Coastal Flood Recovery Maps for Baldwin, Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa Counties (For Prudent Redevelopment and Reconstruction)
Release Date: December 15, 2004
Release Number: 1551-195
» More Information on Florida Hurricane Ivan
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Residents of four Gulf Coast counties, whose properties were severely flooded during Hurricane Ivan, will learn about coastal flood inundation to guide their reconstruction plans when federal officials unfold new coastal flood recovery maps at a meeting Dec. 16 in Pensacola.
The public meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to noon in the Board of County Commissioners meeting chambers of the Old Courthouse, 223 South Palafox Place, Pensacola, FL 32502. There, officials of four Gulf Coast counties and representatives from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will present information on new flood recovery maps generated following the storm. More than 11,750 Hurricane Ivan related flood insurance claims for property losses have been filed resulting in more than $270 million paid to date.
The high-resolution flood recovery maps covering Baldwin County in Alabama, and Escambia, Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties in Florida—the four Gulf Coast communities that experienced the most severe effects from Hurricane Ivan—have been developed to show flood impacts from the storm. The maps show high water mark flood elevations, flood inundation limits from the hurricane, the inland limit of waterborne debris (trash lines) and storm surge elevation contours. They will also compare existing Flood Insurance Rate Maps to the Hurricane Ivan data.
Officials will explain how existing and increased flood hazards caused by a storm can be considered during recovery, mitigation and redevelopment efforts. For persons getting ready to rebuild or communities considering flood plain law revisions, the information can lead to safer rebuilding in the communities.
The 239-panel high-resolution maps have been developed for FEMA by nationally recognized technological experts using geographical mapping information systems. They are intended to help communities and individuals build smarter and stronger. No paper copies of the maps will be provided at the meeting. The maps may be accessed on a FEMA website at www.fema.gov/ivanmaps.
FEMA representatives will be available to answer questions about the new map products, and about the use of the maps during recovery and reconstruction efforts. Questions about this public meeting should be directed to Ray Morgan at 850-444-2898 or via email at ray.morgan@fema.gov.
On March 1, 2003, FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. FEMA’s continuing mission within the new department is to lead the effort to prepare the nation for all hazards and effectively manage federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates proactive mitigation activities, trains first responders, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration.
Last Modified: Thursday, 16-Dec-2004 12:09:33