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FEMA updates flood insurance rate maps; Appeals process available
Nov. 14, 2011
Contact: C. Ashley Couch, PE, CFM,
Stormwater Manager and Floodplain Administrator,
(480) 312-4317, acouch@ScottsdaleAZ.gov
FEMA updates flood insurance rate maps; Appeals process available
Owners and tenants of property preliminarily identified as lying in “special flood hazard areas” can appeal the accuracy of the data used for the designation. The data determines whether owners will be required to purchase flood insurance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) periodically updates flood insurance rate maps. Updates reflect better data or flood hazard mitigation projects that have been completed.
The proposed new flood insurance rate maps identify about 700 properties north of Lone Mountain Road that are located within a special flood hazard area. Because of this new designation, affected property owners will be required to purchase flood insurance if they have a federally-backed mortgage.
FEMA uses base flood elevations to establish special flood hazard areas. A base flood elevation is the level of floodwater that has a 1 percent chance of occurrence in any given year.
Owners and tenants of affected properties wanting to appeal the proposed base flood elevations can do so until Jan. 18, 2012. Appeals must be based on scientific or technical data. The city will review all appeals before forwarding them to FEMA. That agency will make the final determination on the outcome of an appeal.
Affected property verification and appeal process information is available at www.scottsdaleaz.gov/stormwater/appeals.
FEMA is slated to adopt the updated flood insurance rate maps after public appeals are addressed. This should be completed in late 2012 or early 2013.
The city is mailing postcards to newly-affected property owners and tenants advising them of the appeals process.
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