90-Day Appeal Period for Filing Appeals and Comments Begins Soon
The update to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for Box Butte County is nearing completion. The new map will provide communities in Box Butte County with up to-date flood risk information and tools that can be used to enhance local mitigation plans, and help local officials and residents make informed decisions about reducing flood risks and purchasing flood insurance. The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks. The work in Box Butte County has been led by the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE), in partnership with local officials. Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Map is finalized, there will be a 90-day appeal period during which property owners and lessees can provide additional data for consideration before the map is finalized.
“During the past couple of years, the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment has been working closely with community officials throughout the county to make sure we have the most accurate picture possible of the local flood risk,” said Jamie Reinke, Division Manager of the Floodplain Management Division at DWEE. “This information will ensure that homes and businesses are insured appropriately against flooding, while also helping communities make more informed decisions about how to protect against what might otherwise be devastating flood events.”
The new map is still a preliminary version. DWEE encourages property owners and lessees to review the proposed Flood Insurance Rate Map to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements, and to identify any concerns or questions about the information provided.
If you see incorrect information that does not involve changing the flood hazard-related information – such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary – you can submit a written correction, or “comment.” If you believe the modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect, you may submit an appeal, which must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support your claim. Because submitting an appeal requires some time and effort, DWEE encourages property owners and lessees to review the updated flood maps now to determine if you are interested in pursuing this option. If you are interested in submitting a comment or appeal, we highly recommend that you first discuss it with your local floodplain administrator so they can provide you with guidance on the process. Appeals must be submitted through your local floodplain administrator. For more details on this process, visit www.FEMA.gov.