Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The new Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) flood insurance rate maps for Sioux Falls are now available on FEMA's web site. Click here to view the maps. The flood insurance rate maps are marked as “preliminary” and have been distributed to the City of Sioux Falls for comment.
These maps are not effective at this time. The process to complete this review with the citizens will take place over the next 10 to 16 months. FEMA and the South Dakota Office of Emergency Management will be in Sioux Falls on July 28 and 29, 2015, to meet with members of the community.
Public meetings will take place at that time and will be announced to affected property owners.
Next steps in this federal process include:........................................................... Time Frame
Community Review............................................................................................... 30 to 45 days
Publication in Federal Register.............................................................................. 30 to 45 days
Appeals Period............................................................................................................... 90 days
Appeals Period Resolution and Issue Letter of Final Determination..................... 60 to 90 days
Maps Adopted by Ordinance....................................................................................... 6 months
Maps Become Effective.................................................................................... By end of 2016
“This is a big win for the people of Sioux Falls,” says Mayor Mike Huether. “Folks have been chomping at the bit to invest in homes and businesses, and these new preliminary flood insurance rate maps could allow that to happen as early as next year.”
In 2009, the City of Sioux Falls advanced funds to ensure the levee improvement project was completed in a timely manner and to expedite the process of updating these maps. After more than 14 years of work and a project cost of approximately $65 million, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers certified Sioux Falls’ levee system in fall 2014.
For more information regarding the preliminary flood insurance rate maps, contact the Floodplain Administrator at 605-367-8888 or floodplain@siouxfalls.org or the Federal Emergency Management Agency at 303-235-4802. General information is also available at www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mapping.