New FEMA flood map unveiled

By Howell Dennis
NEWS EDITOR

CROWLEY – The Crowley City Council hosted a public meeting to present a FEMA-designed map which designates all the areas in Crowley that are vulnerable to flooding should a major storm or heavy rains occur. The map was designed from a historical basis of flooding in Crowley including the south Crowley flood in 1981 and the flood of 1940. The map has added parts of Crowley that weren’t on the previous map of the city’s areas.
“We called this meeting to let the public know what’s going on,” said Crowley’s City Engineer Tim Mader. “The citizens need to know about the changes that have been made and anyone who wishes to appeal them has until July 17 to notify the city.”
The latest map has added approximately ten percent of the city from the former map or as Mayor Greg Jones put it “about 300 acres.”
Many area residents expressed their disapproval at the prospect of their insurance going up if they don’t raise their homes. They were encouraged by Jones and Mader to express their concerns in writing and deliver them to city hall before the aforementioned date of July 17.
“This map was created by FEMA and is based on their research,” said Jones. “It is incumbent upon FEMA to do their work which is based on their latest data.”
For decades, the national response to flood disasters was generally limited to constructing flood-control works such as dams, levees and sea-walls as well as providing relief for flood victims. This approach did not reduce losses, nor did it discourage unwise development. In some instances, it may have actually encouraged additional development. Compounding the problem, the public generally could not buy flood coverage from insurance companies and building techniques to reduce flood damage was often overlooked.
On the map that was presented at the meeting Wednesday, FEMA identifies flood hazard areas in the city by identifying several high-risk areas. These areas are defined as any land that would be inundated by a flood having a one percent chance of happening during a given year.
Community participation is voluntary. Each identified flood-prone community must assess its flood hazard and determine whether flood insurance and floodplain management would benefit the community’s residents and economy, which is why the feedback of Crowley’s citizens is highly encouraged.
“If we have no appeals from our citizens this map will go into effect soon,” said Mader.
As previously mentioned any appeals must be brought to city hall before July 17.
The Post-Signal will run a copy of the map including the newly added areas in our Sunday edition.