FEMA Updates Maricopa County, Phoenix and Scottsdale Flood Maps

OAKLAND, California, Jan. 17 -- 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 the 2020 flood maps for Maricopa County and the cities of Phoenix and Scottsdale. 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 Jan. 16, 2020 to April 15, 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 county and city officials to collect new or updated flood hazard data and modernize the flood maps to reflect these changes, which may also affect building or insurance requirements.

This 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 Flood Control District of Maricopa County at (602) 506-1501 or at maricopa.gov/fans5and6, the City of Phoenix at (602) 262-4960, or the City of Scottsdale at (480) 312-7740 or [email protected].