Denton, Texas– New preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) are available for review by residents and business owners in cities and unincorporated areas in Hughes, McIntosh and Pottawatomie counties. Officials encourage property owners to review the latest information to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. Community stakeholders can identify any concerns or questions about the information provided and participate in appeal and comment periods for the maps.
The new flood risk information and FIRM resulted from a long-term flood study lead by a team of local community, state, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials. Significant community review has already taken place, including flood risk open houses, where residents and business owners in the affected counties were able to learn more about the new preliminary flood risk information and view the maps.
The detailed digital maps show current flood hazards for and replace flood maps that are based on outdated studies and technology. The maps provide more precise flood hazard information for those areas.
The deadline for submitting appeals or comments is May 29, 2018.
The new information and updated flood insurance rate maps relate to the following areas:
90-DAY APPEAL PERIOD
Hughes County:
- Cities of Holdenville, Wetumka, Allen, Atwood, Calvin, Dustin, Horntown, Lamar, Spaulding, Stuart
- Unincorporated areas of Hughes County
McIntosh County: Cities of Checotah, Eufaula and unincorporated areas of McIntosh County
Pottawatomie County:
- Cities of McLoud, Shawnee, Tecumseh, Bethel Acres, Earlsboro, and Johnson
- Unincorporated areas of Pottawatomie County
- The Absentee-Shawnee Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma
- The Citizen Pottawatomi Nation
- The Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma
- The Sac and Fox Nation
90-DAY COMMENT PERIOD
Hughes County:
- Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
- Kialegee Tribal Town
- The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Towns of Gerty and Yeager
McIntosh County:
- The Cherokee Nation
- Towns of Hanna, Hitchita, Rentiesville and Stidham
Pottawatomie County:
- City of Oklahoma City
- Town of Pine
If property owners see incorrect information that does not change the flood hazard information—such as a missing or misspelled road name or an incorrect corporate boundary—they can submit a written comment. They can submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect. An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim. Appeals must be submitted through the office of the county or local community floodplain administrator.
In addition to viewing the preliminary maps at their local floodplain administrator’s office, residents and business owners may:
- View the preliminary flood map of the Lower North Canadian Flood Risk Map, which encompasses, Hughes, McIntosh, and Pottawatomie counties, online:
- Use a live chat service about flood maps at go.usa.gov/r6C (just click on the “Live Chat” icon)
- Contact a FEMA Map Specialist by telephone; toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or by email at FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals. Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps, which is targeted for spring 2019.
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