Citizens with concerns about new FEMA flood maps encouraged to attend public open houses
posted 8.16.10

SKAGIT COUNTY – The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released the revised Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Skagit County on Thursday, July 1, 2010. The new information shows areas that will be inundated by the base (100-year) flood, as well as the revised base flood elevations (BFE).

The issuance of this study may directly affect many property owners, especially those owning property and/or living in the identified flood hazard areas or behind a levee. If you have questions or comments about the new maps, you are encouraged to attend an open house staffed by FEMA, County, and local community officials.

Public open houses are scheduled at the following locations:

August 12, 6 – 8 p.m.
Maple Hall 108 Commercial, La Conner

August 17, 6 – 8 p.m.
Burlington City Hall, 833 South Spruce, Burlington

August 18, 6 – 8 p.m.
Concrete Town Hall, 45672 Main Street, Concrete

August 24, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley Municipal Building Council Chambers, 325 Metcalf Street, Sedro-Woolley

August 26: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place, Mount Vernon

Some property owners may see significant changes in their base flood elevation due to changes in methodology utilized by FEMA. An updated analysis was performed on the Skagit River from Concrete to Skagit Bay, Padilla Bay, and Samish Bay.

The community has 90 days to review the DFIRM and FIS report. The review period will allow community members to identify changes or corrections to non-technical information. FEMA will then review all comments and changes received during this period and will incorporate them, as appropriate, before the DFIRM and FIS report become effective. The public comment period ends September 30, 2010.

The maps, once adopted by the community, are utilized by lending institutions and insurance agents to determine who must purchase flood insurance. In addition, the maps will be used by community officials for floodplain management and permitting purposes.The FEMA maps are available on the Skagit County website at www.skagitcounty.net.

For more information, contact Tim DeVries at 360-336-9410 ext. 3489.