New FEMA flood plain maps could affect homeowners in your town
In 2008, FEMA issued revised flood plain maps to states, counties, cities and towns, with a deadline of June 2011 to adopt them and implement new federal building regulations for flood zones. This is the first time the flood zone maps have been redrawn since 1977, and some communities are seeing their high risk zone more than double.
If the local government does not accept and implement the new federal flood plain standards, it will not be eligible to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available. Homes and businesses in high-risk zones are required to have flood insurance if they have federally backed mortgages. Nearly 20,000 communities across the country participate in the NFIP.
Non-participation in the National Flood Insurance Program would leave communities ineligible for FEMA help after not only floods, but tornadoes, hurricanes – any type of weather-related disaster.
The implications for homeowners could be significant.
While some property owners will need to get flood insurance when their properties are included in the flood risk zone for the first time, others will suddenly find themselves outside the risk zone.
Some communities are accepting the maps, others are appealing them and submitting their own revisions.
* How are your communities reacting to the new maps?
* How have your local flood zones changed?
* As you pull the story together, share the news on Facebook and Twitter, and ask people to let you know if their homes or businesses will be affected, and tell them you want to use their input for your story.
New FEMA flood plain maps could affect homeowners in your town
In 2008, FEMA issued revised flood plain maps to states, counties, cities and towns, with a deadline of June 2011 to adopt them and implement new federal building regulations for flood zones. This is the first time the flood zone maps have been redrawn since 1977, and some communities are seeing their high risk zone more than double.
If the local government does not accept and implement the new federal flood plain standards, it will not be eligible to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available. Homes and businesses in high-risk zones are required to have flood insurance if they have federally backed mortgages. Nearly 20,000 communities across the country participate in the NFIP.
Non-participation in the National Flood Insurance Program would leave communities ineligible for FEMA help after not only floods, but tornadoes, hurricanes – any type of weather-related disaster.
The implications for homeowners could be significant.
While some property owners will need to get flood insurance when their properties are included in the flood risk zone for the first time, others will suddenly find themselves outside the risk zone.
Some communities are accepting the maps, others are appealing them and submitting their own revisions.
* How are your communities reacting to the new maps?
* How have your local flood zones changed?
* As you pull the story together, share the news on Facebook and Twitter, and ask people to let you know if their homes or businesses will be affected, and tell them you want to use their input for your story.
