BERLIN–The Federal Emergency Management Agency released updates to the coastal flood maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, for Worcester County. The FIRMs indicate flood-prone coastal areas in Worcester County, and insurance companies use them to determine flood insurance rates for buildings and contents. Worcester County Development Review and Permitting will host a public Coastal Flood Risk Open House on the updates at the Stephen Decatur Middle School cafeteria on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 6-9 p.m.
Using interactive flood maps, representatives from the state and county, as well as FEMA and their mapping partners, will be available to answer flood risk and insurance questions, and explain the preliminary maps.
Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the nation. Therefore, it is vital property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools and programs available to them, including flood insurance.
The preliminary maps to be shared at the open house are an update of the existing FIRMs, which date back to 1979 in some locations. These preliminary FIRMs and the associated Flood Insurance Study provide the basis for flood risk education and floodplain management measures. Worcester County and towns located therein are required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available to the community.
As a result of these map updates, some buildings in Worcester County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area, which may result in the mandatory purchase of flood insurance, while other properties may be removed from a flood zone entirely.
Additional information is available at www.co.worcester.md.us. Links to the interactive mapping Web site, can be found at www.R3Coastal.com. Questions, call 410-632-1200 or e-mail wcfloodmaps@co.worcester.md.us.
Using interactive flood maps, representatives from the state and county, as well as FEMA and their mapping partners, will be available to answer flood risk and insurance questions, and explain the preliminary maps.
Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the nation. Therefore, it is vital property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools and programs available to them, including flood insurance.
The preliminary maps to be shared at the open house are an update of the existing FIRMs, which date back to 1979 in some locations. These preliminary FIRMs and the associated Flood Insurance Study provide the basis for flood risk education and floodplain management measures. Worcester County and towns located therein are required to adopt updated maps to continue participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, which makes flood insurance available to the community.
As a result of these map updates, some buildings in Worcester County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area, which may result in the mandatory purchase of flood insurance, while other properties may be removed from a flood zone entirely.
Additional information is available at www.co.worcester.md.us. Links to the interactive mapping Web site, can be found at www.R3Coastal.com. Questions, call 410-632-1200 or e-mail wcfloodmaps@co.worcester.md.us.