Results Will Help Homeowners Determine Flood Risk
PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. (June 9, 2011)—Staff members of the Calvert County Department of Planning and Zoning are working to update the county’s floodplain program in preparation for the adoption of the county’s first flood mitigation plan. To review this effort and learn more about local flood risks, the public is invited to a floodplain forum on Thursday, June 16, at the Calvert Pines Senior Center Auditorium, 450 West Dares Beach Road in Prince Frederick. An open house begins at 6 p.m. with a presentation starting at 7 p.m.
The floodplain planning program is part of a national effort to assess the flood risks faced by communities and to provide government officials and homeowners with information vital to planning, permitting and insurance coverage. Calvert County’s floodplain program includes the adoption of a flood mitigation plan, adoption of updated floodplain regulations and adoption of new county floodplain maps developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The flood mitigation plan will become part of the Calvert County’s emergency management plan. The adoption of the new floodplain regulations and floodplain maps will ensure the county remains eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program.
The planning process takes into consideration factors such as river flow, storm tides, rainfall, and coastal storm surge. Using this data along with information gathered from local site visits, FEMA has produced new floodplain maps for Calvert County. These preliminary maps may be viewed online at
www.co.cal.md.us/.../DraftFloodPlainMaps.pdf. Maps for all of Maryland are available at
www.mdfloodmaps.com by clicking on the “Flood Risk Application” link. Proposed revisions to Calvert County floodplain regulations are also available at
www.co.cal.md.us/government/departments/planning/floodplain.asp.
Residents may use the preliminary floodplain maps to investigate their flood risk status and determine whether to make modifications to flood insurance coverage. The maps are scheduled to become effective in December, 2011. For locations that require flood insurance, buying it now or revisiting current policies is advantageous. The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Grandfather Rule allows citizens to save money when they obtain a flood insurance policy before the new maps take effect.
For more information or to reserve a spot at the floodplain forum, call 410-535-1600, ext. 2356.