November 11, 2022 |
In something of a surprise move, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has produced new, updated flood maps for the Town of Saratoga. The maps have changed since the last time they were publicly presented to the town. Properties that were not in the previous iteration of the map may now be included.
FEMA has implemented their Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning, program. According to the FEMA website, a Risk MAP is a way for communities to better prepare for floods using more accurate flood maps and government outreach. Towns can use these tools to reduce the damage from flooding emergencies.
Critics see FEMA including more people into flood zones to increase revenue for Washington. On one hand the feds blame climate change for the drought in the west while at the same time they produce flood maps that encompass a larger area.
The updated maps for Saratoga fit the contradictory pattern.
At last Tuesday’s Saratoga Town Council meeting, Councilmembers Jon Nelson and Kathy Beck talked about the revised FEMA map. In the works since 2018, changes to the maps were shown to the public last year. Councilman Nelson said FEMA is preparing to finalize their designs.
Pictured above: FEMA Flood Map.
FEMA’s timeline for completing the new flood map is Fall of 2023.
On October 20th, Councilmembers Beck and Nelson attended an online meeting with FEMA representatives. Nelson said he asked FEMA to send someone to Saratoga to address issues about how the new maps were drawn to include additional properties in flood prone areas.
Nelson said he didn’t understand how FEMA came up with the data they used to determine which properties were at risk from flooding.
The updated map will have an impact on flood insurance prices. The FEMA design shows the area east of the elementary school, as well as north of town, to be in the flood plain. In some cases, a property will be drawn into the high flood risk area while an adjacent property is not.
Councilwoman Beck said all the FEMA resources can be found on the Carbon County website. She said she understands how people can find the new flood boundaries confusing.
Beck encouraged the public to go online and see the map for themselves.
Nelson said FEMA hasn’t confirmed whether or not they will visit the town before submitting their final designs.
Councilmembers Beck and Nelson advise residents, especially those in the lower downtown area to inspect the updated maps.
The FEMA flood map can be found on the Carbon County GIS and Rural Addressing website or, directly, at: https://carbonwy.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=c15a878d7c654f1b83f8527bc3e74de3
