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DNR, FEMA discuss changes in flood risk with public

Jason Conn, a national flood insurance program specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, looked over maps and talked about flood risks with Charles City property owners Tuesday at the Charles City council chambers at City Hall. (Press photo James Grob.)
Jason Conn, a national flood insurance program specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, looked over maps and talked about flood risks with Charles City property owners Tuesday at the Charles City council chambers at City Hall. (Press photo James Grob.)
By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

Most of the Floyd County property owners who showed up at Tuesday’s open house to look at the new floodplain maps went home pleased.

“Thus far, we’ve had happy customers — no changes, or the map is showing a reduced risk of flooding,” said Jason Conn, a national flood insurance program specialist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The Iowa DNR and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) hosted an open house Tuesday evening to present the preliminary floodplain maps to county residents. The open house was at the Charles City council chambers at City Hall.

“The meeting tonight with property owners across the county is to inform them of any changes in their flood risk,” said Conn. “Some property owners may see a decrease in their flood risk, some may see an increase.”

Conn said that county-wide, analysis showed that about 200 structures are actually seeing their flood risk reduced, while only about 20-30 structures in Floyd County are seeing their flood risk increase — nearly a 10-1 ratio.

The DNR issued preliminary floodplain maps for all the communities in Floyd County in the middle of June. They met with city and county officials Tuesday afternoon to present the maps to them, and hear any concerns.

“A lot of people that we’ve spoken with are finding that there’s not much change if they live along the Cedar River,” Conn said. “If they’re in the Hyer’s Creek floodplain or the Sherman’s Creek floodplain, there are a lot of changes in those two streams.”

Representatives from FEMA and the DNR were on hand Tuesday evening to answer questions from the public about the preliminary flood maps. John Fallis, Charles City city engineer, was at the meeting as well.

“Flooding is the No. 1 natural disaster in the United States. It is vital that property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood insurance,” Fallis stated in a press release last week. He added that as a result of these map changes, some buildings throughout Floyd County may, for the first time, may be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Conn said that people who are using property as collateral for a mortgage or loan, especially if it’s a federally backed mortgage, may be required to purchase flood insurance if the property falls within the 1 percent annual chance floodplain — what is commonly known as the 100-year floodplain.

Conn said the maps are expected to go effective in December of 2019. If property owners find themselves moving into the flood plain, they’re at a higher risk than what was identified on the 2007 maps.

“We want to inform them of those changes, because it may have flood insurance implications, or  if they’re planning any development projects — they may have regulatory implications,” he said.

Conn said the open house gave people a chance to speak one-on-one with officials about their individual properties.

“If the map shows an expansion of the floodplain and their property is at a greater risk, we want to explain to them the consequences in terms of flood insurance and the floodplain management regulations if they plan to do any improvements to their structure,” Conn said.

No additional meetings are being planned before the maps go into effect unless a community requests it, he said.

“If you do have a loan, a flood insurance policy will be required, and mandated by the lending institution,” Conn said. “They typically notify people — once the new maps go into effect — they typically send out a letter and will notify them, and give them 45 days to purchase the policy.”

Conn said there are some flood insurance savings options, however, specifically “grandfathering.” If a property owner can purchase the policy before the maps take effect in December of 2019, they can buy the policy based on the 2007 maps, which show them at a lower risk, and a lower risk has a lower premium.

“They’ll lock in that lower premium and they can carry that lower premium as long as they maintain continuous coverage,” Conn said.

Residents who missed the meeting can get a look at the flood plain online at iowafloodmaps.org.

“That is an easy website to navigate, where they can find the floodplain maps for Floyd County,” said Conn.

Residents with questions regarding the floodplain can also contact the DNR at 515-725-8333 or Jason.Conn@dnr.iowa.gov.

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