Westport P&Z Announces FEMA Flood Map Changes

New flood zone maps prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) show that 21 Westport properties have been added to flood zones while 38 have been removed, Planning & Zoning Director Laurence Bradley announced in a news release Wednesday.

In all, 1,122 property owners were affected by the new maps which in turn will impact their need to have flood insurance, Bradley said.  Individual letters have gone out to the property owners informing them of the map changes.

”This action was based upon new digital mapping that FEMA has prepared and will become effective next year,” said Bradley.  He said this latest round of changes to the FEMA maps is much more extensive than the last revision which was done in June 2010.

.  The risk for flooding changes over time due to erosion, land use, weather events and other factors.  The likelihood of inland, riverine and coastal flooding has changed along with these factors, Bradley said.

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“The risk for flooding can vary within the same neighborhood and even property-to-property,” he said.  “But it exists throughout the area. Knowing your flood risk is the first step to flood protection.”

For general information about the flood map changes contact Michelle Perillie or Laurence Bradley in the Westport Planning and Zoning Office at 203 341-1076.   Staff is available for questions regarding new flood maps on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. or Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. – noon.

Attached are answers to possible questions about the new flood maps, along with a copy of the letter sent to property owners.