Garden City Suing Over Flood Plain Map

August 27, 2009

Officials in Finney County and Garden City are suing the Federal Emergency Management Agency over a new flood plain map that would affect large swaths of downtown.

The officials, plus three property owners in the southwest

Kansas county, filed suit Thursday in federal court in Wichita.

They’re seeking a preliminary injunction against FEMA to block the

agency from implementing the new map on Sept. 25.

FEMA unveiled the updated map last year and has refused the

local government’s requests to make changes to delay the Sept. 25

implementation. The map places much of Garden City into a flood

zone for the first time, requiring property owners to buy special

insurance.

The lawsuit claims the map is based on inaccurate information.