FEMA is currently in the process of moderning the official Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that show the 100-year flood boundaries, also known as the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). The SFHA is the area with a 1% or greater chance of flooding annually. FEMA has released the preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs). These DFIRMs will replace the current FIRMs. In some areas, the SFHA boundaries have been changed and include new area.
Some Otsego County property owners may find that that at least a portion of their parcel may be located within the SFHA in the DFIRMs, when it was not previously. Structures built in the SFHA have a higher risk of being damaged in flood events. The majority of these structures are required by mortgage lenders to have a flood insurance policy.
Property owners may already be aware that their parcel is in the SFHA and may have taken appropriate steps, such as purchasing flood insurance; however, in some areas new mapping has expanded the floodplain to include new properties. Lists of parcels and structures that have been identified in the expanded flood plain areas can be found to the left.
The determination that certain parcels are within the SFHA is based the DFIRMs for Otsego County. Otsego County municipalities are in the process of reviewing and commenting on the DFIRMs and will eventually be required to adopt the new map(s) as law. This review process will take several months. The maps are expected to be made final in late 2010.
If you have a mortgage and are now newly required to purchase flood insurance based on the DFIRMs, it is in your best interest to do so before the maps are adopted by your community. ******A policy purchased before the adoption date will receive reduced rates.******
Talk to your Code Enforcement Officer or building inspector about minimizing flood risk and visit www.fema.gov/areyouready/flood.shtm and www.floods.org.
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