King jumps in FEMA flood-mapping debate
The culvert under Route 96 in East Boothbay at Mill Cove. New maps extend flood zones further inland, requiring some residents to purchase flood insurance. Courtesy of Bob Faunce
The culvert under Route 96 in East Boothbay at Mill Cove. New maps extend flood zones further inland, requiring some residents to purchase flood insurance. Courtesy of Bob Faunce
In a letter today, Sen. Angus King urged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to adopt a thorough and transparent approach to the upcoming appeal process for recently-issued flood maps in southern Maine and to openly welcome data provided by municipalities in order to establish maps that accurately reflect flood risk.
“Considering the complexity of mapping flood zones along the Maine coast, the history of adjustments to flood zone maps in Region 1, the precedent of FEMA adopting data from local engineers that improve the accuracy of mapping flood risk, and the enormous impact that changes in both flood zones and insurance subsidies will have on homeowners in Maine, I strongly urge FEMA to approach the appeal process in a manner that is thorough, transparent and welcoming to data provided by municipalities,” Senator King wrote.
Last week Senator King also filed an amendment to the homeowners flood insurance affordability act that would make communities eligible for reimbursement from the government for the costs of successfully appealing inaccurate flood maps.
Related: Flood zones and insurance premiums on the rise
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