Some local homeowners may soon be paying more for flood insurance now that the Federal Emergency Management Agency has finalized new flood maps.
FEMA’s new maps reassess the risk of flooding for homeowners in Boston, Chelsea, Revere and Winthrop. FEMA engineer Kerry Bogdan says flood zones have changed because of sea level rise and more precise topographical data. And, FEMA’s maps now take wave crest levels into account.
“There were definitely areas where the base flood elevation did go up by on average 1 to 2 feet,” Bogdan said.
Communities have already appealed some of the flood lines in the maps, and Bogdan said changes made as a result of those appeals are now included. Hundreds of homes that weren’t considered at risk now are. Those homeowners will likely have to get mandatory flood insurance. And other homeowners already paying for flood insurance may now have to pay more.
FEMA’s holding two informational meetings for the public. One is January 12th from 4 to 7 pm at the Boston Teachers Union Hall, 180 Mt. Vernon Street, Dorchester. The second is January 19th from 5 to 8 pm at Staff Sargent James J. Hill Elementary School Cafeteria, 51 Park Ave., Revere. The new maps go into effect March 16.
“The maps are set in stone,” Bogdan said, although there are still avenues through which people can petition for changes.
FEMA last updated the flood maps in 2009.
