FEMA holding open house on Thursday about updated flood maps in Orleans County

Press Release, Orleans County Department of Planning and Development

ALBION – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will conduct an open house from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Hoag Library in Albion (Curtis and Kirby community rooms).

FEMA representatives will present and explain preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) for Orleans County. These new FIRMS will succeed the current antiquated versions created for all towns and villages from 1978 through 1981.

This is the primary opportunity for FEMA to explain the needs for the updates to all visitors. A single presentation is not anticipated to last the entire four hours, but rather to engage Orleans County residents on a rolling basis designed for convenient hours of accessibility for the benefit of the public.

FEMA professional, technical staff and those of its partner, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, will offer the purpose and benefit of the mapping project, its timeline for adoption, and how map changes will affect the requirements for insurance and building.

The importance of flood insurance, when necessary, and how to obtain a policy will also be identified. Additionally, the staff will be available to answer questions on a one-on-one basis from attendees, and which may relate to questions of whether the preliminary maps will include their property.