New Flood Maps Anger Residents
By Mike Urban, Reading Eagle, Pa. |
"Even during Hurricane Agnes, the water didn't come close," he said of the destructive 1972 storm.
But the
As a result, federal law requires that Millard purchase flood insurance. His mortgage lender,
That's more than he can afford, he said.
"
It's all part of a congressionally mandated remapping of the nation's flood zones, an ongoing process. As the environment, weather and landscape change, so does flood risk, and new technology can better gauge that risk,
So the remapped flood zones will help homeowners protect themselves, save taxpayers money for disaster relief and guide local officials in deciding where to allow future development,
About half of
Hundreds of
Those policies can cost more than
Process questioned
Millard is among the local homeowners who believe the remapping process is flawed. He talked about another property so high on
"It's just ridiculous," he said. "Even a 100-year flood wouldn't reach it. It would take a biblical flood."
So most homeowners are learning of their flood status change -- and their need for flood insurance -- from their mortgage companies.
Now he's paying
"If I stay here 30 years, I'll pay
What bothers Renninger most is that his lender is requiring him to insure the home's full value.
"It's not like I live on the ocean or the
Defending the policy
Municipalities were required to adopt the flood zone changes in order for residents to qualify for the national flood insurance program, which
But the new maps are more accurate than the previous maps drawn up about 30 years ago,
For the new maps,
"We're looking at the risk going forward, not past risk," Sobota said.
Though homeowners won't appreciate another bill, having flood insurance is in their best interests, Sobota said.
"It's actually a favor to them, so they can be fully covered, and stay where they are (if they get flooded)," Sobota said.
"It's one more step in being better prepared," said spokesman
Sobota said the program also saves taxpayer money, since the government would otherwise be forced to reimburse flood victims who are uninsured. He admitted the process isn't perfect, and that
Those who are unhappy have the right to appeal. Millard has considered that step, but for now he's scrambling to refinance his mortgage with a lender that would only require him to insure his home up to the amount he owes, saving him about
He believes his home's value has dropped because of the flood zone designation and maintains it will never be flooded, despite
"It's outrageous," he said. "Water runs downhill. I don't think
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Source: | McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
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