The Town of Old Saybrook, like most municipalities across the country, participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for the ultimate goal of protecting Old Saybrook and its citizens from flood-related loss of life and property. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) develops NFIP Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) through an engineering report called the Flood Insurance Study (FIS). Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) depict the limits of the floodwaters as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs).
The Town uses the Flood Insurance Study and the Flood Insurance Rate Maps to enhance local mitigation plans, communicate effectively to citizens about flood risks, and make informed decisions to protect local lives and property. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area where the National Flood Insurance Program’s floodplain management regulations must be enforced. Town officials use the information in the Flood Insurance Rate Maps, particularly the flood zone designation, to issue permits for construction or renovation that collectively protects the community from future flood risks.
Insurance agents and lenders use Flood Insurance Rate Maps to determine where a property owner must purchase flood insurance and at what rate that insurance is charged. The Special Flood Hazard Area is the area where the purchase of flood insurance is mandatory; each flood zone reflects the severity or type of flooding in the area.
FEMA develops new Flood Insurance Rate Maps because floodplains are constantly changing due to construction, natural processes (such as rain, wind & snowmelt), floodplain widening or shifting, poor drainage systems, and failed levees or dams. FEMA uses new and more accurate geophysical data as it becomes available.
This web page helps residents answer questions about how to use the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and provides links to more information about the National Flood Insurance Program.
DEEP PUBLICATIONS
WEB SITE LINKS |
National Flood Insurance Program (The Official Site of the NFIP) |
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FEMA: The National Flood Insurance Program |
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FEMA's Map Service Center |
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FEMA's Engineering Library |
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FEMA Flood Map Information Exchage (FMIX) |
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FEMA National Flood Insurance Publications |
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Map Change Process for Homeowners |
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Tutorial-How to File a Letter of Map Amendment |
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FEMA Preferred Risk Insurance Policy Extensions |
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FEMA Maps and Studies. SOMA Fact Sheets & Contacts |
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BFE - Base Flood Elevation |
LOMA - Letter of Map Amendment |
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency |
NAVD88 - North American Vertical Datum 1988 |
FIRM - Flood Insurance Rate Map |
NFIP - National Flood Insurance Program |
FIS - Flood Insurance Study |
NGVD29 - National Geodetic Vertical Datum 1929 |
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SFHA - Special Flood Hazard Area (100 year flood zone) |
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