MANATEE COUNTY, FL (November 1, 2019) — Manatee County officials are now accepting appeals for the new FEMA preliminary flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) that were announced earlier this year. The new flood maps and elevation requirements may impact insurance rates for some Manatee County homeowners.
Any property owner or lessee who believes his or her property rights will be adversely affected by the proposed flood hazard determinations may submit an appeal. The appeal must contain information or data that shows the proposed flood hazard determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect.
All appeals must be submitted to Manatee County, which will review and submit the appeals to FEMA in January. The public can submit their appeals now through Dec. 31 by email to [email protected] or by mail to 1112 Manatee Ave. W, 4th Floor, Bradenton, FL 34205.
Over time, flood risks change due to weather events, environmental changes, erosion, land use and other factors. Maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes. FEMA recently released updated, digital flood hazard maps that show the extent to which areas throughout the county are at risk for flooding.
The new preliminary FIRM is based on updated coastal modeling and Gamble Creek watershed in Parrish. The map shows flood hazards more accurately than older maps. FIRMs indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk. After reviewing the new Manatee County FIRM, many property owners may find that their risk is higher or lower than they thought. If the risk level for a property changes, so may the requirement to carry flood insurance.
Residents can find out whether their flood zone has changed at www.mymanatee.org/floodzonechanges
For more information on Manatee County Government, visit www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. You can also follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/manatee.county.fl and on Twitter, @ManateeGov.