Delaware County, Oklahoma Flood Maps Become Final

DENTON, Texas, March 22 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following fact sheet:

New flood maps become effective on September 13, 2019, for Delaware County, OK. Residents are encouraged to examine the maps to determine if they are in a low to moderate, or high-risk flood zone.

By understanding flood risks, individuals can decide which insurance option is best for their situation. Community leaders can use these maps to make informed decisions about building standards and development that will make the community more resilient and lessen the impacts of a flooding event.

"Keep in mind," states FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson, "flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the United States and most homeowner's insurance policies may not cover the effects of flooding. I encourage everyone to purchase flood insurance because more than 25 percent of flood damages occur outside the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Anyone without flood insurance risks uninsured losses to their home, personal property and business. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for those in communities who participate in the NFIP. Residents with federally backed mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in the Special Flood Hazard Area.

Contact your local floodplain administrator to review the new flood maps and learn more about your risk of flooding. FEMA map specialists are available to answer questions about the maps as well. Contact them by phone or online chat.

* To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the "Live Chat" icon.

* To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to [email protected].

Purchasing a flood insurance policy now may save you money. There are cost saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent, visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov, or calling 1-800-427-4661.