New flood zone maps add 4,300 homes in one county

Property owners can appeal the reclassification with the Federal Emergency Management Agency until March 27

New flood zone maps add 4,300 homes in one county

Catastrophe & Flood

By Allie Sanchez

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is remapping the flood zones in Morgan County, Alabama. An estimated 4,300 homes are expected to be affected by the reclassification.

The new maps are expected to take full effect in April 2018.

Related: Check out Flood Risk 2017 – Florida – a master class

According to local publication The Decatur Daily, FEMA last updated maps in the area in 2005.

Property owners who wish to appeal their reclassification can do so until March 27. Appeals are expected to be resolved in May and a final decision will be published in October.

County engineer Greg Bodley told the publication that the largest areas to be moved into the flood zone are Cotaco, southwest of Hartselle and Priceville.

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The Decatur Daily also reported that property owners who avail of flood insurance before the maps come into effect may be able to get a lower premium.

Morgan Country provides flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) because it has adopted and enforces floodplain insurance management law provided for by FEMA.


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