FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Residents are encouraged to review revisions to proposed updates to Springfield’s flood insurance rate maps by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through March 28 and submit questions and concerns.
Revisions were made following a 90-day public comment period open last summer, which allowed property owners the opportunity to review the proposed updates and provide additional data for consideration before the maps were finalized.
To inform citizens about the pending changes to the floodplain maps, the City hosted a public open house in June 2019, with approximately 200 citizens in attendance. Letters explaining the updates were also mailed to all properties within the proposed 500-year floodplain.
All appeals made were required to be based on data that showed the new or revised flood hazard information was scientifically incorrect. Certification by a registered professional engineer or licensed land surveyor was also potentially required.
The updated mapping is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks. The boundaries of many flood-prone areas within the watershed have changed from the current boundaries adopted in December 2010.
“Following the 90-day appeal period, the changes made to the preliminary maps mostly involved about a dozen areas where the City identified known locations of sinkholes,” explains the City’s Principal Stormwater Engineer Chris Dunnaway. “No public appeals were submitted requiring additional revisions.”
Residents are encouraged to review the revised preliminary maps by visiting the web review map at: http://maps.springfieldmo.gov/FemaFlood and searching their address. Those unable to access the online map can call the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010, and a resource coordinator can look up your address for you.
The City anticipates the maps to become effective in December of 2020.
To submit questions or concerns regarding the proposed floodplain map updates, contact Chris Dunnaway at 864-1876 or [email protected] or Zach Mills at 864-1935 or [email protected].