Digital Preliminary Flood Maps for Duval, St. Johns County Ready for Public Viewing

ATLANTA, Jan. 17 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

Newly revised preliminary digital flood insurance rate maps for coastal areas of Duval and St. Johns County will be available for residents to review at three public open houses at 10 a.m. and at 4 p.m. on January 24, and at 4 p.m. on January 25. Updated flood maps show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding, and when they become effective, maps are used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.

The open houses provide residents of these coastal areas the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with specialists who will be available to talk about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more. Home and business owners, renters, real estate agents, mortgage lenders, surveyors and insurance agents are encouraged to attend one of the open houses.

The open house dates, times and locations are:

January 24, 2017

10:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. and 4:00-7:00 pm

South Beach Park Community Center

2508 South Beach Parkway

Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

January 25, 2017

4:00-7:00 pm

Edward Ball Building

214 N Hogan St.

Jacksonville, FL 32202

The new preliminary maps were developed through a partnership among the counties, the municipalities and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. They are based on updated modeling data and show flood hazard risk more accurately than older maps. The goal is protecting property owners and the community from the risks associated with flooding. Over time, flood risks change due to construction and development, environmental changes, watershed conditions and other factors. Flood maps are updated periodically to reflect these changes.

By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners, business owners, and renters' insurance policies typically don't cover flood damage, so flood insurance is an important consideration for everyone. Flood insurance policies can be purchased from any state licensed property and casualty insurance agent. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 888-379-9531 for more information about flood insurance and to locate a local agent.

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