Updated Maps May Put More Than 200 Properties in Flood Zone, Warns Humboldt County

Humboldt County Seal 2017Press release from the County of Humboldt:

The federal government is getting ready to update its flood maps, and you may soon be required to purchase flood insurance for the first time. However, if you are one of the more than 200 citizens in Humboldt County who will be affected by these changes, you may have a few weeks to lock in lower rates with your insurance company.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has completed its California Coastal Analysis and Mapping Project, resulting in changes to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) in the coastal areas of Humboldt County. The revised FIRMs become effective on June 21.

County records indicate that more than 200 properties have improvements in an area that updated maps will place in a flood zone. By law, mortgage companies will require flood insurance policies on these improvements. Affected property owners have been sent physical notices about this information in the mail.

Prior to the effective date of the map revisions on June 21, anyone affected by these changes may wish to discuss eligibility for a preferred rate insurance policy on these improvements with their insurance agent.

To find out if your property is within the flood zone, review the county’s webGIS application and follow these steps:

  • Enter your parcel in the upper-left corner of the screen
  • Using the layer list on the right side of the screen, select “Hazards”
  • Select “Flood”
  • Select “FEMA 6/21/2017”

Additional information can also be found on the FEMA website.

If you have questions regarding your property and the flood zone, you can contact the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department at 707-445-7245.

WebGIS Application

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12 Comments
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ralph
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ralph
6 years ago

good reporting Kim. Important issue. Real news.

G-MAS
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G-MAS
6 years ago

So what happens to those people who can’t afford this??wow we can barely afford our insurance now and can’t afford to fix our house. damn!!

Mr Bear
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Mr Bear
6 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

If you are actually in a flood zone then your insurance should be higher. If they make the maps more accurate it only makes it more fair for the people with less risk. Seems OK to me.

The misadventures of bunjee
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The misadventures of bunjee
6 years ago
Reply to  Mr Bear

What determines a flood zone is arbitrary and motivated by people. Is it a 100 year flood zone? A 7.o or a 9.0 quake and tsunami zone? Is it 50 feet elevation or do we really need tsunami signs every 50 feet? Sure are a lot of places to profit based on where humans decide to draw a line on a map. What if you have acreage and just a corner is in a zone? Do you pay triple the insurance now on all of it? What if you only have a hayfield?

shak
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shak
6 years ago
Reply to  G-MAS

They have it all planned out. Just agree to all their stipulations, then just sign here. Free money is never free. It will cost you your property.

Heyho
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Heyho
6 years ago

And see if this program has been done away with under new admin yet, if it hasnt, look into this especially the parts about grandfathered in homes. Call our congressfolk office and see if they can help see if there are any federal programs to help you.
If you hate the last admin, pls ignore this as im sure you wouldnt want to utilize a program from obama if youre a hater.

http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/03/24/324217.htm

Livin' Easy
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Livin' Easy
6 years ago

I live in an area considered ‘flood zone’. The current determination is based on the 1964 flood. My home did not flood then, nor any where close since. Yet. I have to pay $2100 a year. My Mom had a home in Long Beach for about 15 years. No where near any flooding. After about 8 years, all of a sudden she was determined in the flood zone paying $600 a year. That was after Katrina when FEMA needed to generate money. Four years later it was removed. Just another government scam.

G-MAS
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G-MAS
6 years ago

Thanks for all your answer’s.

Anonymous
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Anonymous
6 years ago

I would say Alton will be on the list. Or I would imagine you could spend the money on raising your foundation which would be a win except for the cost.

Ken Bell
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Ken Bell
6 years ago

I had to have flood insurance when I was in debt for a piece of property. Investigating it is the only insurance the industry won’t insure.
It is funded/run by tax dollars at a super loss. Think how many houses have been licked off the beaches and rebuilt let alone the flood plains that have been drained and built on…….think how many beach houses that have been rebuilt over and over with tax dollars.
If you are not in debt for the property you do not have to have. They also made me build out of the 100 year flood plain at the time of construction, that part never has flooded for the last 24 years…..

danon taylor
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danon taylor
6 years ago

LOOKS LIKE THERE HERDING US TO THE CITIES…..PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ONE………OH ROW