Proposed FEMA Flood Maps for Columbia County

LIVE OAK, Fla., July 19 -- The Suwannee River Water Management District issued the following news release:

The Suwannee River Water Management District (District) partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update FEMA flood maps for Columbia County and aid residents in flood planning, preparedness and protection. The preliminary maps were recently released after a two-year process of reviewal and revision. You may view the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for your area by visiting www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata.

Only those FIRM panels with updated information were revised. Columbia County sent letters to all parcel owners with FIRM panel revisions that exceed FEMA notification requirements. Columbia County's preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted. Before adoption, FEMA will allow community officials and citizens to appeal the proposed flood hazard information presented in the preliminary revised FIRM and FIS report during a 90-day time period beginning July 20, 2017. Appeals are to be sent to Chad Williams, 607 NW Quinten St., Lake City, FL 32055 by October 13, 2017.

An open house question and answer forum is scheduled for Columbia County residents to receive more information about the revised FEMA flood maps. The public open house will be on August 10, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Westside Community Center, located at 431 SW Birley Ave. For further information, you may direct questions to the District at 386.362.1001.

The mission of the Suwannee River Water Management District is to protect and manage water resources using science-based solutions to support natural systems and the needs of the public. The District holds true to the belief of water for nature, water for people. Headquartered in Live Oak, Florida, the District serves 15 surrounding north-central Florida counties.

For more information about the District, visit www.mysuwanneeriver.com or follow us on Facebook and Twitter, search @SRWMD.