FEMA has released preliminary flood plain maps for use to establish flood insurance rates for Orange County. Citizens have until January 19 to submit comments or appeals or comments.
The federal government has provided flood insurance for the country for more than 50 years. The flood risk hazard maps are recalculated about every 10 years. Orange County has had a river flood and three hurricanes since the last maps.
The maps cover the cities of Bridge City, Orange, Pine Forest, Pinehurst, Rose City, Vidor, West Orange, and the unincorporated county areas.
Maps are available online or for view at the office of county Flood Plain Administrator Lisa Roberts. Her office is at the Orange County Expo Center on FM 1442. The number is 409-745-1463.
The Flood Insurance Rate Maps, known as FIRMs, will be adjusted after the final maps are calculated. The appeals and written comments will be considered in the final maps.
FEMA said residents will neeAd technical data to submit an appeal. FEMA said the appeals are to dispute modeling or data that has been used. An appeal must have technical information like hydraulic or hydrologic data for support.
Proposed projects like the Orange County flood prevention levee system under study by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers cannot be used for appeals.
Orange County Judge John Gothia has said the that when the levee system is completed, flood insurance rates in the county could be lowered. The levee system will include pumping stations to help move water flow during heavy rains.
The Flood Map Change Viewer can be accessed at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
The FEMA Map Service Center is at http://msc.fema.gov/portal.
Information about flood insurance is at https://www.floodsmart.gov.
For more information about the flood maps:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon)
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood. There are cost saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.
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