630 miles of storm sewer carry stormwater from more than 53,000 stormwater inlets serving Kansas City. In addition, KC Water maintains a flood risk management system that includes 13.5 miles of levee and floodwall, operates 15 flood pump stations, and maintains six detention basins. On an annual basis, the stormwater utility cleans 18,000 storm inlets, repairs and replaces 300 catch basins, and sweeps over 14,000 miles of stormwater gutters.
The the Stormwater Fee covers the cost of stormwater planning and maintenance of the stormwater system. It cannot be used to expand the system (new construction). The Stormwater Fee also pays for Street Sweeping, Leaf and Brush Pickup three times per year, and part of the cost of the Hazardous Household Waste program.
Stormwater is a natural resource and each property owner can collect the stormwater that falls on their property. The City has a storm drainage collection system. The City also has regulations concerning the impacts that individuals can have on the storm drainage system including how much can be discharged and limitations on development in streams that could impact adjacent property owners.
The City considers there to be four primary ways that a property could flood. A property can be flooded by one or more of these flood types. The majority of properties in Kansas City are at risk from at least one of these types of flooding.
Source
Affect
1. Floodplain
Water rising out of the creek and goes into your property.
2. Hillside Drainage
Water trying to get to the creek and goes through your property.
3. Groundwater
Water seeps through the ground, hits bedrock, and flows
underground to your basement.
4. Sewer Backup
Water enters the wastewater lines, either through seepage or
through the combined sewer, and backs up into your house.
Visit the City’s parcel viewer to see your risk from Type 1 – Floodplain flooding. If your property is not within the identified floodplains, your risk is unidentified.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) provide resources to help understand and manage flood risk.
Become educated
Look at the City’s Parcel Viewer to understand your risk from river flooding.
Look around your property. Does the ground slope towards any of your structures? Is there land near you that is higher than your property? If so, you may be at risk.
Review the Quick Guide from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency for detailed information about understanding river flooding.
Purchase Flood Insurance
Anyone can purchase flood insurance. Visit FEMA’s website for more information.
The City manages flooplains through the Development Codes, constructs public projects to help reduce the risk from flooding, and, in some cases, assists with flooding issues on private property. To request a project in your neighborhood, submit an application to the Public Improvements Advisory Committee.