FEMA officials are meeting with officials from Sykesville, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Union Bridge and Carroll County government to discuss revisions to the floodplain map, which show areas at risk of flooding, Patrick Varga, the county’s environmental review supervisor, reported in a county document.
A floodplain map, also known as a Flood Insurance Rate Map or FIRM, is a map showing areas of a community that are at risk of flooding. The maps are divided into zones that indicate the likelihood of flooding based on historical data and other factors. These maps can help residents understand the relationship between their property and areas with a higher risk of flooding.
The residents impacted can purchase flood insurance. However, if a structure is located in the floodplain, and the property was paid for with a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance must be purchased, according to federal regulations.
Over the last few years Frederick and Howard counties were issued new FEMA floodplain maps. Carroll County’s is now being updated to match those of neighboring jurisdictions. The county’s map was last updated in 2015.
The updated floodplain areas include portions of Carroll County, Mount Airy , New Windsor, Sykesville and Union Bridge.
The meetings with officials are intended to start the appeal process. This means that property owners whose land is impacted, can appeal to FEMA.
Property owners and residents can appeal a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map by submitting technical or scientific information for review. The appeals need to describe concerns that the information used to create the map is “scientifically or technically” incorrect.
Supporting documentation should include surveys, topographic maps, engineering studies and other data. The final maps are expected to become official in the fall of 2025.
Property owners can review the maps at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload or for questions contact Patrick Varga at 410-386-2844 or pvarga@carrollcountymd.gov.
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