Flood map open house Dec. 3

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the City of Custer will host a public open house Dec. 3 at the Custer County Courthouse Annex Pine Room at 5 p.m. regarding flood map changes within the county and city limits at the end of next year.

City  and county residents and business owners are encouraged to review changes to their flood risk and secure cost-savings on flood insurance. City officials say it’s important for residents and business owners to understand what these changes mean and how they may benefit from cost savings on their flood insurance.

“Now’s the time to get informed and contact your insurance agent to determine the best policy option for you and your family or your business,” said city planning administrator Tim Hartmann.

With these upcoming map changes, residents and business owners have a few options:

• If your property is newly identified to be in a high-risk area and you already have a flood policy, you should maintain flood insurance coverage to lock in your current lower-cost flood zone. If you don’t have a policy, you may be eligible for cost savings with the Newly Mapped Procedure. Residents who purchase a flood insurance policy during the first 12 months after a map change are eligible for a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) rate.

• If your property is newly identified to be in a moderate- to low-risk area and no longer at high risk, you can convert your existing policy or secure a lower-cost PRP. With a PRP, residents can purchase coverage that starts at less than $325 per year. 

Additionally, to understand your flood risk changes and the impacts on your property, visit msc.fema.gov or call your insurance agent. For additional resources and frequently asked questions, visit FloodSmart.gov/mapchange. 

Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program in 1968 to reduce the impact of flooding on communities by providing flood insurance to property owners and renters who live in communities that adopt and enforce floodplain management standards. These efforts can reduce the costs and damage of flooding and help families and individuals recover more quickly.