BOSTON – Communities throughout Cumberland and York counties in the state of Maine are receiving updated preliminary flood hazard maps on November 5, 2013, as part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s nationwide program to modernize Flood Insurance Rate Maps. The maps should be available for viewing shortly after November 5, 2013.
The release of these maps is the result of a long process which involved extensive collaboration with state and local partners. This long term project began in 2004 and will culminate when these maps are reviewed and finally approved at the end of the process.
Flood hazard maps, also known as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps, indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk. In reviewing the new maps of Cumberland and York counties, many property owners may find that their risk of flooding is higher or lower than they thought. If the risk level for a property changes, so may the requirement to carry flood insurance.
Community officials and residents should look at the new preliminary flood maps to become familiar with the flood risks in their community and to see whether the flood zone has changed around their property. The maps can be viewed at each community’s municipal office, or online at the FEMA Map Service Center, found at https://msc.fema.gov. Every community will receive both a paper copy and a digital copy of the new maps to share with their residents for review before the maps become finalized.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency encourages residents of Cumberland and York counties to view the new maps, understand their level of flood risk, and learn how their properties may be affected. Residents are also encouraged to contact an insurance representative to learn more about financial steps they may be able to take in order to protect their investment. Additional information outlining the entire map adoption process and the next steps for communities and residents will be provided soon after the maps are released on November 5, 2013.
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