At the instruction of Congress, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) was given the task of modernizing and updating the Nation's flood hazard identification maps and revalidating all floodplain areas and flood risk zones. Congress has directed FEMA to do this at least once every five years. Flood maps are an essential tool for mitigating flood risk. The maps are used to determine premium rates for the National Flood Insurance Program and they are used by lenders to determine who will be required to purchase flood insurance. In 2002, 70 percent of the Nation’s flood maps were over ten years old. To accomplish this task, FEMA began converting paper flood insurance rate maps to Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM). DFIRMs are more accurate and easier to update. FEMA’s Map Modernization Program of 2003 to 2008 resulted in new or revised flood maps for 92 percent of the continental U.S. population.
On July 16, 2010, FEMA sent Collier County and the cities of Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City an updated preliminary DFIRM. This preliminary DFIRM is a draft of what, if approved, will be CollierCounty’s new flood zone determination maps. If approved, this new DFIRM will redefine who in Collier County lives in what flood zone, who will be required to purchase flood insurance, and it will establish flood elevations that are the basis the National Flood Insurance rates. Many areas of Collier County that previously were not considered to be in a flood zone are now considered to be in a high risk flood zone. If you live in an area that has been remapped to a high risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage you will now be required by your lender to purchase flood insurance.
Staff from Collier County and the cities of Naples, Marco Island, and Everglades City are now reviewing the preliminary DFIRMs for accuracy. A series of public informational meetings have been scheduled for the month of August 2010 to give property owners the opportunity to view the DFIRMs, to learn about the proposed schedule for making the DFIRMs effective for building permits and flood insurance, and to learn more about the steps they will need to take to comply with the federal flood insurance requirements. Shortly after the public meetings, FEMA will publish two notices in the local newspaper which will start the official 90 day time period for owners to file any complaints, protests, or appeals. Following this, there will be a period of time to resolve comments, protests, or appeals before FEMA finalizes the DFIRMs to make them effective.
The new flood zones are expected to become effective on January 1, 2011.
