FEMA hosts events to talk about flood-risk designation changes

FEMA wants homeowners, business owners, insurance agents, and realtors to be aware of flood zone changes in South Florida

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities were asking homeowners and builders this week to review the Federal Emergency Management Administration maps to know their flood insurance requirements and new building standards.

Flood zone maps that had not been changed in about three decades were updated July 2013 and released to the public about a month later. Since residents can appeal designations and engineers have to take into account structural changes the maps have been changed several times. 

In the updates, engineers excluded some neighborhoods west of the Florida Turnpike in Broward County, but updates also included  about 62,041 homeowners from Palm Beach County. The law has also changed. This year's Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act issued revisions to The Biggert Waters Reform Act of 2012.

EVENTS:  FEMA was hosting events from 4 to 7 p.m. this week to help residents understand their insurance requirements. Wednesday, Sept. 10: Belle Glade Civic Center and Palm Beach County Library, 725 NW 4th St., in Belle Glade. Thursday, Sept. 11: Jupiter Community Center,  200 Military Trail, in Jupiter.

For more information, call 1-888-379-9531, 561-233-5101 or visit FloodSmart.gov.

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