Floodplain and Flood Protection Information

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FEMA Flood Map Changes

TOWN ANNOUNCES APPEAL PERIOD FOR PROPOSED FEMA FLOOD HAZARD DETERMINATIONS

On February 2, 2024, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent the Town of Westport a letter announcing the start of the 90-day appeal period on February 16, 2024 for the Saugatuck River watershed flood mapping project.

Letter to Town of Westport from FEMA

Federal Register Notice

FEMA is proposing revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for the Town of Westport. The new maps may include additions or modifications of special flood hazard areas, changes in base flood elevations (BFE) or depths, and flood zone designation changes.

FEMA has published notice of the proposed flood hazard determination on February 9, 2024 in the Connecticut Post. The significance of the publication is to start a 90-day appeal period, beginning February 16, 2024 and ending on May 16, 2024. The appeal period is an opportunity for the municipality or any property owners to challenge the FIRMS and the Federal Insurance Study (FIS). The appeal process is done by filing a formal written appeal to a new or revised BFE, flood zone, or floodway. Anyone considering an appeal must provide additional scientific or technical data. An appeal is not such statements as: “FEMA’s map is wrong”, “It has not flooded as long as I have lived here”, or “I don’t want my house in the floodplain or to pay flood insurance”.

During this appeal period, FEMA will also accept any comments on the preliminary maps and studies. A comment is a minor correction to the map, such as a spelling error to a street name or correction to a jurisdictional boundary.

Below are some resources for property owners on the appeal process.

Appeals and Comments, Information for Property Owners:
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_appeals-comments-info-property-owners.pdf

Appeals and Comments, Required Support Data and Documentation for Community Officials:
https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fema_appeals-comments-data-required-community-officials_2017.pdf

The appeal period begins on February 16, 2024 and will end on May 16, 2024.

It is preferred that the community gather appeals from property owners and send them in one submission to FEMA. However, FEMA will accept submissions directly from property owners if received during the appeal period. Appeal data can be sent or emailed to FEMA or USGS (FEMA’s mapping contractor) at the contacts below:

Colleen Bailey
Community Coordination Officer
FEMA Region I
220 Binney Street
Cambridge, MA 02142
Email: colleen.bailey@fema.dhs.gov

Liz Ahearn
Project Manager
U.S. Geological Survey
339 Main Street
East Hartford, CT 06118
Email: eaahearn@usgs.gov

Other helpful resources for residents:

FEMA Region I Map Update Guide:

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/747e0a9bcde14ad09323d3cb9a181e9d
This guide provides a general overview of the map update process.

Map Changes and Flood Insurance:

https://agents.floodsmart.gov/sites/default/files/fema_nfip_map-changes-flood-insurance-property-owners-09-2023.pdf
This publication provides residents with information on flood insurance requirements that may result from a flood map change.

The new proposed maps are available for review by viewing through the links provided below.

Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Studies (FIS):

https://hazards.fema.gov/femaportal/prelimdownload/
Select “Connecticut” as the State, Select “Fairfield County” as the County from the drop down boxes. This website provides a total list of the affected panels in the watershed. Here is the list of affected panels for Westport: 0392, 0394, 0403, 0404, 0411, 0412, 0413, 0414, 0416, 0418, 0551, 0552.

For a resident to find which flood map panel pertains to their address, they should first go to the FEMA Map Service Center website https://msc.fema.gov and type their address into the search box.

FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer:

https://fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=e7a7dc3ebd7f4ad39bb8e485bb64ce44
This viewer will show the preliminary panels and has an address search box.

FEMA Flood Hazard and Risk Data Viewer:

https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/e492db86d9b348399f4bd20330b4b274/page/Page/?views=Sea-Level-Dataset%2CPrelim
On left hand side under the category Preliminary Flood Hazard Data, click on “View Map” to see the preliminary flood maps. To see current flood map for comparison, under the category of Effective Flood Hazard Data, click on “View Map”. Data layers can be turned on and off in the upper right corner. You can search by address.

After the appeal period ends, FEMA will evaluate the data received and revise the preliminary FIRM and FIS if appropriate. Once all appeals are resolved, FEMA will send an appeal resolution letter to the community and all appellants.

For questions regarding the new mapping or appeals process, please contact Deputy Planning and Zoning Director Michelle Perillie, at (203) 341-1076 or mperillie@westportct.gov.