FEMA Website Provides Online Flood Maps
Determine Home And Business Exposure To Flood Damage
Release Date: December 16, 2003
Release Number: 1499-39
» More Information on Washington Severe Storms and Flooding
EVERETT, Wash. -- Valuable information about whether your home or business is located in a flood prone area can be found on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) website, www.fema.gov. Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and other flood-related products can be quickly accessed by going to the website and connecting first to “The Map Store” link and then to “The Map Search” link.
“National Flood Insurance Rate maps for your property and other general areas of interest are generally available on the website,” said Anthony Russell, federal coordinating officer for the recent floods. “Flood insurance cost is based on flood risks. Property sites considered for any type of permitted construction should be as high and dry as possible.”
Low cost flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers the only way for property owners and renters to recover economically from flood losses. More importantly, flood insurance pays regardless of whether a disaster is declared.
“A little research now may save a lot of headache and heartbreak later,” said Diane Offord, state coordinating official for the recent floods. “FEMA and the Washington Emergency Management Division (WEMD) are encouraging everyone to check out the website to determine their potential risk before making any housing or business decisions.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government's primary source of money for the long term rebuilding of disaster damaged private property. SBA helps homeowners, renters, businesses of all sizes and private, nonprofit organizations fund repairs or rebuilding efforts, and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover uninsured or uncompensated losses and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations.
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: Tuesday, 16-Dec-2003 14:59:48