Local news- Press Release
Sarasota Parks and Rec Florida - FEMA releases updated flood maps for Sarasota County 14 February 2024 ( news )
Sarasota Parks and Rec , state Florida ( By Press Release office)
Feb 14,2024
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SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County will host a series of open houses for citizens to be informed on the Federal Emergency Management Agency ' s ( FEMA ) new flood insurance rate maps ( FIRMs ) for Sarasota County , which go into effect March 27 .
All county property owners are invited to attend one of the public meetings to learn about their own flood risk , view the newly updated FIRMs and learn how individual properties may be impacted by the changes .
These FIRMs will include a Limit of Moderate Wave Action ( LiMWA ) line . Post - storm field visits and laboratory tests throughout coastal flood hazard areas have consistently confirmed that wave heights as low as 1 . 5 feet can cause significant damage to structures that are constructed without considering coastal hazards . This LiMWA is the inland limit of the area expected to receive 1 . 5 - foot or greater breaking waves during the 1 - percent annual - chance flood event .
FEMA ' s previous FIRM maps only had two coastal flood zones . VE Zones where the flood elevation includes wave heights equal to or greater than 3 - feet and AE Zones where the flood elevation includes wave heights less than 3 - feet .
Flood risks change due to construction and development growth , environmental impacts , floodplains widening or shifting and other factors over time . FEMA ' s FIRMs are updated periodically to reflect these changes .
Citizens may view FIRMs online , which go into effect March , 27 , at
scgov . net/floodmapsand visit the
interactive mapfor more information .
Representatives from Sarasota County , and the cities of Venice , North Port , Sarasota and Longboat Key , will be available during open houses to answer questions . All residents are encouraged to attend one of these informational sessions .
No formal presentations will be given; residents may attend the workshops whenever it is convenient for their schedule . Attendees do not need to make an appointment , but should remember to bring their elevation certificates , if possible .
Public meetings with city and county representatives will be held at the following locations:
4 p . m . to 7 p . m . , Wednesday , Feb . 14 , at the Fruitville Library , 100 Apex Road , Sarasota .
4 p . m . to 7 p . m . , Wednesday , Feb . 28 , at the Frances T . Bourne Jacaranda Library , 4143 Woodmere Park Blvd . , Venice .
An additional online presentation is planned for the following:
5 p . m . to 6 p . m . , Wednesday , March 13 , held virtually over
Zoom ( ID 832 9202 7798 ) .
FEMA ' s new flood maps will become effective Wednesday , March 27 , at
scgov . net/floodmaps
.
Please note that these changes do not affect hurricane evacuation levels ,
which may be viewed hereor at
scgov . net/beprepared
.
Standard homeowners’ , business owners’ and renters’ insurance policies don’t cover flood damage , making flood insurance an important consideration for everyone . Visit
floodsmart . govor call 1 - 888 - 379 - 9531 for more information or to locate a local insurance agent .
For additional information , please call 311 or visit
scgov . net/floodmaps
.
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