The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently held an open house to answer any questions Texas homeowners might have about its newly released flood maps. While the maps are intended as guidance for those rebuilding their homes so that they can appropriately elevate their properties, concerns over possible insurance rate hikes and the difficulty of elevating homes were raised.
The new maps show a noticeably increased flood risk in the Wimberley area, as well as varied flood levels in the San Marcos area. These areas are still recovering after the Memorial Day floods over the weekend which brought down homes and trees, as well as caused more than a dozen casualties.
FEMA said that the maps are intended to help those rebuilding their homes, so that they can rebuild on higher ground and not be as affected by future floods.
“This map does not affect insurance rates, this is a map that's just for recovery efforts,” FEMA regional program specialist Diane Howe insisted. “In other words if you are rebuilding right now we suggest that you look to this map for elevations, if you are able to elevate your home.”
“The next map, which is the preliminary flood insurance rate, will be issued in about a year,” she added. “And that's the one that, once it becomes effective – and it takes about two years for that to happen – that’s the map that your insurance will be rated on, at that point.”
Elevation estimates made by the maps could have a chilling effect on those looking to construct homes in the area, noted Shannon Cronan, a representative of the nonprofit Saint Bernard Project in Texas. The organization specializes in disaster assistance.
Cronan remarked that the maps are not user-friendly, possibly discouraging builders and homeowners alike.
“What happens is people will be discouraged from building their homes, because they need to elevate, rather than build their home, get back in, and elevate at another point.”
