New flood maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) could change flood insurance rates for some property owners in Pierce County when they go into effect next March. Drafts of the new flood maps were released Sept. 7. Homeowners can view a document that describes how to download drafts of the maps from the Pierce County website at www.piercecountywa.org/getfloodmap. The maps, which will become official March 7, 2017, provide homeowners with more information and greater accuracy about the flood risk to their homes, according to county officials. Insurance agents and homeowners who are affected by the new mapswill receive notices from Pierce County about the impending changes. Owners of land near rivers and creeks, as well as coastlines, should review the maps to see if the base flood elevation on their property has changed, officials said. They explained that the new maps could change property owners' flood insurance and either save them money or require a rate increase. Property owners should contact their insurance agents to discuss these changes, said Harold Smelt, surface-water manager for the county's Public Works Department. “The new maps are more accurate than the existing maps and can help residents make more informed decisions about their property,” Smelt said. According to officials, the biggest change to the maps is the additional mapping detail for coastal property at risk for flooding. Another change is that many homes built on high ground will no longer be shown as at-risk, and their owners won't be required to purchase high-cost flood insurance. Special flood hazard areas – specific places in the county identified by FEMA as high-risk – have also been revised and might include land that previously was outside of these areas on the older maps. For property in these areas with federally-backed mortgages, insurance is required. Although not required, flood insurance is recommended for all other property in mapped hazard areas, officials note. Some areas near levees won't immediately receive updated maps, as FEMA is developing new standards to more accurately determine risk behind levees. New maps will be used by federal and state agencies, cities and the county to determine what development will be allowed within flood hazard areas in Pierce County. Insurance companies will use the new maps to determine flood insurance rates. The maps currently used by FEMA, state and county agencies were approved in the 1980s. Since then, technology and more comprehensive flood data have allowed FEMA to create more detailed and accurate maps. In April and May 2015, Pierce County and FEMA held four open houses in Pierce County to show drafts of the new maps. Residents had the option to appeal the maps if they could demonstrate that the data didn’t accurately represent their property. Any successful appeals were incorporated into the new maps.
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