Do You Need to Update Your Flood Plain Maps?

Are the flood plain maps for your community up to date? You might be surprised at how old the current maps are, and how much the region’s landscape has changed since the maps were created. To ensure your flood plain maps for Guadalupe County, TX are accurate, consider the following questions.

If you discover the maps are out of date, take action. Updating the maps will provide a reliable representation of what areas are at risk of flooding, help reduce the flood risk to current structures and improve overall community safety.

When were the flood plain maps in Guadalupe County, TX created?

In 1968, the Federal Insurance Administration identified areas in the U.S. that were prone to flooding. Maps were created to outline the flood plain for various water bodies. As studies were completed of various areas, Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) were developed. However, these maps were often created with little information and may not contain any new information that has affected the area since their creation.

You’ll need to find out when your flood plain maps for Guadalupe County, TX were developed to see if they include the most current information available.

Does this county include residents or businesses that have never had flood damage… but still pay flood insurance?

If this is the case, you should question whether these areas should still be considered at risk of flooding. Review the current maps to understand why these buildings are considered at risk. If the reason is not clear or is no longer valid, you may need to update your maps.

Are there any properties that have been flooded… but are not shown as part of a flood zone?

Clearly, this is an issue. Why aren’t these areas marked as being part of the flood plain? Changes in water flow, riverbanks and other landscape alterations over the past few years may have altered the flood plain. This is a good reason to update your flood plain maps in Guadalupe County, TX.

What steps must be taken to update the flood plain maps in Guadalupe County, TX?

If you need to update your flood plain maps, this typically involves four main steps:

• Conduct a topographic survey.
• Complete hydraulic modeling to determine flood elevations.
• Submit these forms to IDNR for review.
• Submit these forms to FEMA for review.

How long will the process take to update the flood plain maps in Guadalupe County, TX?

This process can take one to two years to complete. While this may seem like a long process, it will be well worth it to protect your region, its residents and its resources.

Protect your community

If you suspect your flood plain maps in Guadalupe County, TX need to be updated, contact the team at Bettersworth & Associates, Inc. Established in 1953, our goal is to improve the value of our clients’ land resources in a way that advances their missions and improves their communities. We are proud of the long-term relationships we’ve developed with our clients through creative and responsive advocacy. Feel free to contact us with any questions about flood plain maps and discover how we can help make sure your documents are current and accurate.

Categorised in: Flood Survey