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Portsmouth, Virginia, Cade of t3rdinances: PART II -CODE -Chapter 14.1 FLOOD PROTECTION <br />(c} Use and interpretation ofFlRMs. The Fooodplain Administrator shall make interpretations, where <br />needed, as to the exact location of special Rood hazard areas, floodplain boundaries, and floodway <br />boundaries. The following shalt apply to the use and interpretation of FIRMs and data: <br />(1 } Where field survey topography indicates that adjacent ground elevations: <br />a. Are below the base flood elevation, even in areas not delineated as a special flood hazard <br />area on a FIRM, the area shall be considered as special flood hazard area and subject to the <br />requirements of these regulations; <br />b. Are above the base flood elevation, the area shall be regulated as special flood hazard area <br />unless the applicant obtains a Letter of Map Change that removes the area from the SFHA. <br />(2} In FEMA-identified special flood hazard areas where base flood elevation and floodway data have <br />not been identified and in areas where FEMA has not identified SFHAs, any other flood hazard <br />data available from a Federal, State, or other source shall be reviewed and reasonably used. <br />(3} Base flood elevations and designated floodway boundaries on FIRMS and in FISs shall take <br />precedence over base flood elevations and floodway boundaries by any other sources if such <br />sources show reduced floodway widths and/or lower base flood elevations. <br />(4} Other sources of data shall be reasonably used if such sources show increased base flood <br />elevations and/or larger floodway areas than are shown on FIRMS and in FISs. <br />(5J If a Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map and/or a Preliminary Flood insurance Study has been <br />provided by FEMA: <br />a. Upon the issuance of a Letter of Final Determination by FEMA, the preliminary flood hazard <br />data shall be used and shall replace the flood hazard data previously provided from FEMA for <br />the purposes of administering these regulations. <br />b. Prior to the issuance of a Letter of Final Determination by FEMA, the use of preliminary flood <br />hazard data shall be deemed the best available data pursuant to Section 14,1-11(b}(3}(a} and <br />used where no base flood elevations and/or floodway areas are provided on the effective <br />FIRM. <br />c. Prior to issuance of a Letter of Final Determination by FEMA, the use of preliminary flood <br />hazard data is permitted where the preliminary base flood elevations or floodway areas <br />exceed the base flood elevations and/or designated floodway widths in existing flood hazard <br />data provided by FEMA. Such preliminary data may be subject to change and/or appeal to <br />FEMA. <br />(d } Jurisdictional boundary changes. <br />(1 } The City floodplain ordinance in effect on the date of annexation shall remain. in effect and shall <br />be enforced by the City for all annexed areas until the City adopts and enforces an ordinance <br />which meets the requirements for participation in the National Food Insurance Program. The City <br />shall pass a resolution acknowledging and accepting responsibility far enforcing floodplain <br />ordinance standards prior to annexation of any area containing identified flood hazards. If the <br />25 <br />