Improved flood maps may mean changes in insurance requirements

     Updated topographical information will mean changes in how flood hazard areas are designated throughout Iowa, including in Jones County.

     Representatives from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, FEMA, and the engineering consultant firm Atkins Global were in Monticello for a meeting to present the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) June 14 in the Mary Lovell Le Van Renaissance Center.

     The maps were completed April 30, and mailed out to residents in early May. The maps are also available for viewing at www.iowafloodmaps.org.

     Monticello City Administrator Doug Herman said there will be no changes in Monticello due to the new maps. At the meeting, it was stated that in Jones County parts of Olin and Wyoming might see the most change.

     In some cases, residents who have not previously had to purchase flood insurance may be required to, if their property falls in areas that are now designated as being part of the 1 percent annual chance (100-year) floodplain.

     Some may find that property’s flood risk has been reduced as a result of the new maps, in which case flood insurance may no longer be a requirement but would still be recommended.

     Others will find there has been no change in their flood risk or insurance requirements.

     The new maps were developed by the IDNR and FEMA using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. They are deemed to be accurate to plus or minus eight inches.

     The timeline for flood insurance requirements was discussed at the meeting. All preliminary FIRMs are subject to a 90-day appeal and comment period, which will begin this fall; information about the period will be published in the Express. Appeals must be coordinated with community officials.

     The preliminary FIRMs are projected to become effective in the fall of 2019. Local officials will be notified about six months prior to the established date.

     Questions or comments regarding the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps may be directed to the following:

     • Scott Ralston, DNR Floodplain Mapping Coordinator, 515-725-8321, Scott.Ralston@dnr.iowa.gov; Jason Conn, DNR NFIP Specialist, 515-725-8333, Jason.Conn@dnr.iowa.gov; Andy Megrail, 816-283-7982, Andy.Megrail@fema.dhs.gov; or Vikram Shrivastava, 240-264-8904, Vikram.Shrivastava@atkinsglobal.com.