Athens-Clarke County’s flood maps are being updated and replaced as a result of a cooperative effort involving the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) under the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Athens-Clarke County and local communities. The multi-year project developed detailed, digital flood hazard maps for the Upper Oconee Watershed. The new maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), reflect current flooding risks. They will replace maps that are based on outdated studies, some of which are more than 30 years old.

Preliminary maps were recently released and will undergo a several-month review and comment period before they become effective. When the new flood maps become effective, residents and business owners will have up-to-date, Internet-accessible information about their flood risk on a property-by-property basis. Revisions to these maps may affect residents and business owners in Athens-Clarke County.

Flood risks have changed throughout the watershed due to erosion, land use, environmental conditions, and changes in runoff patterns. Flood risks can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, and even property to property. But storms and heavy rains cause increasingly costly impacts to home and business owners throughout the watershed. The first step in reducing potential impacts of flooding is to know flood risks, which is where these new maps can help. 

Developed using advanced mapping and modeling technologies and using the latest data available, they are the most detailed, accurate flood maps ever created for this area. County and community officials, as well as planners, engineers and builders, will use the maps to make important determinations about where and how to build and rebuild to minimize future flood impacts. Residents and business owners can use the maps to learn their risk and make more informed decisions about the financial steps they need to take to reduce the risk of damage and loss due to flooding. 

There will be some properties that aren’t affected – their risk remains the same. Other properties are now in a higher risk area, while others are mapped into a lower risk area. In Athens-Clarke County, 51 structures were added, 210 structures were removed, 45 have increased risk, and 54 have decreased risk. Three structures were removed in Winterville. Altogether, more than 360 buildings in the community will show some change. Property owners in Athens-Clarke County whose risk areas have changed are being sent a postcard about the new maps and the Georgia Virtual Flood Risk Open House.

The changes may affect the federal lender requirement for flood insurance. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally underwritten program provided by about 75 insurance companies and available through licensed insurance agents. Owners of properties mapped into a high-risk area may be required to carry flood insurance as part of their mortgage agreement. The NFIP currently has rating options that can help reduce costs, especially if a policy is purchased before the flood maps become effective.  

The new preliminary maps are available at the Georgia Virtual Flood Risk Open House online at www.georgiadfirm.com/VOH. The Georgia Virtual Flood Risk Open House site allows property owners to see how their flood risk may have changed, learn how they can affect building and flood insurance requirements, and learn more about their options.

The site also provides an opportunity to connect with local floodplain management experts, the GA Department of Natural Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In-person virtual meetings are available by appointment and can be reserved on the website, via the “Connect with Us” page of the Virtual Flood Risk Open House at www.georgiadfirm.com/VOH. Appointments will be held between April 19-30, 2021 and can be reserved between March 29 – April 14, 2021.

Physical copies of the maps are also on display at the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department at 120 W. Dougherty Street, Athens, GA 30601 from Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

A 90-day public comment period will soon be open to address any submitted appeals and/or comments. After all appeals and comments are addressed, the maps are expected to become effective in mid-2022. At that time, the new insurance requirements will take effect. 

To learn more about the preliminary maps, see what areas will change, learn what the insurance options are, and find the schedule for related community meetings, visit www.georgiadfirm.com. For general information about the upcoming map changes in Athens-Clarke County, visit www.accgov.com/floodmaps or contact the Athens-Clarke County Floodplain Administrator, Bob Faucett, at [email protected] or 706-613-3440 ext. 6715.