Federal flood maps updated to digital format; Public meetings set to gather input

Chance to review new draft maps of King County at upcoming meetings

New draft digital maps of flood-prone areas in King County – produced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – are available for public review.

The preliminary maps show flood hazard areas within King County that would be inundated by what is called the “base flood” – a flood that is statistically expected to occur once every 100 years.

FEMA will be hosting four meetings, set for late October and early November, where the public will have an opportunity to view the maps, ask questions and to learn more about how this information is used.  

FEMA representatives will be available to provide information about the National Flood Insurance Program, discuss the significance of the preliminary maps, and explain the formal appeal process and timeline that is part of the public review and adoption process.

The maps are widely utilized by financial lending institutions and insurance agents to determine who must purchase flood insurance and the cost of that insurance should it be necessary.

The updated maps will also be used by King County and local communities for floodplain management and permitting purposes to ensure that any development in the floodplain is done is a safe manner.

As part of converting the existing paper-based flood insurance rate maps to the digital format, FEMA has also revised floodplain areas associated with levees in the Lower Green River Valley and the North Creek area near Bothell.

In addition, FEMA has included newly updated floodplain studies and data for the Cedar River, the lower Snoqualmie River, and Patterson and Springbrook creeks.

On behalf of FEMA, King County is hosting online the digital flood insurance rate maps  and corresponding flood insurance study documents, which can be viewed at http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/wlr/flood/dfirm/.
 
The four public meetings are scheduled for:

Oct. 24 – 6-8 p.m.
Carnation Elementary School
4950 Tolt Ave., Carnation

Nov. 1 – 6-8 p.m.
Kent City Hall
220 4th Ave. So., Kent

Nov. 6 – 6-8 p.m.
Bothell City Council Chambers
18410 101st Ave. NE, Bothell
 
Nov. 8 – 6-8 p.m.
Renton City Hall
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton

Flood insurance policy holders in King County enjoy a 40 percent reduction on their premiums, thanks to King County’s best-in-the-nation FEMA Community Rating System status for flood planning and the county’s Flood Warning Center operations.

More information about FEMA’s map modernization program and the public meetings is available by contacting Ryan Ike, FEMA Senior Floodplain Management Specialist, at 425-487-4767.