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FEMA to Hold Public Information Meeting in Auburn Regarding Flood Insurance Rate Maps Jan. 26

AUBURN, Wash. - January 19, 2011 - FEMA will hold a public meeting in Auburn on Jan. 26 from 6-8 PM at Dick Scobee Elementary located at 1031 14th ST NE regarding proposed changes to the FEMA flood insurance rate maps for the King County portion of Auburn. New Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) have been completed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and they may include a change in classification for your property. (Please note that this is NOT a meeting regarding the operational status of the Howard Hanson Dam.)

During the meeting, there will be a short presentation covering:

flood study overview
the process and timeline for appeal
the timeline for adoption
the different flood hazard zones (classifications) and what they mean
how changes in classification affect flood insurance requirements
how changes in classification affect building regulations

The Draft DFIRM maps are now available online at the King County website External link or are available for viewing during regular business hours in the City of Auburn Customer Service Center located on the second floor at 1 East Main ST.

A new study has been completed using updated flood models and base elevation data, which is used to amend the flood maps to show the current level of risk to flooding. The new maps update the classifications of which properties are located within a FEMA Flood Hazard Area and may affect the classification of your property, home, or business. Changes in flood insurance policy requirements or rates may follow.

This change may affect your mortgage loan requirements. If your property was outside a flood hazard area on the old maps and is now inside a flood hazard area on the new DFIRMs, your mortgage holder may now require you to carry flood insurance. FEMA requires property owners with a federally-backed mortgage in a flood hazard zone to purchase flood insurance.

Regardless of mortgage status, owners of properties in or near flood hazard zones are encouraged to carry flood insurance. If you don’t have a flood insurance policy, purchasing one prior to the expected adoption of the new DFIRMs may qualify you for lower rates than if you waited until after the maps were adopted. For more information on flood insurance, please go online to www.floodsmart.gov External link .

For more information regaring this meeting, contact Chris Anderson at 253-876-1962.

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City of Auburn
25 West Main St.
Auburn, WA 98001
www.auburnwa.gov