Public Review: New Flood Insurance Rate Maps

This information comes courtesy of the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released updated, digital flood insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) for public review and comment prior to their final adoption.  The maps show the extent to which areas throughout Pasco County are at risk for flooding. Flood insurance and building requirements will be determined using these new maps.  The new maps replace maps that are up to 20 years old.

Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information
about their flood risk on a property-by-property basis.  The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data to help community planners, engineers, builders and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built.  The maps can be viewed online at http://www.pascocountyfl.net/?nid=1010

A series of Open House meetings are also being held to review the maps. One is in Land O' Lakes:

Saturday, November 9, 2013
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Land O'Lakes Branch Library
2818 Collier Parkway
Land O' Lakes, FL 34639

Comment and Appeal Period: October 16, 2013 through January 14, 2014

The proposed DFIRMs incorporate updated aerials, topography and the updated
watershed studies within the Pinellas Anclote (east of Suncoast Parkway), Cypress Creek, Trout Creek and East Pasco watersheds. Other areas of the County and the municipalities were re-delineated based on the paper maps now in use.

In reviewing the new Pasco County maps, many property owners may find that
their flood risk is higher or lower than they thought.  If the flood risk level for a property changes, flood insurance and building standards requirements can change as well.

At any of the Open houses the new maps can be viewed and information obtained on how properties may be affected.

The updated DFIRMs are still preliminary and have not yet been officially adopted.

A Public Comment and Appeal Period in which property owners can submit appeals and comments to correct discrepancies in the proposed DFIRMs will be conducted from October 16, 2013 to January 14, 2014.  Once all comments and appeals are addressed, the maps are anticipated to become effective in the Fall of 2014. At that time, the new flood insurance requirements will also take effect.

Everyone can learn more about the flood map modernization project and view the new preliminary DFIRMs at:

Individuals with questions about the local map update efforts can also call the Stormwater Management Division at (727) 834-3611 or via email at floodinfo@pascocountyfl.net .

For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.gov.