| Seawall failure in April 2007 storm. |
Cumberland and York County
By Joseph Young Mapping Coordinator From FEMA Press Release
FEMA Region I announced today a new initiative aimed at improving the Flood Mapping process in York and Cumberland Counties in Maine. Working closely with the Maine Congressional delegation, FEMA Headquarters in Washington and stakeholders in York and Cumberland Counties, FEMA has consistently recognized the need for close collaboration on this important project. FEMA has proposed that the stakeholders convert to a new program known as Risk Mapping, Assessment and Planning (Risk MAP). This new program provides communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better protect their citizens. Through more accurate flood maps, risk assessment tools and outreach support, Risk MAP builds on Map Modernization and strengthens local ability to make informed decisions about reducing risk. Working in close collaboration with the affected communities who have agreed in principle to review the transition to Risk MAP, FEMA will now withdraw the current proposed maps and terminate the current appeal process. The affected local governments will now be asked to co-sign a "Project Charter" and FEMA will work closely with these communities to improve the current preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps incorporating all available data. FEMA will then reissue the improved maps as a part of a new appeal process.
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| Ice Jam on the Kennebec in Augusta 2003 |
Kennebec County Mapping Update
Joseph YoungMapping Coordinator Kennebec County floodplain maps continue on schedule. The appeals period closed on October 4, 2010. The maps will now undergo a final QA/QC process. Once these checks have been completed communities will recieve a letter of final determination (LFD) notifying them of when the new maps will become effective. We currently anticpate the letter will be mailed by the end of 2010 or early in January of 2011 with an effective date of the maps being in mid summer of 2011. Upon issuance of the LFD, the 6-month compliance period will begin. Local communities must adopt an updated ordinance (or an amendment) to bring their ordinance language up to date with current federal and state standards and to incorporate the new final map date and relevant panel numbers. As soon as we know the final map date, all Kennebec County communities will receive an updated customized model ordinance that contains all the necessary changes. We will continue to work closely with you during the compliance period to ensure a timely ordinance adoption. It is critical that the ordinance be updated prior to the effective date of the maps so that your community will not risk immediate suspension from the National Flood Insurance Program.
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| Risk MAP Flow Chart |
What is Risk MAP?
This new program provides communities with flood information and tools they can use to enhance their mitigation plans and better protect their citizens. Through more accurate flood maps, risk assessment tools and outreach support, Risk MAP builds on Map Modernization and strengthens local ability to make informed decisions about reducing risk.
Through collaboration with State, Tribal and local entities, Risk MAP will deliver quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action that reduces risk to life and property. Risk MAP will focus on products and services beyond the traditional Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM). FEMA will work with officials to help use flood risk data and tools to effectively communicate risk to citizens and enable communities to enhance their corresponding mitigation plans.
This process involves increased collaboration and improved information sharing in the production of new flood maps and will allow FEMA to address any appropriate issues in the appeals process that will follow. Risk MAP will deliver quality data that increases public awareness and leads to action reduces risk to life and property.
You can find more information on Risk MAP on the FEMA website.
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SPO Newsletters
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Newsletter Funding
This newsletter is funded with a grant provided by the Federal Emergency
Management Agency (FEMA)
EMB-2007-CA-0874
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