COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Residents and business owners in Branch County now have an opportunity to review updated preliminary flood risk information and new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to understand their local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements.
The 90-day appeal and comment period officially began on Friday.
This timeframe allows community stakeholders to identify concerns, ask questions, and submit formal appeals or comments before the maps are finalized.
Property owners are strongly encouraged to review the information, as most standard insurance policies do not cover flood damage, and more than 40% of National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims come from outside high-risk flood zones.
The preliminary maps and information comparing them to current maps can be viewed online using the FEMA Flood Map Changes Viewer https:https://hazards-fema.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5852ea902db44e55bfce395799315f9c
The updated maps were developed through coordination between local, state, and federal FEMA officials. While significant review has already occurred, this public comment period is a critical final step.
To submit technical appeals or general comments, property owners should contact their local floodplain administrator.
Appeals must be supported by technical data, such as hydraulic or hydrologic information. Appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed or future projects.
Written comments can be submitted for non-hazard related errors, such as a misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary.
Once all comments and appeals are resolved, FEMA will announce the final maps’ effective date.
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