The City of Forest Hills has three water bodies within its corporate city limits. This includes Richland Creek, Otter Creek, and Sugartree Creek. The City participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and has implemented best practices to proactively reduce the risk of future flooding. 

The NFIP requires:

• Elevation of new and substantially improved residential structures above the base flood level.

• Elevation or dry floodproofing (made watertight) of new or substantially improved non-residential structures.

• Prohibition of development in floodways, the central portion of a riverine floodplain needed to carry deeper and faster moving water.

• Additional requirements to protect buildings in coastal areas from the impacts of waves, high velocity, and storm surge.

FEMA uses flood hazard mapping to identify areas to be considered in the floodway and floodplain. To find out more about the methodology for determination or to dispute a flood zone designation, visit FEMA's website.