PRELIMINARY FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAPS AVAILABLE

By Ella Tyler

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which issues flood plain maps used for determining flood insurance rates, has settled all appeals and protests of its maps. FEMA will be issuing a Letter of Final Determination in mid July. Communities in Harris County that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program will have six months once the letter is issued to change their ordinances to conform to the new maps – at which time the preliminary flood insurance rate maps will become effective and flood insurance rates and requirements will be determined using the new maps.

Preliminary maps do not affect flood insurance requirements or costs until the maps are final. Those who purchase flood insurance now may benefit from a grandfathering provision, which can help reduce an individual’s insurance cost. Sales of flood insurance are suspended when certain weather conditions, such as tropical storms in the Gulf of Mexico, make losses likely.

The preliminary maps can be viewed at the Tropical Storm Allison Recovery Project website and there is a hotline to answer questions about the new maps: (713)722-7227.

If you are interested in finding out what you can do to help reduce flooding, the Bayou Preservation Association website has reports from the group’s seminars on low impact development and “community flood control begins at home.”