Post-Preliminary Processing - Digital Flood Map

Home

FEMA F Risk Ha waN Hi Communi Risk Post - Preliminary Processing — Digital Flood Map Flood Map Project Process Introduction A preliminary digital flood insurance rate map (DFIRM) is being issued to Hawaii County on July 27, 2011, updating a previous preliminary map dated December 12, 2008. Hawaii County provided the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with adjusted flood zone boundaries for the revised preliminary DFIRM. The revised preliminary DFIRM for Hawaii County also includes the results of the Hawaiian Islands Coastal Hurricane Study and new engineering analysis along Waiakea Stream. This fact sheet covers the mapping steps following preliminary issuance, including community and public meetings, the appeal and comment processes, community adoption requirements, future map change options, and insurance implications. Review and Comment Period After new hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and mapping work were completed, Hawaii County received the preliminary DFIRM, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, and Summary of Map Actions listing all Letters of Map Change (LOMC) that FEMA issued for the effective flood map. County officials have 30 days to review this information and provide initial comments, including corrections to nontechnical information such as road names. Any comments that FEMA receives will be assessed and incorporated, as appropriate, in the preliminary DFIRM and FIS report. During the 30 -day review period, FEMA will meet with county officials to discuss study results, respond to comments and questions, and discuss floodplain management. Public meetings to present the study results and preliminary DFIRM are scheduled for August 9 and 10, 2011: - August 9th 1 -4pm Aupuni Center, Hilo - August 10th 2 -5pm West Hawaii Civic Center July 21, 2011 Letter of Final These meetings will give interested parties an opportunity to view the updates to the flood map for Hawaii County and ask questions about how flood zone changes affect them. The preliminary DFIRM can also be viewed online at the Hawaii - National Flood Insurance Program Flood Hazard Assessment Tool at http: / /.qis.hawaiinfip.org /fhat. Users of this map viewer can search by property address, TMK number, or by panning /zooming across the State of Hawaii. One can view the preliminary DFIRM in comparison with currently effective flood zones, parcel lines, aerial imagery, and /or Letters of Map Change (LOMC). Appeal Process FEMA provides a 90 -day appeal period when new or revised flood elevations (called Base Flood Elevations, or BFEs) are proposed. Before the appeal period is initiated, FEMA will publish the proposed BFEs in the FEDERAL REGISTER and notify Hawaii County of the determination. FEMA then publishes this information about the flood elevations twice in a local newspaper. To make these notices available to a broader audience, the newspaper notices will direct readers to FEMA's web site, https:/ /www.floodmaps.fema.gov /fhm/ Scripts /bfe_main.asp, which contain a list of BFE changes by flooding source. The appeal period provides the county and property owners an opportunity to provide data or documentation indicating if the BFEs are scientifically or technically incorrect. Hawaii County has the right, at any time, to submit scientific or technical data to improve the flood hazard information shown on the DFIRM through the Letter of Map Change (LOMC) process. At the end of the 90 -day appeal period, FEMA addresses all appeals and other comments and finalizes the new DFIRM and FIS report.