Macon-Bibb County is releasing updated, digital flood hazard maps for public review and comment prior to their final adoption. The maps show the extent to which areas throughout (a portion of) the Ocmulgee Watershed in Macon-Bibb County are at risk for flooding. The new maps will ultimately replace the current flood hazard maps, some of which are based on studies done over eight years ago, and will be used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements. The new maps will reflect changes in flood risk primarily in the Macon-Bibb County.
Residents and business owners can use the maps to obtain reliable information about their flood risk on a property-by-property basis. The maps also provide flood zone and elevation data to help community planners, engineers, builders and others decide where and how new structures, developments, and remodeling projects should be built. The maps can be viewed online at https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/ or in person at the Macon-Bibb County Engineering office in 780 Third Street, 8:00am – 5:00pm. A series of Open House meetings will also be held to review the maps.
“Flooding is an increasingly frequent and costly problem throughout this part of Georgia, and not just in high-risk areas,” said Charles Brooks, Macon-Bibb County floodplain manager. “Having more accurate and easily accessible maps is an important step in understanding the risk, so we can take steps to protect and insure against it.”
The maps were developed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The process included an extensive review of the changes brought about by environmental, land use and other forces, use of state-of-the-art aerial mapping and risk modeling techniques for several new detailed study areas, and a comprehensive pre-release review.
The flood maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), are now in digital format (for easier access on the internet) and will ultimately be used to determine flood insurance rates and requirements. In reviewing the new maps, many property owners may find that their risk is higher or lower than they thought, so, it is important for residents to stay informed.
To help residents understand their risk, public meetings will be held at the following locations:
August 18
Upper Ocmulgee Watershed
City of Griffin, 1st Floor Courtroom 100 South Hill Street, Griffin, GA.
Residents can come ANYTIME between 5:00 – 7:30pm, no formal presentation is scheduled.
August 19
Upper Ocmulgee Watershed
Macon-Bibb County Engineering Annex, 780 3rd Street, Macon, GA
Residents can come ANYTIME between 5:00 – 7:30pm, no formal presentation is scheduled.
August 20
Middle Chattahoochee Watershed
Troup County Agricultural Center, 21 Vulcan Materials Rd, LaGrange, GA
Residents can come ANYTIME between 5:00 – 7:30pm, no formal presentation is scheduled.
FEMA, Georgia DNR, and pertinent governmental staff will be available at each of the public meetings to answer questions about flood risk and insurance requirements.
The updated FIRMs are still preliminary and have not yet been officially adopted. In addition to the public meetings, there will be a 90-day Public Comment Period where property owners can submit appeals and comments if they can show that the maps are technically or scientifically in error. Once all appeals and comments are received and addressed, the maps are expected to become effective in the Fall of 2016. At that time, flood insurance requirements related to the new map information will take effect.
Residents can learn more about the flood mapping project and search the maps online at http://georgiadfirm.com/. Individuals with general questions about the local map update efforts can contact Macon-Bibb County at 478-621-6660. For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.FloodSmart.gov.