The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has collected detailed ground elevation information and conducted thorough technical reviews to update flood zone maps that are the basis for flood insurance requirements.
"We encourage Sedgwick County residents to review the preliminary flood maps and to be familiar with risks within their community," said Scott Lindebak, drainage engineer for the City of Wichita Storm Water Management division. "These maps can help residents make informed decisions about flood insurance and flood protection."
The preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps are the result of an extensive study of seven major watersheds in Sedgwick County and over 19 years of revisions to the previous flood maps. The flood maps will be available at each community’s City Hall and the Sedgwick County Bureau of Public Services office at 1144 South Seneca.
A 90-day appeal period for the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) began on November 17, 2005. The appeal process is for all 18 Sedgwick County communities, which participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, and encompasses the entire county.
Residents and property owners may submit scientific or technical information if they believe the revised flood maps contain errors. Appeals are to be submitted in writing through the communities to FEMA. The appeals must be received and submitted by the community no later than Feb. 15, 2006. After resolving any appeals, FEMA will notify communities, insurance companies and residents of the effective date of the final maps.
When the flood maps are finalized and made effective, some flood insurance policyholders may see changes in their policies. Policyholders should contact their insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage and that the policies reflect the new flood risk information. More information on flood insurance is available at http://www.floodsmart.gov/.
Many landowners have obtained exceptions to the FEMA flood maps since they were published in 1986. Most of these map revisions will be revalidated free of charge after the revised Federal Insurance Rate Maps take effect. However, some exceptions have been superseded by the new flood hazard information and will no longer be in effect. Each community’s floodplain manager will have a table of the map exceptions that will be incorporated, require revalidation or will be superseded.
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