Preliminary Flood Maps Proposed for Longview

News Release
Contact:  Mark Adas
903-237-1053
July 6, 2012
 

Preliminary Flood Maps Proposed for Longview

(Longview, TX) The City of Longview has been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop updated flood maps. The purpose of the update is to provide a more precise representative of flood risk in the community. Residents, especially those that live near creeks or waterways, are encouraged to learn about the proposed changes. FEMA is asking the public to participate in a 90-day appeal/comment period regarding the preliminary flood maps during the period of June 28 – September 25.

For additional information and to view detailed versions of Longview’s preliminary flood maps, please contact City Engineer Mark Adas at 903-237-1053. In addition, City of Longview staff is available to hold informational meetings for neighborhoods as well.

According to Director of Community Services Kevin Cummings, “This update is providing more precise data than we previously had available thanks to better technology. The updated maps will give residents more information about flood risk.”

FEMA’s public release is listed below, which includes details for making public comment about the preliminary maps.

Public Invited to Comment on Gregg Co, TX Preliminary Flood Maps
Gregg County, Texas and FEMA to gather public input during 90-day appeal/comment period

Release Date: June 19, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-110

DENTON, Texas -- After months of collaboration and the continuous sharing of information resulting in preliminary flood maps, officials with Gregg County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are now asking the public to participate in a 90-day appeal/comment period.

Homeowners, renters and business owners in the cities of Clarksville City, Easton, Gladewater, Kilgore, Lakeport, Longview, Warren City and Warren Oak and in the unincorporated areas of Gregg County are encouraged to view the preliminary flood maps to better understand where flood risks have been identified. Those with comments or who would like to file an appeal have from June 28 – Sept. 25 to do so.

An appeal is a formal objection to proposed base flood elevations or flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHA) boundaries and zones, or floodways. Appeals must be based on technical data that show proposed maps to be scientifically incorrect. Anyone who makes an appeal must include the method, data and analysis used to support the claim. A comment is an objection to a base map feature change such as labels, incorrect roads, jurisdictional boundaries, or any other non-appealable change.

Comments and appeals should be sent to FEMA through the local floodplain administrator. Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps is encouraged to contact their county or community floodplain administrator. Other resources include:

• Using a live chat service about flood maps at go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• Contacting a FEMA Map Specialist at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627); email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once all comments and appeals are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

Source: http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=63396