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MANATEE COUNTY, FL (May 30, 2012) ? The public is invited to look at newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for the county at an open house Monday, June 11. The new maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.
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The open house will provide Manatee County residents the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.
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The open house will be Monday, June 11 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Manatee High School cafeteria, 902 33rd Street Court West.
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The new maps were produced through a partnership between Manatee County and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). They are more precise than older maps because better flood hazard and risk data and the latest science available have been applied to make the maps more accurate, with the ultimate goal of protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Additionally, flood risks change over time due to construction and development, environmental changes, floodplain widening or shifting, and other factors?which is why it?s important that maps are updated periodically.
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?Flood maps are being updated for communities across the country,? said Tom Gerstenberger, Manatee County Engineering Division Manager. ?This is a collaborative process, during which FEMA works closely with local communities to incorporate the latest and most accurate information into the maps so that they better reflect the risk that communities face.?
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Property owners, renters, Realtors, mortgage lenders and insurance agents are encouraged to attend the open house to meet with specialists and ask questions, and learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their communities.
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Manatee County?s preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted and will become effective after a public comment period. This period allows property owners to submit comments and appeals if they can show that any part of the maps is in error. Specialists will be available at the open house to address questions that residents may have about this process.
While the timeline for adopting the final maps is still tentative, visit http://www.mymanatee.org/gisapps/mapviewer/index.jsp?type=dfirm for updates as they are made available.
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By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on properties that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Even people living outside of high-risk areas can experience flooding, which is the most common and costly natural disaster in the U.S. ? That?s why everyone, regardless of their flood zone, should take steps to financially protect themselves from a disaster which affects far too many communities each year. The primary way to do that is by purchasing flood insurance. It?s available at affordable rates through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a voluntary program administered by FEMA.
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Standard homeowner?s, business owner?s, and renter?s insurance policies don?t cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. NFIP policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agents who people already deal with for other property insurance needs. ?When that isn?t possible, NFIP can put people in touch with another agent. ?Visit www.floodsmart.gov ?for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.
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For more information on Manatee County Government, visit online at www.mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501.
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