One Town, Two NFIP Communities

Every year, more communities are choosing to join the NFIP so residents and businesses can protect themselves from flood losses. As of August 31, 2007, there were 5,521,052 NFIP policyholders in 20,376 communities participating in the Program. One of the towns that joined the NFIP in 2006 brought two communities into the Program.

“The Little Town Too Big for One State” reads the motto for the Greater Delmar Chamber of Commerce. The Mason-Dixon Line runs through the heart of this community with the northern part of town located in Delaware and the southern part in Maryland.

Situated between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic coast, Delmar was established in 1859 as a railhead for the Baltimore, Chesapeake, and Atlantic Railway Company. Throughout its history, Delmar has operated as one community, although the town is now governed by a joint council composed of local officials representing each State who pass parallel, identical legislation.

On July 31, 2006, the Delmar Joint Council passed the floodplain management ordinances necessary for enrollment in the NFIP. Two identical ordinances were submitted to FEMA containing the signatures and seal of the Mayor and council of Delmar, Delaware, and those of Delmar, Maryland. The Delaware part of Delmar is now NFIP community 100059, and the Maryland part of Delmar is now NFIP community 240186.

For additional information about community participation in the NFIP, contact the State Coordinating Agency designated for this purpose. A list of State Floodplain Managers and their coordinating agencies is available on the website of the Association of State Floodplain Managers.