You may have seen recent news stories about updated flood insurance rate maps for communities across the Upper Chattahoochee River Region, specifically communities in Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton and Gwinnett counties.
Because these stories have raised questions as to what this means for residents in these areas, we want you to know about the purpose of these maps and how they might affect you.
Under congressional guidance and direction, flood maps are being updated for communities across the country. In Georgia, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources have been working closely with county and municipal governments to update maps in the Upper Chattahoochee River Region to make sure the most accurate information is incorporated into the maps.
These updated maps are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data, and the latest science available have been applied to make the maps more accurate.
The ultimate goal is to protect property owners and communities from the risks associated with flooding.
Some communities have submitted more precise data to be included in the maps. In fact, we rely on communities to provide local information so that maps give residents the most accurate picture of their flood risk.
While it may seem unlikely that it would flood in your community, flood risks change over time. This may be due to construction, development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors. These changes can send water flowing in new directions, creating flood risks that didn’t exist previously — precisely why flood maps must be updated periodically.
The historic September 2009 flooding in North Georgia is a reminder that flooding can be devastating — it’s the most common and costliest natural disaster in the U.S. We can protect ourselves by knowing what risks exist in our communities and prepare for them.
The preliminary maps for the Upper Chattahoochee River Region aren’t final yet. There will be a public comment period starting soon during which residents may submit comments and appeals if they can show that the maps are in error. If you live in an area with a new map, visit www.GeorgiaDFIRM.com and look at your preliminary map online or contact your local floodplain manager’s office.
We expect the maps to become effective for flood insurance-rating purposes sometime later in 2012 or early 2013. Even after they are effective, there are processes in place to allow for amendments and revisions if new or more accurate data become available.
Before the maps go into effect, residents and property owners may have options to purchase flood insurance at a reduced rate.
We know that additional expenses can be difficult, but similar to insurance that we purchase to protect ourselves if something were to happen to our cars or our health, flood insurance is designed to protect us from the costly expenses from a flood. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone.
Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance, and www.ready.gov for simple steps you can take to prepare for floods and other emergencies.
Brad Loar is mitigation division director for FEMA for eight Southeastern states. He is based in Atlanta.
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