New flood maps, new insurance rates
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is changing its flood zone maps in Glenn County, which could change some insurance rates, too.
FEMA engineer Kathleen Schaefer discussed the issue Tuesday with the Glenn County Board of Supervisors since FEMA manages the National Flood Insurance Program.
The U.S. Army Corps. of Engineers does flood control through levee projects, Schaefer said, but FEMA tries to control growth in flood plains by mapping areas prone to flooding and encouraging local governments not to approve projects in high-risk locations.
The agency is moving its maps to a digital format, so overlays can be placed on FEMA maps, she said, through Google Earth sites. Paper maps have been used since the 1970s, Schaefer said, and while useful, are not in as much demand as digital maps are today.
“There are not a lot of changes impacting residences (in the update),” she said. “But some agricultural areas are affected.”
In the past, FEMA did not look as closely at the condition of levees, she said, but now it looks at whether they meet the agency’s minimal criteria for safety.
Erosion, levee seepage and similar problems are common in levees along large waterways like the Sacramento River, Schaefer said, which is where more flood risk has been determined.
She said counties and local agencies can have a levee inspected and certified by a licensed engineer or a federal agency to determine their safety level.
Weakened levees will impact flood insurance rates in areas where the risk is high, she said.
Flood insurance on homes and buildings is available to any property owner who wants it, Schaefer said, and is required by lenders of government-backed loans.
The insurance is not available for crops or orchards, she said.
Areas of flooding in Glenn County include locations along the Sacramento River, Walker Creek, Stony Creek, Willow Creek and Butte Creek.
A final determination letter on the maps should be issued in February or March, Schaefer said, with the new guidelines going into effect by August or September.
Rates also can be reduced if a home or business owner gets an elevation certificate from an accredited source, she said.
Deputy Glenn County Planning Director Annette Chavez said the county has a list of property owners impacted by the new map zones who will be notified of the changes.
Community meetings also will be scheduled, and some have been conducted on the issue, Chavez said.
Planning Director John Linhart added paper maps are available in the planning department office for public review for those without computer access. People also can link onto the maps via the county’s Web site.
For FEMA information on flood insurance programs and rates, call 1-800-427-4661 or visit online at www.floodsmart.gov.
