FEMA Initiates 90-Day Appeal Period for St. Charles Flood Hazard Determination Maps
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a public notice regarding the start of the 90-day appeal period for the proposed flood hazard determinations maps. The maps include portions of the city of St. Charles, generally the areas around the 7th Avenue Creek, 7th Avenue Creek Tributary and portions of the Fox River.
The 90-day appeal period allows community officials and citizens the opportunity to appeal FEMA’s proposed flood hazard information. The city encourages anyone who has questions regarding the proposed FEMA mapping revisions and 90-day appeal process to review the information on the city’s website at www.stcharlesil.gov/flood.
Jodie Wollnik, assistant director of the Kane County Division of Environmental and Water Resources, applauded St. Charles leadership for updating the 7th Ave Creek floodplain maps and developing a comprehensive watershed-based plan for the area.
“(The plan) will result in more accurate floodplain maps for citizens in the 7th Ave. Creek floodplain and will give the city the technical background on the creek to apply for grants to reduce flooding, improve water quality and enhance the stream corridor,” she said.
The FEMA map and website information are great resources for residents in a floodplain or flood-prone area.
“If you have a mortgage and are in the floodplain, you are typically required to have flood insurance by the mortgage company,” Wollnik said. “If you are mapped in the floodplain, even if you don’t have a mortgage, it is strongly encouraged to have flood insurance as being mapped in a floodplain shows that your property is at risk for flooding.
“Additionally, Hazard Mitigation funds are typically only available to homeowners that carry flood insurance. Flood insurance is also available to citizens not mapped in floodplain but whose property falls in flood-prone areas.”
FEMA 90-Day Appeal Process FAQs
How Do I Know If My Property Is Included In the Proposed Map Revisions?
Copies of the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate maps (FIRMs) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report materials are on FEMA’s website at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/searchResult.action.
Select State of Illinois and Kane County on the drop-down menus. If you don’t have access to the internet, please contact the St. Charles Public Works Department at 630-377-4486 to set up an appointment to view a hard copy.
What Will the Map Updates Include?
The Preliminary FIRM and FIS report include proposed flood hazard information for certain locations in the city of St. Charles. This may include additions to or modifications of Special Flood Hazard Areas, the areas that would be inundated by the base (1 percent annual chance) flood; base flood elevations or depths; zone designations or regulatory floodways.
Where Can I Get Additional Information Regarding the Statutory 90-Day Period for Appeals?
Visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe
Who Can Appeal?
Any owner or lessee of real property who believes his or her property rights will be adversely affected by the proposed flood hazard determinations.
What Can Be Appealed?
For a complete listing of the Criteria for Appeals of Flood Insurance Rate Maps visit https://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/5270aa93d5b892c8420248bc8f40a1ee/FIRM+Appeals+(EAP)+Criteria.pdf.
In general, the sole basis for appeals is the possession of knowledge or information indicating that the proposed flood hazard determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect. Only appeals of the proposed flood hazard determinations supported by scientific or technical data can be considered before FEMA makes its final flood hazard determination at the end of the 90-day appeal period.
However, FEMA also will consider comments and inquiries regarding data other than the proposed flood hazard determinations (e.g., incorrect street names, typographical errors, omissions) that are submitted during the appeal period, and will be incorporate any appropriate changes to the FIRM and FIS report before they become effective.
Who Do I Submit My Appeal To?
All appeals must be made in writing to City of St. Charles Attn: Karen R. Young, P.E., CFM, Assistant Director of Public Works – Engineering, Two East Main Street, St. Charles, IL 60174, or via email to kryoung@stcharlesil.gov.
SOURCE: city of St. Charles news release
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