New floodplain maps for Allamakee County to be presented May 31

Thursday, May 31, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will host an open house meeting to present preliminary floodplain maps to Allamakee County citizens. The meeting will be held in the Supervisors Board Room at the Allamakee County Courthouse, located at 110 Allamakee Street in Waukon, that Thursday from 6-8 p.m. This meeting is open to the public.

The open house will provide property owners, both rural and urban, an opportunity to view the preliminary maps and learn how their flood risk may have changed. Representatives from FEMA and the Iowa DNR will be on hand to answer questions and address residents’ concerns about the preliminary flood maps.

Flooding is the number-one natural disaster in the United States. It is vital that property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood insurance. These preliminary maps are an update of the existing maps, which date back to 2009. The maps will become the basis for local community’s floodplain management measures. Insurance companies will use the maps to determine flood insurance rates for buildings and contents.

As a result of these map changes, some buildings in Allamakee County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area. This may result in those affected homeowners being required to purchase flood insurance.

Residents with questions can contact the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at 515-725-8333 or Jason.Conn@dnr.iowa.gov.