Several towns prepare flood map appeals
Several southern Maine towns are expected to appeal new federal flood maps that are expected to raise flood insurance costs for home and business owners inside the newly designated flood zones.
The Portland Press Herald reported that at least six southern Maine towns are planning to appeal the proposed maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. In Old Orchard Beach, the paper reported, up to 42% of the town would be in a flood zone, up from 28% on existing maps.
Towns may appeal the map within a 90-day review period, expected to start in March, and individual property owners can appeal the maps if local municipalities do not take on the cost of contesting the changes.
Sue Baker, state coordinator for the Maine Floodplain Management Program, told the paper there are about 9,300 flood insurance policies in effect in the state. In addition to the new flood zone boundaries, a federal law took full effect Jan. 1 that will gradually eliminate federal subsidies for properties in flood zones that were built before the national flood insurance program began in 1968.
Separately, U.S. Sen. Angus King last week submitted an amendment to a bill called the Homeowners Flood Insurance Affordability Act that would make communities eligible for reimbursement from the government for the costs of successfully appealing inaccurate flood maps.
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