News Flash

Contact: Rebecca Samy                                   Jennifer Lenz
                 Senior Planner                                 Land Development Specialist
                 Rebecca.Samy@snoco.org            Jennifer.Lenz@snoco.org
                 425-388-3311 ext. 2283                425-388-3311 ext. 2823

Flood Risk Open House: Public Review of Preliminary FEMA Flood Risk Maps

EVERETT, Snohomish County, October 31, 2016—The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued preliminary maps showing revisions to the 100-year floodplain, which has a 1 percent chance of flooding in any year. These maps show flood risk areas along portions of the North Fork, South Fork, and mainstem of the Skykomish River, Snoqualmie River, Sultan River, May Creek, Snohomish River, and Pilchuck River. These maps (officially referred to as the Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or DFIRMs) will help local residents and community officials identify flood risks, and when adopted, will be used for flood insurance, land use, and development decisions.

Snohomish County will be hosting two open houses for the public to review the draft flood maps and potential impacts on property. The open houses will be held on November 28 and December 12, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  The November 28^th meeting will be held on the Snohomish County Campus located at 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA in the Robert Drewel Building, 1^st Floor, Public Meeting Room.  The December 12^th meeting will be held at the Sultan High School Commons, 13715 310^th Ave SE, Sultan, WA. Interested property owners are invited to attend either meeting.

Snohomish County encourages property owners to examine the preliminary maps, attend the November 28^th or December 12^th open houses, and ask questions about how revisions might affect them. Preliminary maps can be reviewed online at http://snohomishcountywa.gov/3750/Flood-Hazard-DFIRM. To review the maps in-person, please visit Planning and Development Services, Robert Drewel Building, 2^nd Floor, 3000 Rockefeller Ave, Everett, WA.

Flooding is the nation’s most common and most expensive natural disaster. According to national statistics, homes inside high-risk flood areas have a 26 percent chance of being damaged by flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage, compared with a 9 percent chance of sustaining fire damage. More information on flooding and flood safety is available at:

• http://snohomishcountywa.gov/2149/River-Flooding
• http://snohomishcountywa.gov/796/Flood-Information-Center

• http://snohomishcountywa.gov/934/Flood-Awareness

To learn more about federal flood insurance, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

For questions or to request meeting accommodations please contact:

Rebecca Samy, Senior Planner, 425.388.3311 ext. 2283, Rebecca.Samy@snoco.org.