Kendall County’s 2024 Flood Risk Assessment Reveals Critical Need for Sump Pump Protection in New Subdivisions
As Kendall County, Illinois continues to experience rapid suburban growth, new FEMA flood mapping updates and stormwater management requirements are reshaping how developers and homeowners approach flood protection. The 2024 flood risk assessment has highlighted the critical importance of proper drainage systems, particularly sump pump installations, in the county’s expanding residential developments.
Understanding Kendall County’s Flood Risk Landscape
The Kendall County stormwater management ordinance is enabled by 55 ILCS 5/5-1062 and includes a permit system. The design storm used for the stormwater conveyance system is the 100-year (1% annual chance) event (total precipitation over a 24-hour period that is expected to occur on average once every 100 years). The retention/detention requirements include the total precipitation over a 24-hour period that is expected to occur on average once every 100 years (100-year, 24-hour storm event). This rigorous standard reflects the county’s commitment to flood prevention in an era of increasing development pressure.
Illinois has one of the largest inland systems of rivers, lakes and streams in the United States. Nearly 15% of our total land area (or 7,400 square miles) is subject to flooding. We are very flood prone, making proper flood mitigation systems essential for new construction throughout the region.
New FEMA Map Updates and Their Impact
The updated FEMA flood maps provide crucial information for property owners and developers in Kendall County. FEMA flood maps are continually updated through a variety of processes. Effective information that you download or print from this site may change or become superseded by new maps over time. These ongoing updates ensure that flood risk assessments reflect current environmental conditions and development patterns.
Effective products are the official regulatory products as adopted by FEMA and a given local community for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The products are intended to be used as the basis for official actions required by the NFIP. For homeowners in Kendall County, understanding these maps is crucial for determining appropriate flood protection measures.
Growing Subdivisions and Stormwater Challenges
Kendall County’s rapid development brings unique stormwater management challenges. Development is broadly defined as any activity that has potential for adverse effect on adjacent properties due to changes in stormwater runoff. To protect upstream and downstream land owners from adverse impact of development activities. These impacts relate to stormwater quantity (flooding), soil erosion control, and floodplain and wetland protection.
New subdivisions must comply with strict stormwater permits and engineering requirements. Many projects, such as ponds, berms, shore stabilization where more than 43,500 square feet of ground is disturbed or three feet of fill is placed, require a Stormwater Permit. This regulatory framework ensures that new developments don’t exacerbate flooding issues for existing properties.
The Critical Role of Sump Pumps in Flood Prevention
For homeowners in Kendall County’s growing subdivisions, sump pumps serve as the first line of defense against basement flooding. A sump pump is a submersible device installed in a pit (sump basin) in the lowest part of a basement or crawlspace. Its primary function is to pump out excess water that accumulates in the sump basin, preventing flooding and water damage.
Given Illinois’ flood-prone nature, proper sump pump installation Kendall County residents can rely on becomes essential, especially during periods of heavy rainfall and spring snowmelt. During periods of heavy rainfall, the soil around your home can become saturated, leading to excess water seeping into the basement. A sump pump prevents this water from accumulating and causing flooding.
Professional Installation and Maintenance Requirements
The importance of professional sump pump installation cannot be overstated in Kendall County’s challenging flood environment. Flotek Plumbing, based in St. Charles and serving the greater Chicagoland area, understands the specific needs of Kane County residents. Flotek Plumbing is a five-star rated, full-service plumbing contractor servicing St. Charles, IL, and the Chicago Suburbs. Our team of licensed, bonded, and insured plumbers have extensive experience in residential and commercial plumbing installation, maintenance, and repair.
Residential services include: 24/7 Emergency Plumbing Service, Water Heater Installation & Repair, Sump Pump Systems, Sump Pump Battery Backup Systems, Faucet Servicing, Toilet Repair, Garbage Disposal Repair, Frozen & Burst Pipes, Water Lines, Fixture Installation & Repair, Drain Cleaning Pipe Repair & Replacement, ensuring comprehensive flood protection solutions for area homeowners.
Insurance Considerations and Flood Protection
Understanding flood insurance requirements is crucial for Kendall County homeowners. Standard homeowners policies do cover some types of sudden and accidental water damage and/or mold, including burst pipes, and sometimes sewer back up or sump pump failure if you have that coverage. However, Flood insurance is a type of property insurance that can cover losses for damage to your property and its contents during a flood event. Flood insurance is NOT typically included in most homeowners and renters insurance policies and must be purchased as an additional policy.
Preparing for Future Flood Events
As Kendall County continues to grow, proactive flood preparation becomes increasingly important. It’s important to note that sump pumps all fail at some point. So, you need a backup one. This redundancy is particularly crucial in areas experiencing rapid development and changing drainage patterns.
Regular maintenance and professional inspection of sump pump systems help ensure reliable operation when flooding threatens. Conduct periodic tests to ensure the pump activates and pumps water properly. Pour water into the sump pit to trigger the float switch and observe the pump in action.
With Kendall County’s commitment to comprehensive stormwater management and the availability of professional installation services from companies like Flotek Plumbing, residents in growing subdivisions can protect their investments through proper flood mitigation planning. As development continues throughout the county, understanding FEMA flood maps, local stormwater requirements, and the critical role of sump pump systems will remain essential for maintaining safe, dry homes in this rapidly expanding region.