Posted on , by Adriana Nieves

FLOOD RISK OPEN HOUSES 9/25, 9/26 and 9/27

Digital Preliminary Flood Hazard Maps for Pinellas County

Are Ready for Public Viewing

Attend an Open House and Learn about Flood Risks in Redington Beach

Residents and property owners in Pinellas County can see draft preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for coastal areas at four Flood Risk Open Houses taking place September 25-27, 2018.

FIRMs show the extent and risk for flooding.  The FIRMs will be used to determine flood insurance premiums and building requirements. Click here to view the FIRMs.

Learn about your risk of flooding and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for your property.  You can meet one-on-one with specialists to discuss flood risk, flood insurance, appeals, mitigation, and engineering.  Home and business owners, renters, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend.

The Flood Risk Open Houses will take place at the following dates, times and locations:

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25:

6pm-9pm  YMCA at Lealman Community Center 5175 45th St N., St. Petersburg, FL 33714

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:

6pm-9pm  Countryside Recreation Center 2640 Sabal Springs Dr., Clearwater, FL 33761

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27:

10am-1pm AND 6pm-9pm Seminole Recreation Center 9100 113th St N, Seminole, FL 33772

 

The new preliminary FIRMs were developed through a partnership between the communities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  They are based on updated modeling data and show coastal flood hazards more accurately than older maps.

The goal is to inform property owners and the community of their flood risks.  Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, watershed conditions and other factors.  Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.  By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding.  Standard homeowners, business owners, and renter’s insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage; consequently, flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone subject to coastal flood risks.  Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state-licensed property and casualty insurance agent.  Call the National Flood Insurance Program Help Center at 800-427-4661 or visit floodsmart.gov for more information.