may contact FEMA at 1-877-336-2627 or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Update: FEMAâs next step is to revise the preliminary maps based on information provided to them during the 90-day appeal period. FEMA anticipates the maps will become available to municipalities around October 30, 2020. If there are no further changes on FEMAâs end, they anticipated the map revisions would become effective around February 25, 2022. All dates are tentative and subject to change at any time, and as of March 2, 2022 the Township has not received any notice from FEMA. Â
Update: 04/07/22. Revised preliminary maps are tentatively scheduled to arrive to the county by the end of June 2022. Another appeal process is likely, given the results gathered during the previous appeals. The next 90-day appeal period for these revised maps will most likely occur in the Fall 2022. Once the appeal period ends and the maps are finalized, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination, to which the maps will go effective six months afterwards. The expected timeline in which the maps will be finalized is Spring 2023. All dates are tentative and subject to change at any time.
Update 04/11/22. A second appeal period will not take place. The revised preliminary maps arriving in June 2022 are to resolve the appeals submitted during the last regulatory appeal period. FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination around October or November 2022, which will go in effect six months afterwards. The estimated timeline in which the maps will be finalized is May 2023. Until the new floodplains become effective, municipalities have the option of managing to the most restrictive BFE provided by FEMA. All dates are tentative and subject to change at any time.
Update 10/13/22. The Letter of Final Determination (LFD) is tentatively scheduled for December 21, 2022, with an effective date of June 21, 2023. These dates are subject to change at any time.
Update 01/03/23. The Letter of Final Determination (LFD) that was tentatively scheduled for release on December 21, 2022 has been delayed by FEMA without explanation. We will update this page once FEMA provides a new LFD date.
Update: 01/20/23: FEMA is expected to issue the Letter of Final Determination (LFD) in March 2023. This date is subject to change at any time.
Update: 03/09/23: FEMA has issued its Letter of Final Determination (LFD). The revised Preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) will become effective on September 7, 2023. Prior to the effective date, FEMA will provide the Township with final printed copies of the FIS report and FIRM. Once received, this site will be updated so anyone wishing to view the information may do so at the Township Building.
Pending Ordinance
Prior to the September 7, 2023 effective date, municipalities are required to adopt a Floodplain Ordinance and Floodplain Map. The Township currently has floodplain regulations within its Zoning Ordinance, which can be found in Article X of Chapter 245 (Zoning Ordinance).  However, the Township must amend its current floodplain regulations to comply with new standards set by FEMA and other state regulatory agencies. A draft ordinance is posted below for review. There will be opportunities to discuss the ordinance during the public meeting/hearing process. Public meeting/hearing dates and times will be posted as they become known. Please check back periodically for updates.
Draft Ordinance:Â Draft Floodplain Ordinance Revised 05/2023
Public meetings/hearings to discuss the Floodplain Ordinance:
- Planning Commission to discuss ordinance: Reviewed on 04/24/23. Continued discussion on 05/22/23. Planning Commission recommended approval of the ordinance on 05/22/23.
- Board of Commissioners’ meeting to discuss ordinance: Date TBD
- Public Hearing to receive testimony regarding the ordinance: Date TBD
- Board of Commissioners’ meeting to consider adoption of the ordinance: Date TBD
Map Information
You may view the floodplain changes on Cumberland Countyâs Planning Department page here: Cumberland County Planning Department Floodplain Maps. If you would like to learn more about FEMA, floodplain management, and if your property is or proposed to be within a designated floodplain area, click here to be redirected to FEMAâs Map Service Center website.
 Floodplain changes are available to view here: Cumberland County Planning Department Floodplain Maps. If you have questions about the FIRMs or the appeal process, you may contact FEMA at 1-877-336-2627 or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
 Click on the following files to view additional information from FEMA.
If you would like to submit an appeal, all appeal information, including applicable scientific or technical data, shall be submitted to the Community Development Department at the Township building. The Township will then submit all appeals and supporting data to FEMA before the end of the 90-day appeal period. The 90-day appeal period is statutory and cannot be extended by FEMA. For more information on the criteria for appeals, view the Criteria for Appeals and Appeal Comment Process. Â
This page will be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check back periodically.Â
Posted: 07/11/2019. Previous updates: 03/03/22, 04/07/22, 10/13/22, 01/03/23, 1/20/23, 03/09/23, 03/27/23, 04/11/23, and 05/02/23. Last updated: 05/23/23.
2009 Map Updates
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the NFIP, compiled updated maps for Cumberland County in 2009. FEMA used modern technology to better identify the location of floodplain boundaries, which are shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM).
As a result, some floodplain boundary areas changed causing properties that were once outside of a floodplain area to be located within a floodplain area.
If you would like to learn more about FEMA, floodplain management, and if your property is within a designated floodplain area, click here to be redirected to FEMAâs website. You may also stop by the Community Development Department to view paper copies of the Townshipâs FIRM maps.
