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Sample Stakeholder Newsletter ArticleLong Version 
New Flood Maps Detail County’s Flood Risk 
Hillsborough County’s flood maps are being updated and replaced. A multi-year project to develop detailed, digital 
flood hazard maps is nearing completion. The new maps reflect current flooding risks, replacing maps that are up to 
25 years old. Preliminary maps will be released October 19. They will undergo a several-month review and 
comment period before their final adoption next fall. Property owners throughout the county will have up-to-date, 
Internet-accessible information about their flood risk, and can look up their property online at 
www.hillsboroughcounty.org to learn if their risk level has changed. 
Flooding: A Frequent and Costly Disaster 
Flooding is the most frequent and costly hazard in Hillsborough County. The first step in flood protection is knowing 
your flood risk. Flood risks vary from property to property, even within the same neighborhood. And risks change 
over time due to erosion, land use, weather events and other factors. The likelihood of inland, riverine and coastal 
flooding in certain areas has changed along with these factors. The 1997-1998 El Nino storms showed that flooding 
occurs not only in high-risk areas, but in low-and moderate-risk areas as well. More than 50 percent of properties 
flooded during these storms were in areas designated as low or moderate risk. 
New Maps = Safer Public 
The flood map modernization project has been a joint effort between Hillsborough County and the Federal 
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in cooperation with association and private sector partners. Planners, local 
officials, engineers and builders will use the maps to make important determinations about where and how to build 
new structures and developments. Residents and businesses can use the maps to learn their risk, and decide the 
financial steps they need to take to protect against damage and loss. 
How Will The Changes Affect Residents & Businessowners? 
There will be some properties that aren’t affected – their risk remains the same. Other properties will now be 
mapped into a higher-risk zone. Some properties will be mapped into a lower-risk zone than before. Altogether, 
more than 35,000 properties will show some change. In addition, properties currently in high-risk zones may show a 
new Base Flood Elevation*,  which can affect future construction. 
The changes may affect the requirement for flood insurance. Flood insurance is available through National Flood 
Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally underwritten program provided by nearly 100 insurance companies and 
available through licensed insurance agents. Owners of properties mapped into a high-risk area, known as a 
* Base Flood Elevation: The height of the base flood, or area of land that has a 1 percent chance of flooding in any given year. 
1 PHOTO: Andrea Booher/FEMA Photo 
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—Sample Stakeholder Newsletter ArticleLong Version 
Special Flood Hazard Area, may be required to carry flood insurance as part of their mortgage agreement. 
To learn more about flood insurance, visit www.FloodSmart.gov. 
For More Information 
The preliminary new flood maps will be released on October 19, 2005. After a public comment and review period, 
the maps are expected to be adopted in the fall of 2006. At that time, the new insurance requirements will take 
effect. To learn more about the preliminary maps and this map modernization project, see what areas will change, 
learn what the insurance options are, and find out about upcoming related community meetings, visit 
www.hillsboroughcounty.org. For general information about the upcoming map changes, call the Hillsborough 
County Citizen Action Center at 813-272-5900. The Center is open 7am-11pm 7 days a week. 
2 PHOTO: Andrea Booher/FEMA Photo 
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