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New Flood Insurance Rates Go Into Effect For Texas County

KSCB News - June 19, 2011 10:40 pm

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has implemented a nationwide project to modernize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) maps. On July 4, 2011, new flood insurance rate maps will go into effect for Texas County. FEMA has converted all flood maps into a digital format (DFIRM) and has included a redelineation of the established flood zones.
Previously the Town of Goodwell and City of Guymon were the only jurisdictions having designated floodplain within Texas County. The maps from FEMA add designated floodplain areas to the un-incorporated areas of Texas County for the first time. This newly mapped floodplain area has been designated as "Zone A", which is the same as the 100-year floodplain. The changes made to the county floodplain maps was an action by FEMA, and was not requested or endorsed by the Texas County Commissioners.
Once a county has been identified by FEMA as flood-prone, the county has one year to join the NFIP or face sanctions imposed by FEMA including:
•Property owners will not be able to purchase federally subsidized NFIP flood insurance policies, and existing policies will not be renewed.
•Federal grants and loans for development will not be available in identified flood hazard areas.
•Federal disaster assistance for flood damage will not be provided to repair insurable buildings located in flood hazard areas.
•Federal mortgage insurance or loan gaurantees, such as Federal Housing Administration and the Department of Veteran Affairs, will not be provided in identified flood hazard areas.
Texas County Commissioners have been working closely with the Oklahoma Water Resource Board completing the necessary steps for Texas County to become a member of the NFIP. Texas County Commissioners have been appointed Justin Carnagey as the Texas County Floodplain Manager, and a county floodplain board has been formed. According to Carnagey, Texas County has never had to regulate or handle floodplain issues in the past, but as a result of FEMA’s new maps, the county is having to take action to join the NFIP. By joining the NFIP, Texas County residents will have the option to obtain NFIP (federally subsidized) flood insurance) which is much cheaper than conventional polices.
A public hearing will take place on July 5, 2011, at 6 p.m., at the Texas County Activity Center, 402 North Sunset, for comments from citizens regarding the proposed floodplain regulations. Adoption of the floodplain regulations is a prerequisite of Texas County joining to NFIP.
Property owners should evaluate how the new floodplain maps may affect their property. Some of the property owners in Texas County may find themselves in a position where their lender will require them to obtain flood insurance. This is a result of the mandatory purchase requirement, a statute whereby property owners are required to purchase flood insurance if their mortgage is federally backed or regulated, and their properties are located in a designated high-risk flood zone including "Zone A".
Copies of the Texas County Floodplain Maps may be viewed at the Texas County Floodplain Manager Office, O,E.D.A. Offices, 225 East Highway 54 in Guymon, or at the Court House Annex Office 301 North Main Street.
"It is unfortunate that some of our county residents will be affected by FEMA’s placement of their properties within designated floodplain,” Carnagey said. “By joining the NFIP we hope to reduce financial impact to county residents that have to obtain flood insurance.”
Those with questions about the program or who need assistance in determining the location of the newly designated floodplain and how it may affect them should call Justin Carnagey at (580) 338-4531.

 

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