Palm Beach County residents are invited to look at newly revised digital flood insurance rate maps at four public open houses next month. The preliminary maps released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency show the extent to which areas are at risk for flooding and will be used to help determine flood insurance and building requirements.
Open houses will be held Monday, Sept. 8 at the Boynton Beach City Library (208 South Seacrest Blvd., Boynton Beach), Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Palm Beach County’s Vista Center Hearing Room (2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach), Wednesday, Sept. 10 at the Belle Glade Civic Center and Library (725 NW 4th Street, Belle Glade) and Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Jupiter Community Center (200 Military Trail, Jupiter). All four open houses will be held between 4 and 7 p.m.
The open houses will provide residents with the opportunity to see the preliminary maps, learn about their risk of flooding and ask questions about what the new maps will mean for their property. Residents can meet one-on-one with a variety of specialists about flood insurance, engineering, building permits and more.
The new maps were produced through a partnership between Palm Beach County, the South Florida Water Management District and FEMA. The preliminary maps have not yet been officially adopted and will become effective after a public comment period. The public comment period allows property owners to submit comments and appeals. Specialists will be available at the open houses to address questions that residents may have about this process. Visit www.floodsmart.gov for more information about flood insurance.
