FIRMs

Through a partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will begin the process to update the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report for Lowndes and the incorporated areas. This project is made possible through FEMA's Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning (Risk MAP) program, which helps communities identify, assess, and reduce their flood risk. This project will begin in late 2017 with survey data collection; however, the overall project is estimated to take 5 years to complete. Once the engineering phase has been completed there will be a Public Open House held for the county and incorporated communities to view the revised FIRMs and FIS. In addition, citizen will be able to view preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding, and ask questions. At this time, the meeting is scheduled to occur in early 2020 and will be advertised prior to the public meeting.