6th Annual Newcomers' Night
Report to the City Manager on the Stoklosa School Project
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FEMA Releases New Preliminary Flood Maps
FEMA is releasing new maps as part of a larger effort to modernize the nations aging flood maps to reflect the most current flood risks and area of recent growth. Lowell’s new flood maps were developed after an extensive, multi year study of Lowell’s floodplains by FEMA that used state of the art technologies and risk modeling techniques.
Flood hazard maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM’s), indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk. In reviewing the new Lowell maps, some property owners may find that their risk is now higher than they thought, if the risk level for a property changes, so may the requirement to carry flood insurance.
To ensure that all resident and business owners understand the map change process and are aware of their options, a series of educational and outreach activities will be held. A public meeting will be held so that residents can view the new maps, understand how their properties may be affected and lean more about financial steps that they may need to take to protect their investment.
The updated flood maps are still preliminary and have not yet been officially adopted. When adopted the new digital maps will be posted online on Lowell’s website enabling residents to review the flood designation of their individual properties by simply typing in their address.
If you feel there has been an error, you can file a protest or appeal.
The maps that were just released are still known as preliminary. Starting in January 2008 and running through April 2008 there will be a public comment period. This is the time when citizens will have an opportunity to submit technical and/or scientific data to file a protest regarding their individual property, or an appeal regarding the accuracy of the mapping process in general. To learn more about filing an appeal visit www.fema.com
When do the maps become effective?
Once the appeals and protests are reviewed and once any need map changes are incorporated, FEMA will issue a Letter of Final Determination. Six months later, approximately spring 2009, an ordinance approving the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map will be adopted. The maps will then become effective, as will any new flood insurance requirements. However, please be aware that starting immediately these flood hazard maps will be used in helping to determine requirements for construction and development.
For more information on floods check out the links below: