News Release

CHARLES CITY — On Aug 14, the IDNR and FEMA will host an open house to present preliminary floodplain maps to Floyd County citizens.  The meeting will be held at the Charles City Council Chambers at city hall, 105 Milwaukee Mall, Charles City on Tuesday, August 14 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  This meeting is open to the public.

The open house will provide property owners an opportunity to view the preliminary  maps and learn how their flood risk may have changed.  Representatives from FEMA and the IDNR will be on hand to answer questions and address residents’ concerns about the preliminary flood maps.

Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States.  It is vital that property owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood insurance.  These preliminary maps may for the first provide a tool for communicating flood risk to property owners.  The maps will become the basis for local community’s floodplain management measures.  Insurance companies will use the maps to determine flood insurance rates for buildings and contents.

As a result of these map changes, some buildings throughout Floyd County may, for the first time, be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area.  This may result in those affected homeowners being required to purchase flood insurance.

Additional information about the meeting is available by contacting the City engineering department at 641-257-6300.  Residents with questions regarding the flood plain can contact the IDNR at 515-725-8333 or Jason.Conn@dnr.iowa.gov.