FEMA on Tuesday officially adopted the flood plain maps redesigned after Hurricane Ike sent a storm surge to the southern part of the county. County Emergency Management Director Joel Ardoin said the process took more than seven years because of the local entities appealing flood zone designations.
Ardoin and FEMA are advising homeowners in low areas to renew their federally-back flood insurance policies now because rates with the new maps will go into effect December 16. The maps will place some areas into flood zones that can make flood insurance cost more. Banks and mortgage companies usually require a homeowner buy flood insurance before financing a house loan.
Ardoin said the coastal areas like Bridge City will be most affected by the changes. The new flood plain maps were calculated before the 2016 Sabine River Flood and Harvey in 2017.
The process for flood plain maps to become final usually takes about three years, Ardoin said. However, because of the protests and appeals from local government entities, the process took more than twice as long.
The new maps were introduced in 2013 and even school districts made appeals. Ardoin said the appeal period is over, but an individual may make an appeal of a piece of property.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
The preliminary maps may also be viewed online now at the following locations:
- The Flood Map Change Viewer at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv
- The FEMA Map Service Center at http://msc.fema.gov/portal
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, visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov, or calling 1-800-427-4661.
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