FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL PARTNERS TEAM UP TO IDENTIFY TEXAS COASTAL FLOOD RISKS – Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Jefferson and…

federal, state and local PARTNERS TEAM UP TO IDENTIFY Texas COASTAL FLOOD RISKS  

Storm surge study provides update on flood risks in Jefferson and Orange Counties

DENTON, Texas – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating flood maps in Jefferson and Orange, Texas counties following the release of a new, comprehensive storm surge study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that gives updated information on coastal flood risks

As FEMA works to update the new flood maps, the agency is working closely with its federal, state and local partners to help these two coastal counties better understand the current flood risk so that action can be taken to reduce that risk.

Meetings with local officials have already taken place and open houses for the general public are currently being scheduled.  The local workshops provided an opportunity for local officials to review the storm surge study methods and get an update on the project’s progress.  The Open Houses help to educate the public about the current flood risks in their area.

The Texas-based coastal flood mapping effort is part of FEMA’s comprehensive approach to integrating flood hazard identification and analysis with risk communications for affected coastal counties. In addition to the two counties, the effort also includes Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio, San Patricio, Victoria and Willacy counties.

Media note:  If media would like to join an online, informational briefing beginning at 1 p.m. (CST) Wednesday, Aug. 22 please call us at 940-898-5454 for details.

###

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.