Denton, Texas– New preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available for review by residents and business owners in Williamson County Officials encourage property owners to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in appeal and comment periods for the maps.
The new flood hazard information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been generated in coordination with local community, and state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) officials. Significant community review has already taken place, including flood risk open houses, where residents and business owners in the affected counties were able to learn more about the new preliminary flood risk information and view the maps.
The detailed digital maps show current flood hazards and replace flood maps that are based on outdated studies and technology. The maps provide more precise flood hazard information for those areas, including places affected by the devastating Memorial Day 2015 floods, Hurricane Harvey flooding and other major floods since 2000.
The deadlines for submitting appeals or comments are:
Appeals – November 13, 2018:
Unincorporated areas of Williamson CountyCities of Georgetown, Granger, Taylor, Thrall and WeirComments – November 13, 2018:
Cities of Jarrell, Bartlett and CouplandAppeals – November 14:
Comments – November 14, 2018:
If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment. They can submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect. An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals must be submitted through the office of the county or local community floodplain administrator.
In addition to viewing the preliminary maps at their local floodplain administrator’s office, residents and business owners may also:
Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-800-427-4661 to learn more about flood insurance. Homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flood. Contact your insurance agent today to purchase a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy as it takes 30 days for the policy to become effective.
The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.
FEMA’s mission: Helping people before, during and after disasters. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
