2021-04-12-minutes-public-works-study-session

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PRESS RELEASE Date: April 12, 2021 Contact: Arden Thomas, Water Resources Program Coordinator, 509-962-7690 FEMA Updates Kittitas County Flood Maps On March 24t'', 2021, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) notitied Kittitas County that they had made a final flood hazard determination regarding new regulatory flood maps for Kittitas County. With this notification, Kittitas County now has certainty that proposed changes to Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) will take effect on September 20', 2021. The changes adopted by FEMA reflect the first County -wide updates to Kittitas County FIRMS since FEMA first issued Kittitas County flood hazard maps in 1981. FIRMS identify the 100- and 500- year floodplains, in addition to high hazard areas known as floodways. These maps are an important source of information for understanding potential flood risk and are used by Kittitas County for land use permitting. Most projects within the 100 -year floodplain must first obtain a flood development permit from Kittitas County. "We are working to get the word out to our county residents about map changes" said Arden Thomas, Kittitas County's Floodplain Manager. "Public Works staff is here to answer questions. For some areas within the County, the new mapping indicates less flood risk than shown in the 1981 maps. For other areas, the new maps expand the footprint of the 100 -year floodplain. We encourage everyone to look at the online map comparison tool and to contact our office with questions." You can visit the map comparison tool and search for your address to see how the map update will affect property. Please note that the 1981 floodway designation is not shown on this map: https://fema.maus.m-gi_ s.com/apps/StorytellinaSwine/index.html?appid=a 16b21 b93bff4a90b491 a 150196 06833. For some parcels the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA, aka, the 1 UU-year tloodplam) will expand and mandatory flood insurance may become required. This is not a county requirement and is usually required by the mortgage lender for a federally backed mortgage. Parcels that arc not currently in the SFHA but will be in hazard area with the new FIRM can apply for flood insurance prior to September 24', 2021 and receive lower insurance rates. Additional information about flood insurance is available at: https://www.floodsmart.ggv/ By participating in FEMA's voluntary Community Rating System (CRS), Kittitas County has already acted to lower flood insurance rates for all County residents. The Community Rating System rewards communities with programs that reduce flood risk. Due to Kittitas County's CRS activities providing flood hazard information, outreach to the public about flood risk, preservation of open space for flood storage, and maintaining an up to date hazard mitigation plan, residents in unincorporated Kittitas County receive a 20 percent discount on flood insurance premiums for property located within SFHAs and a ten percent discount to other areas. For more information, please contact Kittitas County Public Works Floodplain Manager Ms. Arden Thomas at 509-962-7523.