LIVE OAK, FL, February 26, 2010 – Levy County residents will soon have an opportunity to see how changes to flood zone designations may affect their properties.
Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents are invited to attend an open house on March 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the City of Cedar Key Library, 460 Second Street, to review and comment on updated preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs). Another open house will be held on March 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Tommy Usher Community Center, 506 SW 4th Ave. in Chiefland.
The maps are being prepared for Levy County and incorporated areas including the City of Cedar Key, Town of Bronson, City of Chiefland, Town of Inglis, City of Otter Creek, City of Williston and the Town of Yankeetown.
The maps were created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with Levy County, the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD) and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), all of whom will have representatives at the open house to answer questions.
These new maps are part of FEMA’s plan to modernize all flood hazard maps nationwide and will provide better and more accurate floodplain mapping of Levy County. These maps will replace the existing flood insurance rate maps prepared by FEMA and adopted in 1984.
Once adopted the new maps would be used to determine which properties are located in special flood hazard areas for flood insurance purposes. Proposed changes have been made to 715 parcels in Levy County.
Before the maps are finalized in 2011, residents will be given 90 days to appeal or protest the proposed DFIRMs.
For more information call Rick Johnston, SRWMD at 386.362.1001; Larry Walker, SWFWMD at 352.796.7211; or Robert Johnson, URS Corporation at 813.636.2137. Visit www.srwmdfloodmaps.com for more information on map modernization.