Why this flood and tsunami safety law exists

A. Within the County of Maui, certain areas are subject to periodic inundation by flooding or tsunami or both, resulting in loss of life and property, creation of health and safety hazards, disruption of commerce and governmental services, as well as extraordinary public expenditures for flood and tsunami protection and relief, and impairment of the tax base, all of which adversely affect public health, safety, and general welfare. B. The flood losses are caused by the cumulative effect of obstructions in areas of special flood hazard that increase flood heights and velocities, and when inadequately anchored, damage uses in other areas. Uses that are inadequately floodproofed, elevated, or otherwise protected from flood damage also contribute to flood loss. C. Congress has determined that regulation of construction in areas subject to flood hazards is necessary for the protection of life and property and reduction of public costs for flood control, rescue, and relief efforts, which promote the safety, health, convenience, and general welfare of the community. In order to achieve these purposes, this chapter establishes flood hazard areas and imposes restrictions on man-made changes to improved and unimproved real estate within the areas. These restrictions are necessary to qualify the County of Maui for participation in the federal flood insurance program. D. Failure to participate in the program would substantially increase the cost of flood insurance to individual residential and commercial property owners and result in the denial of federal financial assistance. E. This chapter is designed to: 1. Protect human life and health, and promote the general welfare. 2. Minimize expenditure of public money for costly flood control projects. 3. Minimize the need for rescue and relief efforts associated with flooding and generally undertaken at the expense of the general public. 4. Minimize prolonged business interruptions. 5. Minimize damage to public facilities and utilities such as water and gas mains, electric, telephone and sewer lines, streets, and bridges located in areas of special flood hazard. 6. Help maintain a stable tax base by providing for the sound use and development of areas of special flood hazard. 7. Ensure that those who occupy the areas of special flood hazard assume responsibility for their actions. ( Ord. No. 5603 , § 3, 2024)