Friday July 16, 2010

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is releasing updated flood hazard maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) showing areas in the City of Napa and the County of Napa at risk for flooding.  The new maps will become effective on September 29, 2010.

All owners of property in a high-risk flood zone are required to have flood insurance. It is important that property owners who are now in a high risk flood hazard zone purchase flood insurance prior to September 29, 2010 in order to obtain the insurance at a discounted rate. Property owners who purchase flood insurance after this date will be required to pay the full rate. 

Flood hazard maps indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk. In reviewing the new maps, many property owners may find that their risk is higher or lower than they previously thought. As a result of the Flood Project improvements that have been completed, many properties that were previously in a high-risk flood zone are now in moderate or low risk zones.

New information has resulted in a more accurate assessment of risk and some properties along Napa and Tulocay Creeks are now mapped in the high-risk flood zones. In the Salvador Creek area new maps were created where none previously existed and some properties along Salvador Creek are now in a high-risk flood zone.

For information on the new maps, contact the City of Napa Public Works Department at 707-257-9520, Napa County Public Works at 707-253-4351 or visit the FEMA Map Update page here .