Public Invited To Appeal Or Comment On Flood Maps In Williamson County, Surrounding Areas

The new flood risk information and FIRM resulted from a long-term flood study lead by a team of local community, state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials…

Denton, Texas– New preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available for review by residents and business owners in cities of Austin, Cedar Park, Coupland, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Round Rock, Taylor, Pflugerville, and unincorporated areas of Williamson County.

Officials encourage property owners to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in appeal and comment periods for the maps.

The new flood risk information and FIRM resulted from a long-term flood study lead by a team of local community, state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. Significant community review has already taken place, including flood risk open houses, where residents and business owners in the affected counties were able to learn more about the new preliminary flood risk information and view the maps.

The detailed digital maps show current flood hazards and replace flood maps that are based on outdated studies and technology. The maps provide more precise flood hazard information for those areas, including places affected by the devastating Memorial Day 2015 floods and other major floods since 2000.

The deadlines for submitting appeals or comments

• City of Austin: May 14, 2018

• City of Cedar Park: May 14, 2018

• Williamson County (Unincorporated areas): May 14, 2018

• City of Coupland: May 14, 2018

• City of Georgetown: May 14, 2018

• City of Hutto: May 14, 2018

• City of Leander: May 14, 2018

• City of Round Rock: May 14, 2018

• City of Tayor: May 14, 2018

• 90 day comment period: City of Pflugerville: May 15, 2018

If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary—you can submit a written comment.

You can submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect. An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals must be submitted through the office of the county or local community floodplain administrator.

In addition to viewing the preliminary maps at your local floodplain administrator’s office, residents and business owners may:

• View the preliminary flood maps online:
  ° http://maps.riskmap6.com/TX/Williamson/

• Use a live chat service about flood maps at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon)

• Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone, toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps, which is targeted for spring 2019.