Changes to flood map to heavily impact Reasnor

July 27--A new flood insurance rate map may cause some Jasper County residents to spend additional money to protect their property.

Flood Plain Administrator Larry Ryan presented aspects of the new map to the Jasper County Board of Supervisors Tuesday along with a desire by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to have meetings to inform county officials and property owners of the changes.

"They are basically going to be presenting how they came about the new flood designation. It is fairly technical information," Ryan said. "There is an appeal process if anybody thinks the flood map is flawed or wrong for any reason and we are required to allow that appeal process."

Ryan said the meeting for officials is planned for 2 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Jasper County Community Center with the public meeting to follow at 5 p.m. at the same location.

The new proposed 2016 map extends the 100-year flood almost to or beyond the 500-year flood that the county experienced, Ryan said. With the extension, 112 properties will now have structures on them in the flood area.

"Reasnor is very heavily hit, almost all of Reasnor is going to be in a flood zone," Ryan said. "Those people have two choices, they either buy flood insurance or they have to hire a surveyor to prove that the first floor of their property is outside the flood area."

Supervisor Joe Brock asked if Reasnor had ever experienced a flood throughout the city. Ryan said as far as he knew, no homes have ever been hit by flooding on the east side of the highway.

"On the west side of the road, particularly on the north end of town, there are some buildings that had some water come in," Ryan said. "I think any of the homes south of town that were damaged in 1993 are gone."

The supervisors all agreed the public needs to be informed of potential changes.

"There is a negative consequence for some of the people," Brock said.

Ryan said that he will compile a list of people that will be impacted by changes to the flood map and contact them with information about their affected property.

"I think we need to get it out there, so people know how they will be impacted," supervisor Dennis Stevenson said.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com

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