Dec 28 2011
Starting this December 15, the public will have 45 days to provide comments on a new levee analysis and mapping approach from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
As part of the National Flood Insurance Program, FEMA is responsible for analyzing and identifying the flood hazard associated with a 1-percent-annual-chance flood event or base flood event. The flood hazard associated with such an event is shown on Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Currently if a levee or other flood protection system does not meet the requirements, it is not “accredited” and FEMA maps the area as if the protection system does not exist. This approach is commonly referred to as the “without levee” approach. Given advances in data collection and flood hazard modeling, options that can be applied to a variety of situations would better meet the needs of the American public and provide more precise results.
Feedback is an important part of FEMA’s process for developing the new levee analysis and mapping approach. The public comment period ends January 30, 2012. Read the FEMA fact sheet. Visit the FEMA website. Submit comments.
