Digital Preliminary Flood Maps for Georgia Coast Ready for Public Viewing

ATLANTA, Ga. –Newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for the Georgia coastal areas of Camden, Effingham, Glynn, and Long Counties will be available for residents to review at four public open houses the week of April 18-22. Flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and when they become effective, updated maps will be used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open house provides residents of these coastal areas the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding, and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.

The open houses will be held between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. The open house dates and locations are:

April 18, 2016

Glynn County

Ballard Complex

325 Old Jessup Rd.

Brunswick, GA 31520

April 19, 2016

Long County

Ludowici City Hall

469 North Macon St.

Ludowici, GA 31316

April 20, 2016

Camden County

PSA Building

1050 Wildcat Dr.

Kingsland, GA 31548

April 21, 2016

Effingham County

Effingham County Administrative Complex

601 North Laurel St.

Springfield, Georgia 31329

The new preliminary maps were released through a partnership among the counties, their municipalities, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data make the maps more accurate. The ultimate goal is protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, floodplains widen or shift, and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

Home and business owners, renters, realtors, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house. All who attend can meet with specialists to ask questions and learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their communities.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners’, business owners’, and renters’ insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agent. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 888-379-9531 for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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