FEMA issuing revised flood insurance rate maps
The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Monday it will be releasing flood insurance rate maps, including revised preliminary maps and flood insurance studies for York and Cumberland counties on April 14.
The flood hazard maps indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk. If the risk level for a property changes, so may the requirement to carry flood insurance.
“In reviewing the revised maps for Cumberland and York counties, many property owners may find that their risk of flooding is higher or lower than they thought,” FEMA stated in its news release.
The revised preliminary flood insurance rate maps, also called FIRMs, will be available online for public review after that date, FEMA stated. The revisions incorporate updated delineations of riverine flood hazard areas, using Light Detection and Ranging topographic data that is newer and more accurate than the elevation data used in the original study.
New model-backed flood hazard areas for some inland riverine areas in Cumberland and York counties also were incorporated, as well as updates to the coastal flood studies in some locations.
Public comment period to follow
The comment and appeals period for the York and Cumberland counties' flood maps will be announced at a later date.
Communities will receive notification of a statutory 90-day comment/appeal period, which is estimated to take place over the summer of 2017. During this period, the public or any interested party may comment on or appeal the mapping analysis by presenting scientific or technical data supporting their position. Following resolution of any comments or appeals received, the FIRMs and flood insurance studies will go through final quality reviews and are projected to become effective in the summer of 2018.
“Community officials and residents should look at the revised preliminary flood maps to become familiar with the flood risks in their community and to see whether the flood zone has changed around their property,” FEMA stated.
Editor's note: This story has been revised to correct an error in an earlier version of this story regarding the statutory 90-day comment/appeal period. We regret any difficulties resulting from that error.
Most Recent
Most Recent
Comments