Manatee property owners should be aware of flood zone status

April 01-- Apr. 1--MANATEE COUNTY -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency will conduct two open house forums to discuss updated flood zone maps that could affect thousands of property owners.

"It's very important people affected by this show up," John Barnott, the county's director of Building and Development Services, said.

The meetings at the Bradenton Area Convention Center are property owners' opportunity to discuss with FEMA whether their flood zone status has changed and file objections if they disagree with FEMA's findings.

Postcards about the sessions have been sent to property owners affected by the maps, which were last updated about five years ago.

The new maps go into effect next year.

Manatee imposes building requirements that are more stringent than the state, Barnott said. Yet many older neighborhoods, which have homes at low elevations, can be prone to flooding, he noted.

If they did not receive a postcard, property owners can type their address at mymanatee.org/floodzonechanges to determine whether their land is now regarded as vulnerable to flooding. That status will determine whether the owners should have flood insurance. Flooding is not covered under standard home insurance policies.

Sites do not have to be on the coasts to be in flood zones.

Zones are considered at high, moderate or low risk for flooding -- but not at no risk. Heavy rainfalls have flooded neighborhoods that are miles inland from major waterways.

Martha McCaskill, the county's certified floodplain manager, said mortgage companies are already making inquiries about the new maps to determine whether their clients need flood insurance.

Aside from property owners and mortgage lenders, the forums may have information of interest to renters, surveyors, insurance agents, real estate agents, homeowner associations and others.

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