(1) Classification. Frequently flooded areas shall be classified as floodways, floodplains and special flood hazard areas. “Floodway” refers to the channel of a stream, plus any adjacent areas, that must be kept free of encroachment in order to discharge the base flood without cumulatively increasing water surface elevation more than one foot. “Floodplain” refers to the area of land that would be covered with water during a flood, and includes the floodway and the special flood hazard area. “Special flood hazard area” means the floodway and adjoining land which is subject to a one percent or greater chance of flooding in any given year, as determined by engineering studies accepted by Clallam County. Coastal high hazard areas are located within special flood hazard areas.

(2) Designation. All lands classified as floodway, or special flood hazard areas in the Federal Emergency Management Agency report titled “The Flood Insurance Study for Clallam County” dated December 5, 1989, as now or hereafter amended, with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate and Boundary Maps, are designated as frequently flooded areas. The study and maps are on file at Clallam County. When base flood elevation data has not been provided in the Flood Insurance Study, the Administrator, or his/her designee, shall obtain, review, and reasonably utilize any base flood elevation and floodway data available from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency, state Department of Ecology, or other qualified source. Where base flood elevation data and floodway delineation is not available either through the Flood Insurance Study or from a qualified source, historical data, high water marks, photographs of past flooding, etc., shall be used to determine base flood elevations. Frequently flooded areas shall not include those lands where a qualified professional pursuant to CCC 27.12.050 determines that Flood Insurance Study maps are in error.