COMING SOON: NEW KAUAI FLOOD MAPS – On February 26, 2021 revised flood hazard studies for Hanapepe and Waimea rivers, and Moloaa stream and bay will become effective. This map revision will update a dozen Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) panels.
If you own or rent a property that is affected by the updated FIRMs then you should review the revised FIRMs to understand how the modified flood hazard risk can affect your mortgage, flood insurance premium, and/or your plans to build and develop on the affected property.
A one page FACTSHEET that explains how the pending map change could affect properties in the newly mapped areas can be downloaded here for your reference and/or to share with others who would benefit from this information.
“Is your property going to see a change in flood risk?”
The comparison images (below) show the current effective FIRM (left side image) and preliminary FIRM (right side image) that will become effective on February 26, 2021.
Hanapepe River: Effective vs. Preliminary FIRM Comparison
Waimea River: Effective vs. Preliminary FIRM Comparison
Moloa’a Stream (Downstream): Effective vs. Preliminary FIRM Comparison
Moloa’a Stream (Middle): Effective vs. Preliminary FIRM Comparison
Moloa’a Stream (Upstream limit of study): Effective vs. Preliminary FIRM Comparison
FLOOD HAZARD ASSESSMENT TOOL – The FHAT is an online GIS mapping application developed by DLNR for viewing FEMA’s Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM). This informational web application allows public users to search and view a mashup of data to assess flood risk for areas of interest.
To learn how to view proposed maps (also referred as “preliminary” maps) on the FHAT, watch this short video tutorial
EVERYONE LIVES IN A FLOOD ZONE
DOWNLOAD FLOOD ZONE DEFINITIONS
WHAT MAY AFFECT OR CHANGE A FLOOD MAP?
FIRM updates can occur in a variety of ways, including Flood Risk Projects, Physical Map Revisions (PMRs), and Letters of Map Revision (LOMRs). Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs) and Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-Fs) can change flood hazard designations for specific structures or properties. Each of these processes is summarized in the table below:
HOW TO REQUEST A MAP AMENDMENT GUIDE
Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA) or Letters of Map Revision Based on Fill (LOMR-F) are processes to gain a better understanding of your home’s flood risk – and potentially lower your flood insurance premium. This document provides criteria to determine if a homeowner is eligible for a LOMA or LOMR-F, the process for applying, and next steps upon receiving a determination letter: Download Guide
For application materials, visit MT-1 Application Forms and Instructions for Conditional and Final Letters of Map Amendment and Letter of Map Revision Based on Fill (https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/31858).
USING LIDAR FOR MAP AMENDMENTS
LiDAR data can replace the requirement to submit elevation information certified by a licensed land surveyor or professional engineer, which can create a cost savings for property owners. However, LiDAR data may be less accurate than certified elevations and may not capture the full risk for the building or lot. For more information on the use of LiDAR data for Map Amendments, download: FACTSHEET. For more information on the standard LOMA process and requirements, please refer to How to Request a Map Amendment Guide.
CREATING FIRMettes