JUST IN: FEMA Proposes New Flood Maps For San Marcos

In Hays County, the flood hazard study includes areas along the Blanco and San Marcos Rivers, and many tributaries as well as Purgatory Creek, Sink Creek, Willow Springs Creek, Cottonwood Creek and their tributaries. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the State of Texas, and local communities and counties, have released preliminary flood maps for public review and comment.

These preliminary flood maps—known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)—are providing updated flood risk information for many areas in Hays County and along San Marcos River in Caldwell, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Hays Counties.

The City of San Marcos will hold an open house on the proposed changes to the FIRM at the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins, on Aug. 24 from 2–7 p.m. Attendees will have access to the online, interactive maps during the Open House.

They will also have the opportunity to speak to representatives from the State, County and the City of San Marcos, as well as FEMA and their mapping partners, about any floodplain and flood insurance issues. There will be no formal presentation; so come at your convenience. 

In addition, a workshop will be held Aug. 24 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at the Activity Center, for realtors and insurance agents so they can learn about impacts to insurance, rating options, reform legislation and changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.

In Hays County, the flood hazard study includes areas along the Blanco and San Marcos Rivers, and many tributaries as well as Purgatory Creek, Sink Creek, Willow Springs Creek, Cottonwood Creek and their tributaries. 

Property owners are encouraged to view the maps at http://maps.RiskMAP6.com to see the specific areas being remapped and how they may be affected.  

Flooding is the number one natural disaster in Texas; and it is vital that property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood insurance.

The proposed maps are an update of the existing FIRM, which uses data that is over 30 years old. Since then, drainage patterns have changed, there has been new development, and technology and modeling techniques have greatly improved.

As a result of these map changes, some buildings in San Marcos and Hays County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Others may see an increase in the Base Flood Elevation (the projected elevation to which floodwaters will rise in a major flood).  And others may actually see their flood risk reduced.  Plan to come to the Open House to see how you may be affected.

For those unable to attend the meeting, maps are available at the City of San Marcos, Permit Center, 630 E. Hopkins Street, 2^nd Floor of the Municipal Building. They are also available at www.RiskMAP6.com.