These new maps are for portions of the City and certain unincorporated areas of Riley County generally located east of Tuttle Creek Boulevard along the Blue River valley and between the west bank of Tuttle Creek Reservoir and west of Freeman Road.
The new maps will replace the existing maps and will be used to identify areas of special flood hazard (commonly referred to as the 1% Annual Chance Flood, or 100-year floodplain). These maps are used to assess the risk of flooding to a property and identify areas where floodplain development standards are required. They are also utilized by insurance companies to establish rates for flood insurance.
A professional seminar sponsored by the City of Manhattan, the Kansas Department of Agriculture-Division of Water Resources, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, will be held on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 from 10:00 am to noon in the City Commission Room at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Avenue.
Julie Grauer, FEMA Region VII Natural Hazards Program Specialist, and Monique Pilch, National Flood Insurance Program Bureau and Statistical Agent Regional Manager, will provide information on the National Flood Insurance Program and Map Modernization Basics and the effects of map changes on flood insurance. The purpose of this seminar is to provide information and education on the effects of the map changes. Specific attention will be given to inform professionals dealing with floodplain issues on:
• how to read a FIRM;
• how to understand flood risks identified on a map so that professionals can best assist their clients in making informed risk management decisions regarding the purchase of a home or other properties;
• the need for flood insurance;
• how to understand the National Flood Insurance Program Grandfather Rules, potentially providing significant long term flood insurance cost savings to property owners;
• how to understand the Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) and Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) process;
• the mandatory purchase provisions; and
• how to create a FIRMette.
The new maps will become effective on July 6, 2010. The Manhattan Urban Area Planning Board will conduct a public hearing to adopt the new maps and amendments to the text of Manhattan’s flood plain regulations on May 3, 2010 at 7:00 PM, in the City Commission room at City Hall, 1101 Poyntz Avenue.
Please consider this letter as an invitation to attend this free informative seminar and learn more about the new FIRMs and how they might affect current and potential clients of your business. If you have any questions, please contact me at 785-537-6332 or [email protected].