FEMA Updates Flood Maps for Mohave County and Fort Mojave Tribal Lands

OAKLAND, California, Dec. 4 -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency issued the following news release:

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating South Mohave County and the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe's flood maps in 2020. New maps identify the latest flood hazards, assess flood risks, and provide data to guide local stakeholders in taking effective mitigation actions, resulting in safer and more resilient communities.

Before the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps become effective, there is a 90-day appeal period from December 4, 2019 to March 7, 2020. During that time, residents with technical and scientific information, such as detailed hydraulic or hydrologic data, can appeal the flood risk information on the preliminary maps.

Flood hazards are dynamic and change frequently due to a variety of factors, including weather patterns, erosion, and new development. FEMA worked with the county and tribal leaders to collect new or updated flood hazard data and modernize the flood maps to reflect these changes, which may also affect building and insurance requirements.

The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce the effects of flooding on new and improved structures. FEMA encourages residents to review the preliminary flood maps to learn about local flood risks, potential future flood insurance requirements, and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided.

Risk of flooding affects almost every corner of the nation. In total, 98% of counties have experienced a flood event, which makes floods the most common and widespread of all weather-related natural disasters.

For further details, contact the Mohave County Flood Control District at (928) 757-0925 or [email protected], or Christine Medley from the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe at (760) 326-9650 or [email protected].