New FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps Issued for Carroll County

On July 18, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for all of , including the municipalities.

This release starts a 90 day appeal period. Appeals must be:

• technical in nature,
• submitted through the Carroll County Department of Land Use, Planning, & Development - Bureau of Resource Management in order to be accepted by FEMA, and
• received by the county no later than Oct. 10.

Representatives from FEMA and the Maryland Department of the Environment will host a Flood Risk Informational Open House starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 28 in the Scott Center Theatre of the Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Road.

Information relating to the revised FIRMs which may assist residents in determining the status and location of floodplains can be found: http://ccgovernment.carr.org/ccg/MapServer4/GIS/webpage/FIRM_Coverpage.html

Revised FIRMs can also be reviewed during normal business hours in Room 204 of the Carroll County Office Building located at 225 North Center Street.

In a news release, the county urged all residents who might be affected to attend the informational meeting, visit the above-mentioned website or contact the Bureau of Resource Management at 410-386-2506.

Improved technology has increased the accuracy of the proposed maps therefore properties or structures that were not within a floodplain previously may now be within the floodplain on the revised maps according to the news release.

Likewise, other properties within the floodplain on the existing maps may not appear within the floodplain on the revised plans. Reviewing the proposed maps now will ensure that affected property owners have an opportunity to appeal if necessary.