FEMA reps to discuss flood maps with Herkimer Co. residents

Nov. 28--MOHAWK -- Representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency will host a meeting on Thursday to hear from Herkimer County residents any concerns they may have regarding proposed changes to the agency's floodplain map.

German Flatts Town Supervisor Peter Rovazzi said during a telephone interview Tuesday he wants to make sure town and county residents are aware of the meeting since some will be affected by the changes.

"[FEMA] want to give residents some time to comment before making [these changes] effective," he said.

FEMA's Flood Risk Open House is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, at the German Flatts Town Park Community Center at 555 state Route 5S, in Mohawk.

Rovazzi said the latest revisions to the floodplain maps can affect property owners as far as property values and whether they need to purchase flood insurance.

"I want people to be aware and have the opportunity to discuss the map before it becomes effective," he said.

FEMA released the revised preliminary flood insurance rate maps to communities in Herkimer County for public comment on Aug. 3. The maps are going through a period of due process as they are slated to become effective in 2019.

"The maps provide updated information about the community's flood risk, inform insurance rates and purchase requirements and help property owners make decisions about how to protect themselves and their properties against future flood events," according to a FEMA news release. "The flood insurance rate maps and the associated flood insurance study report are the basis for each community's floodplain management measures."

Representatives from the state Department of Environmental Conservation, FEMA and their mapping partners will be on hand to answer questions related to the proposed flood insurance rate maps, the floodplain and flood insurance. There will be no formal presentation at the meeting, so attendees are encouraged to arrive at any time during the open house. Residents and property owners should bring a copy of the elevation certificate and flood insurance policy for their property.

Flooding has been a recurring problem for Herkimer County, including in 2006 and 2013 when there was widespread flooding across the region. Rovazzi said the last time a revision was done was in 1985.

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