When the flood zone map changes, FEMA will only notify constituents with an advertisement in the newspaper.
During a Planning and Zoning Committee meeting at the City Council, Councilman Russell Gilbert said that he had some constituents having trouble with flood insurance.
The City Council was told when FEMA changes the flood zone map, it advertises it in the newspaper, but that is the only notice that residents will receive.
“So, in other words, if they don’t look at a newspaper, they’re out of luck,” said Mr. Gilbert.
He said he was concerned because some of his constituents were in a flood zone, then FEMA took them out of the flood zone, and then FEMA put them back in a flood zone.
Council members said they would seek to find a way to make FEMA’s flood zone maps, which are on FEMA’s website, more accessible.
“While it’s not our responsibility, it’s certainly going to be our fault when the constituents are calling,” Councilman Jerry Mitchell said.