New Maps in Bennington County!

The long-anticipated Bennington County Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map became effective 12/2/2015.  The data can now be found online at:

• FEMA Map Service Center www.msc.fema.gov 
• Flood Ready Atlas tinyurl.com/floodreadyatlas (Html 5); 
• Vermont Natural Resource Atlas tinyurl.com/vt-floodmap  (Silverlight).

The FEMA Map Service Center allows users to search by address and find the effective and historic flood maps for any location.  The MSC also has the Flood Insurance Study and Letters of Map Amendment.  Outside of the areas with Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps the MSC has scanned copies of the “white/paper” FIRMs.

The Vermont Natural Resource Atlas has two online platforms.  The Html 5 version can be used by all computers and browsers.  The Silverlight version requires Internet Explorer and a PC that can load the Microsoft Silverlight software (a fairly quick process).

Where there are DFIRMs available, the MSC allows users to download GIS versions of the Special Flood Hazard Areas and other vector data.

The Vermont Center for Geographic Information will also post the GIS data later this month.

On the Flood Ready Atlas you can find a specialized layer for Flood Hazard Mapping that shows areas of Vermont with effective DFIRMs.

With the process in Bennington County completed no other flood map updates are scheduled by FEMA in Vermont.  This leaves large areas of the state with old maps needing attention.  Any future map work by FEMA will be handled through the RiskMAP approach.  RiskMAP uses a HUC-8 watershed boundary as the basis of map updates.  This would be the equivalent of the Missisquoi or Passumpsic River watersheds.

September 1 and 2 Bennington County - Flood Insurance Meetings

The Bennington County maps showing high risk flood hazard areas will officially change on December 2. Two open house events are scheduled for people that want to learn more about flood risk, flood insurance and the effect of the map update.  

Is your house or business in a hazard area?   This is a particularly important question for buildings that are identified as at a high risk on the December map but not at high risk on the older map.

FEMA Flood Information Open House Events are scheduled for:

• Tuesday September 1, 4-6:30 pm Manchester at the Spiral Press Café, 15 Bonnet Street, and
• Wednesday September 2, 4 -7 pm Bennington at the Bennington Free Library, 101 Silver Street

At these events Bennington county residents can meet one-on-one with Federal and State officials to identify if their building is in a Special Flood Hazard Area.   FEMA insurance specialists will be on hand to discuss flood insurance requirements and opportunities to make your building safer and less costly to insure.

Getting insurance now, before the map change to “grandfather the old zone” may be an important opportunity in situations where the older maps show a building to be outside the Special Flood Hazard Area and the new map shows it in.

The new December 2015 flood maps can be viewed on the Flood Ready Atlas: tinyurl.com/floodreadyatlas .   Use Flood Ready Tools to “Find Address” and “Toggle Flood Data On”.  

The older maps can be viewed on FEMA’s Map Service Center www.msc.fema.gov .

These open house events for flood resiliency are provided to help residents understand flood risks as shown on the new Bennington County Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map and to take steps to reduce the risk of flood damage to families, buildings and communities.

Live in Bennington County? Check the New Flood Map! (6/9/15)

Live in Bennington County? - Check the New Flood Map !

On December 2, 2015 the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map will go into effect covering Bennington County, Vermont.  If you live in or near a floodplain you should check the map to see what level of risk has been identified for your building.

The Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A and AE) on the new Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) can be viewed on the Flood Ready Atlas tinyurl.com/floodreadyatlas.   Choose "Flood Ready Tools" then "Zoom to Address" and "Toggle Flood Data On".

Special Flood Hazard Areas include areas with a 1% annual chance of flooding.  This is more than a 1 in 4 chance over the period of a 30 year mortgage.  Some parts of the mapped floodplain get flooded more frequently and are subject to high velocity flows.

The current FIRMs (made town by town) will expire in December.  They can be viewed online (as .pdfs) at the FEMA Map Service Center www.msc.fema.gov   You can make a small official FIRMette map and plot the location of your building from mapped road intersections.

Check the maps to determine if your building is at risk of damage from the base flood.   Federal law requires lenders to ensure that any mortgages or loans to buildings in the high risk SFHA have insurance to at least cover the mortgage, the value of the building, or the total amount available from the National Flood Insurance Program (whichever is lowest).

If your building was built before the first municipal Flood Insurance Rate Map (late 1970's), and your structure will become identified as being at high risk for the first time, you should learn about "grandfathering your flood zone".  To grandfather your flood zone you would need to buy a flood insurance policy before the map change and then maintain the policy going forward.  This would give you an opportunity to grandfather the lower risk / lower cost Zone X status on the basis of "continuity of coverage".

There will be public meetings in the fall to discuss flood insurance, grandfathering, and how to make buildings less vulnerable to damage and less costly to insure.

Bennington County has over 600 families as well as educational, government and critical facilities in the high risk flood zone.

Across the county (and the state) the Town of Bennington has the most structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area, around 480 (8% of all buildings in town).

Overall there seem to be around 450 buildings that may be indicated as in the high risk flood hazard area (Zone A, AE, AO) for the first time.  Approximately 350 have been newly identified as in the low to moderate risk Zone X.

The towns with the most structures that have been newly identified as at high risk include Bennington, Pownal, Arlington, Manchester and Dorset.

Watch for updates regarding insurance meetings in the fall.

Bennington County - Appeal Period for Flood Hazard Maps

A new/second appeal period for the Bennington County flood hazard maps will begin next week and continue for ninety days until February 10, 2015.

The Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) can be viewed online at the FEMA Map Service Center.   The currently effective FIRM maps can also be found on the MSC.  You can search by address to find the correct map, however the currently effective maps do not have an aerial photograph in the background.

The Preliminary DFIRM data can also be found on the VT ANR Natural Resource Atlas tinyurl.com/vt-floodmap   Use “Quick Tools” to “Zoom to Town” or “Find an Address”.

Here is some FEMA information that may be of use:

• Understanding the Changes to Your Community’s Flood Insurance Rate Map.
• Expanded Appeals Process fact sheet.
• Criteria for Appeals of Flood Insurance Rate Maps

This is the last formal window for communities to make minor corrections or to supply scientific or technical data that would replace the information in the Preliminary Flood Insurance Study and DFIRM.   Communities that receive appeals and supporting data from individuals should consolidate and review any appeal data from individuals.   Whether or not the community chooses to appeal please send copies of individual appeals and supporting data to:

Justin King, Project Manager Stantec, 5565 Centerview Drive, Suite 107; Raleigh, NC 27606 

After February and any appropriate changes, there will Letter of Final Determination and a six-month adoption period.  It is likely that the Bennington County DFIRM will become effective next fall.

This is a very good time to look at the Preliminary DFIRM data to better understand inundation flood risks near your location.

For more information on the flood hazard maps, appeals and Letters of Map Amendment please contact a FEMA Map Specialist at

The FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX).

FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com

(877) FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627)

After the data becomes effective changes can still be made through the Letter of Map Change process. 

New Flood Map for Richmond Goes Into Effect Aug. 4 Last Chance to Grandfather Flood Zone

An updated flood map will become effective in the Town of Richmond on August 4, 2014. Flood Insurance Rate Maps are produced by FEMA to identify flood hazard risks for the National Flood Insurance Program.  The current and future flood hazard maps are viewable at the Richmond Town Center Building.  The current map is also online at the FEMA map service center www.msc.fema.gov .  To view the new maps (upcoming Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM)) please visit the Vermont Flood Ready Atlas at tinyurl.com/floodreadyatlas

Owners of buildings in Richmond should be aware of the flood risks shown on the new map.  Over one hundred buildings currently identified as in low risk locations will be reclassified as being in high risk locations when the new map goes into effect. If a building is currently identified as in a low risk location, and later will be in a high risk location, a special low cost insurance opportunity is available to those who obtain flood insurance immediately before the map change.

The Town of Richmond has worked with Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission to help identify buildings in or near the area of map change.  Please remember that the official version of the current map (July 5, 1982) is actually the paper (or .pdf) version of the map.  Contact the Richmond Town Planner at 434-2430 or townplanner@gmavt.net for more information.

Buildings identified as going from low risk to high risk during the map change are eligible to obtain flood insurance now at the lowest rate.  If the policy with the grandfathered rate zone is maintained it can be passed on to future owners. Structures in the area of map change that do not have an active policy (check deposited) by the time the new designation goes into effect will have access to a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) in the first year, then rates will gradually increase to the full costs for a property considered high risk. Please note that the policy must be paid, processed and fully in effect before August 4th to qualify for lower rates. To get flood insurance or more information on grandfathering contact the agent that provides your homeowner’s insurance or find an agent using www.FloodSmart.gov

Flood insurance is rated for the highest risk area that any part of the building touches.   Any mortgage or loan to a building in the Special Flood Hazard Area must have insurance for the flood risk. In Richmond, most of the structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area as identified on the new map do not have flood insurance and would benefit by immediately securing insurance.

The Town of Richmond has reached out to people in the area of change to inform them of their need to get insurance.  Affected residents who wish to obtain grandfathered status and rates should not delay. Flood insurance must be paid, processed and in effect by August 4th in order to achieve grandfathered status.

Update on the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA)

Last week we had provided news about the US Congress passing the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) at the end of March.  Since then, FEMA has published an overview of the the bill found on their website and in the FEMA Resource Library.  This overview document can also be found on our Flood Hazard Management webpage.

We have also started to get some information on how HFIAA will impact people in Vermont specifically, as well as the impacts to flood insurance nationally.  Here is a short summary:

• It will take some time to start to implement provisions of the new law:
• In the short term, there may still be individuals that get hit with full actuarial rates due to a new policy on a preFIRM residence (home built before the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were created).  This new policy could be due to a lapsed flood insurance policy or a new policy being written due to a transfer of the property and/or a requirement by a lender for flood insurance;
• There will also be a lag for people who will be expecting refunds due to the change in their flood insurance premium as a result of the HFIAA.
• If you are a property owner living in Bennington County or in the Town/Village of Richmond here in Vermont:  FEMA will be releasing new preliminary or effective DFIRMs in the coming year.  Richmond's new DFIRMs are scheduled to become effective on 8/2/2014.  Bennington County's new DFIRMs are anticipated to become effective about one year from now (March 2015).  If the new preliminary DFIRMs show your house to be located in the mapped flood hazard area where you had not been shown to be located in the flood hazard area on previous FIRMs, you may be eligible for a grandfathered flood insurance rating.  Anyone who may be eligible for receiving grandfathered flood insurance rates is encouraged to get flood insurance BEFORE the new DFIRMs become effective for your community.  For more information regarding FEMA's grandfathering policy, please see an earlier post that was written for the Washington County map update process.  Please note that the estimated flood insurance premiums discussed may be different due to the effects of either Biggert Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 (BW12) or HFIAA.  

UPDATE **For Properties newly mapped into the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area: your first year would be rated as a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) rate - i.e. as if you are not located in the flood hazard area.  Policy ratings in subsequent years would be based on the same phase-in method used to eliminate pre-FIRM suubsidies.

• Flood Insurance premiums are going up for everyone.  While the HFIAA is allowing a phase-in of higher rates for primary homeowners, the law is still enabling a push for all policies to eventually reach full actuarial rates.  Property owners should seriously consider mitigating their home or structure(s) to reduce their flood risk and reduce the cost of flood insurance.  Additional information about mitigating your home or structure can be found on the VT Flood Resilience Sharepoint site found under either "Step 5: Insure" or "Step 3: Reduce".  

If you are a local official or someone else that may be helping individuals affected by the changes from the HFIAA, the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) will be offering two upcoming webinars in May and June focused on the changes to Biggert Waters 2012 from HFIAA (see dates below).  From the ASFPM announcement, the first webinar in early April filled up and these two follow up webinars are also expected fill up quickly.  

Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA) of 2014 (AKA Grimm-Waters 2014) meets Biggert-Waters 2012: Impacts and Implications

Learn how the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act modifies and expands on BW-12 implications

1 core CEC for CFMs

$30 for ASFPM Individual Members*

$45 ASFPM Chapters/Agencies/Corporate Partners*

$60 Non-members

*Members must enter the event promo code at registration to receive the preferred rate.  ASFPM members should register through the ASFPM Membership Login page.  

More information about the webinars can found by clicking on the webinar flyer links below:

Friday, May 2nd, 2014; 2:00pm-3:00pm (EDT)

Thursday, June 26th, 2014; 2:00pm-3:00pm (EDT)

Am I in a Flood Hazard Area?

Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) are shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) as Zone A, AE, AH, AO or A 1- 30.   FIRM maps can be viewed at the municipal office but they can also be found online at the FEMA Map Service Center

Most Vermont communities have FIRMs and some communities have an officially-digital version called the Digital FIRM or DFIRM.  DFIRMs are available in Chittenden, Rutland, Washington, Windham, and Windsor Counties and for several towns (Bradford, Hardwick, Jay, Montgomery, Newbury, Wolcott, and Stowe).

DFIRMs can be viewed at:

FEMA Flood Map Viewer , OR

Vermont Natural Resources Atlas at  tinyurl.com/vt-flood 

and using the Google Earth kmz file available at the FEMA Map Service Center).

Preliminary DFIRM data is now available for Bennington County (5/18/12) and the Town of Richmond (9/11/13).   

Preliminary DFIRM data can be viewed at the municipal office or found online at the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas. 

To view the Preliminary DFIRM data in the Atlas

1.      Use Quick Tools to search for a street address

2.      Find the best result in the list and click on it, the choose Zoom to Feature

3.      Click on Map Layers (shown as a stack of green, red and gray layers at the bottom of the screen).

4.      Click on the "+" sign next to the Watershed Protection  Layers

5.      Click on the empty box next to Special Flood Hazard Areas (Preliminary DFIRM)  Layer

6.      Click on the gray box beside that layer to reveal the Legend

To print or save a map:

1.      Click on the Map Tools icon (wrench and screwdriver) in upper right corner of screen.

2.      Click on Print Map (it will automatically incorporate a legend and scale bar).  You can choose to “print” (save) a pdf or jpg version and then email or print that image.

Non-DFIRM Maps (FIRMs and FHBMs)

Where the community does not have an official DFIRM you can view the current data online and make a FIRMette (a small version of the official data).  FIRM maps do not have an aerial image in the background so you must include features such as intersections from which to measure and plot the location of your building.

To find a FIRM use the Product Catalog.   Then click on Get Current FEMA Issued Flood Maps.

In the list of maps the map ending in INDO (eg 500001IND0 ) is the index or map of map panels.   Once you have your bearings on the map panel you can open the correct panel and Make a FIRMette, and save it as a pdf or tif.

Need Map Help?

FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX)

FEMA Map Specialist 1-877-FEMA-MAP,   FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com

Structures in the Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A, AE, A1-30, AO, AH) have more than a 1 in 4 chance of being exposed to a flood during a 30 year mortgage.  

FEMA's Floodsmart website has information about flood insurance and a tool to estimate flood damage for a structure built on a slab.

FEMA Flood Hazard Map Updates

Currently in Vermont a flood map update process is underway in Bennington County and the Town of Richmond.   Beyond those areas there is no other work scheduled by FEMA.

At this time roughly half the state does not have access to Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) this includes most of Addison, Grand Isle, Franklin, Lamoille, Orleans, Essex, Caledonia and Orange Counties.  Most of these maps are over 30 years old.

Years since Publication of Flood Maps

FEMA began a modernization process for the flood hazard maps in 2004 with the primary intention of making an official computer version available for users.  It was projected at that time that the process would be complete nationally by 2009.  Since that time pressure for updated studies (not just digitized), and the requirements, for those studies have increased the quality of the new maps at the expense of the quantity.

Since FFY11 the federal budget for map updates has been cut by 60% and priority for the dwindling investment has been directed to mapping flood hazards for coastal communities and communities behind levees.

Federal Budget Allocated to Update Flood Maps

When funding does become available for mapping in Vermont it will be through the process and standards of RiskMAP.   Through RiskMAP new flood hazard maps need to have high quality topography (i.e. the equivalent of two foot contour intervals) and a model-based delineation of flood hazards.  The map work will focus on watersheds (HUC-8).

HUC-8 Watersheds in Vermont

At this time multiple agencies have worked through USGS in Vermont to secure high quality topography from LiDAR for several watersheds that need updated flood hazard maps.  These areas include: the Missisquoi, Upper Connecticut River, and lower Otter Creek Watersheds.  LiDAR is also being acquired for much of the Lake Champlain Shoreline.

In March of this year the Association of State Floodplain Managers released a paper Flood Mapping for the Nation: A Cost Analysis for the Nation’s Flood Map Inventory  detailing funding needs to complete and maintain flood maps nationally.

VT DEC continues to express the acute need for map updates in Vermont.  Hopefully, as national coastal projects are finalized, FEMA can initiate work on inland riverine and lakeside flood maps.  Inadequate funding from Congress will prolong the absence of accessible and current data.  Data that is needed to plan for plan for community flood resilience, mitigate structures, and to correctly identify flood risk for insurance needs.

Bennington County DFIRM Update

The Bennington County Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) will be updated by FEMA to include new data provided by the Town of Bennington for flood hazards along the Roaring Branch of the Walloomsac.  The new Preliminary DFIRM will be released in the fall and a new 90-day Review and Appeal Period will open in February 2014. 

At this time it is projected that the Bennington County DFIRM will get a Letter of Final Determination in September 2014 and become effective in March 2015.

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012 has expanded the opportunities for map appeals.  Now, where ever the delineation of the flood hazard has changed (not just the Base Flood Elevation) the community can present FEMA with higher quality engineering data for inclusion.  Please see the information at: Changes to FEMA’s Appeals Process.

Communities in Bennington County that are still in the process of updating their flood hazard area bylaws should plan to complete the process before the holidays 2014.

In the meantime, communities may want to update their bylaws to qualify for Flood Resilient Communities incentives under ERAF.

August STARR Webinars for DFIRMs, Elevation Certificates, Biggert-Waters, and Determining a BFE

Hello all,

I’d like to present the upcoming free, online trainings available through STARR. These trainings cover a variety of topics, from the NFIP basics through specifics of elevation certificates, and are presented by STARR staff, FEMA, and State organizations. Many of the courses are eligible for CEC credits for Certified Floodplain Managers.

Please feel free to register for any courses you are interested in attending, and invite or pass information on these courses on to potentially interested communities or organizations in your states. Also, if you are interested in using this online platform for any trainings that your state would like to present, STARR can support you in that effort. Please let me know if you’d like additional information on hosting online trainings.

To register for a course or to check on upcoming courses, navigate to http://j.mp/starrwebtraining  and click the “Upcoming” tab. 

Below are the courses available in August:

August 14, 12:00 pm Eastern – Using DFIRMs and Other Digital Flood Data

This one-hour beginner level session will provide a basic overview of digital flood insurance rate maps (DFIRMs) including how to use the DFIRM database in ArcGIS, using flood hazard data for mitigation and public outreach, and online resources for non-GIS users. The target audience are state and local officials that use DFIRMs for day to day floodplain management duties and/or beginner level GIS staff that support those functions. 1 CEC for ASFPM CFMs

August 15, 1:00 pm Eastern – Elevation Certificates for A Zones

Training on the proper way to complete FEMA Form 81-31 and best practices for using the Elevation Certificate in the floodplain development review process. Special consideration to using the form in A Zone without a BFE. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs) that register and attend individually and pass the learning objectives quiz at the end of the session.

August 21, 2:00 pm Eastern – Biggert-Waters NFIP Reform Act of 2012

The Biggert-Waters National Flood Insurance Program Reform Act of 2012 (BW-12) resulted in major changes to the NFIP. This session will provide an overview of the changes and implementation. This is an important informational opportunity for all local officials participating in the NFIP. Continuing Education and Professional Development Credits are available.

August 22, 1:00 pm Eastern – Elevation Certificates

Training on the proper way to complete FEMA Form 81-31 and best practices for using the Elevation Certificate in the floodplain development review process. 2 CECs for ASFPM Certified Floodplain Managers (CFMs) that register and attend individually and pass the learning objectives quiz at the end of the session.

August 28, 2:00 pm Eastern – Determining a Base Flood Elevation

Training on methods for determining base flood elevation in AE and A Zones using the FIRM/FIS and other resources, including tips for developing BFEs for A Zones. 1 CEC for CFMs.

Please contact Alex Sirotek from STARR if you have any questions.

Alex Sirotek, CFM 

STARR 

FEMA Region 1 Regional Service Center 

99 High Street, 3rd Floor 

Boston, MA 02110 

617-574-4402

Washington County – Do new maps show your Home in a Flood Hazard Area for the First Time?

The Washington County Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) will become effective on March 19, 2013.   This is an important time to look at your flood insurance needs.

If your structure is in the Special Flood Hazard Area for the first time (please see the earlier blog post “Washington County - New Flood Map Effective March 2013” ) then you should get flood insurance well before the map change to benefit from a more gradual change in insurance costs.

As a structure that is now in a Zone X (outside the Special Flood Hazard Area) your structure will probably qualify for the most favorable terms of a Preferred Risk Policy.  A Preferred Risk Policy is intended to cover the structure and contents from damage from overland flooding in areas that are not high risk areas.

The Preferred Risk Policy can be renewed on an annual basis twice after the effective date for the new Washington County DFIRM.  At the end of that period the actuarial rate of flood insurance for the structure will be determined and the cost of insurance will increase step-wise until the premium is at full actuarial rates for the correct risk zone.

In 2012 the Biggert-Waters Act made a number of changes to the National Flood Insurance Program.  Most of the changes are intended to eliminate subsides so as to cover the actual operating costs of the NFIP, and therefore flood insurance premiums are expected to increase.  The implementation of the B-W12 legislation is being phased in over the next few years.

During this period of map change there is still an opportunity to take advantage of the Preferred Risk Policy and PRP Extension.   To secure the PRP it would be best to have the insurance agent deposit the payment at least 30 days before the effective date of the new map.  Since the date of the new map in Washington County is March 19, 2013 - a PRP policy should be secured by early February.

 Existing Letters of Map Change

If your home or site has a Letter of Map Amendment (LOMA) you should check on what the effect of the new map will be.  Most LOMAs will continue to be valid; however other LOMAs will be affected by the new data and will no longer be valid.   Every municipality in Washington County has been provided with a Summary of Map Actions (SOMA) to identify how the new DFIRM will act on existing Letters of Map Change. 

Copies of LOMCs since 1997 are available online at the FEMA Map Service Center.

If your structure is currently out- by-letter but will be identified as in the Special Flood Hazard Area when maps become official in March,you should take advantage of the PRP option, too.

Contact your community Zoning Administrator for more information on the effect of the map, or, contact VT DEC with your LOMC Case Id number or street address.

Do you need Flood Insurance?

Perhaps, and it may be critical.  The Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map provides key information about exposure of locations to damage from inundation.  However flooding and flooding-related erosion damage occurs in many areas that are not well studied or mapped.

Your homeowner’s insurance policy does not cover damage caused by the overland flow of water.  Damage from this kind of impact is only covered by flood insurance.  Wet basements impacted by groundwater levels can be carried as a special rider on your homeowner’s policy.  Ask your insurance agent about these.

Aside from the legal requirements regarding mortgages and flood insurance, flood damage can and does occur more widely.  Damage from flooding can occur outside of the Special Flood Hazard Area when there are larger floods than the size that is mapped.  Overland flow can occur in Zone X for many reasons including local watershed changes, storm water management problems, failure of culverts, dams, ice jamming, and simple unstudied risk. 

Over 500 structures in Washington County will no longer be mapped as in a Special Flood Hazard Area after March 2013.  Flood insurance is still available to any structure in Washington County, however structures located in a Zone X will benefit from lower available flood insurance premiums. Confirm the flood zone of your home on the new Washington County DFIRM and then contact your insurance agent for more information. 

Washington County - New Flood Map Effective March 2013

If your home or structure is in or near a flood hazard area, it is at risk of damage from flooding.  The most up to date maps of  inundation risk in Washington County can now be viewed on the Vermont Natural Resource Atlas.

In Washington County, the extent of the mapped flood hazard area has changed in some locations, and some areas have been newly identified as exposed to flooding.  A structure that has been identified as being in a Special Flood Hazard Area (Zone A, AE, or AO) for the first time may benefit by buying flood insurance now before the map change on March 19, 2013.   Flood insurance may currently be available as a low cost Preferred Risk Policy and later increase to full actuarial cost (please see the blog post “Washington County – Home Identified as in Flood Hazard Area for the First Time?).

Federal law requires lenders to be sure that mortgages on structures in the flood hazard area are insured for their known flood risk.  Currently an average flood insurance policy in a flood hazard area in Vermont has a premium of around $1,400 per year for $170,000 in value. 

DFIRM Data

On the Vermont Natural Resources Atlas, the current Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) data is posted for Chittenden, Rutland, Windham, and Windsor Counties as well as several municipalities (Hardwick, Jay, Montgomery, Stowe, and Wolcott).  The Atlas also has Preliminary DFIRM data for Bennington County (9/24/11) and Washington County (final as of 9/19/2012).

Current and Non-DFIRM Data

In most parts of Vermont the extent of the mapped flood hazard areas can be identified by going to the FEMA Map Service Center. The FEMA Map Service Center hosts current and historical Flood Insurance Rate Maps.  Most of the maps are not officially digital and are shown against white paper backgrounds. 

To make a “FIRMette” map from the FEMA Map Service Center follow these instructions. 

What Flood Zone is Your Home In?

If your structure is clearly in the flood hazard area on the new/upcoming Washington County DFIRM map – but is not currently in the mapped hazard zone – you may benefit from buying flood insurance now before the map change.    The Special Flood Hazard Area on the new DFIRM is labeled as Zone A, AE, or AO.   Areas shown as Zone X are not in the Special Flood Hazard Area (these areas may have unstudied and unmapped flood risks).

To confirm that your structure is currently out will require measuring the distance from a local landmark (such as an intersection you can find on the FIRMette) to the lowest and most exposed corner of the structure nearest the mapped flood hazard.  Plot this location on the FIRMette to find out whether any part of the structure is in the current mapped flood hazard area (expiring in March).

Flood insurance can be secured from the agent that handles your homeowners insurance.  

In Washington County, informational meetings regarding flood insurance are currently being scheduled.  Watch this space for updates.

For more information on the maps and map change contact VTDEC

                                                                                         

Vermont Natural Resource Atlas