Update to Hamilton County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Mayor, City of East Ridge (423) 867-7711/bwilliams@eastridgetn.gov FEMA News Desk (770) 220-5292/FEMA-R4-NewsDesk@fema.dhs.gov PROPOSED FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP REFLECTS CHANGES TO LOCAL FLOOD RISK 90-Day Appeal Period for Filing Appeals and Comments Began June 7, 2024 Updates to Hamilton County Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) are nearly complete. The new map will provide Hamilton County with up-to-date flood risk information and tools that KEY MAPPING MILESTONES can be used to enhance local mitigation plans and help officials and residents make better decisions about reducing flood risks June 28, 2023—Preliminary Flood and purchasing flood insurance. The county’s mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Insurance Rate Map released Management Agency (FEMA) to increase local knowledge of September 13 – 14, 2023—Flood Risk flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those Community Open House risks. The work in City of East Ridge has been led by the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency and FEMA Region June 7, 2024—Start of 90-day Appeal IV, in partnership with local community officials. Before the Period new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized, a 90-day appeal Target Date-Summer 2025—New FIRM period will give residents and business owners a chance to becomes effective; new flood provide additional technical data or non-technical comments insurance requirements are applied for FEMA’s consideration. Visit https://msc.fema.gov/fmcv or Hamilton County officials encourage residents and business https://msc.fema.gov/portal to see the owners to review the proposed map changes, learn about local preliminary FIRM. flood risks and potential flood insurance requirements, and share any concerns or questions. For information about the deadline for submitting an appeal or If members of the community notice incorrect information that comments, call does not involve changing the flood hazard-related Mitigation Division of FEMA in Region information–such as a missing or misspelled road name or an IV] at (770) 220-5406. incorrect corporate boundary–a written correction, or “comment,” can be submitted. If members of the community For general information, contact a have concerns about certain areas of the map and have Map Specialist with any questions at technical and scientific information–such as detailed hydraulic 1-877-336-2627 (toll free) between or hydrologic data–that can be used to improve the maps, they 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m ET. may file an appeal during the 90-day appeal period. *Date subject to change, pending All comments and appeals must be submitted through the local completion of appeal review process. officials. Because submitting an appeal requires some time and effort, we encourage property owners and renters to review the updated flood maps now. If you are interested in submitting an appeal, we highly recommend that you first discuss it with your local officials so they can provide guidance on the process. For more details about this process, visit https://fema.gov.