(Greenville SC) Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) maps for communities across South Carolina are being updated as part of a map modernization program initiated by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within the city of Greenville. These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures that our community is required to adopt in order to remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
Because some flood designations will change with the new flood maps, it is important that residents and business owners know their flood risk and understand how these map changes will affect their flood insurance requirements. Before any new or modified flood hazard information becomes effective, FEMA is providing citizens an opportunity to appeal the flood hazard information presented on the preliminary FIRM and FIS report. The statutory 90-day appeal period began on April 20, and to help citizens better understand the effects of the changes in the new FEMA flood study, the City has developed an online GIS application that allows users to enter their property address or parcel number and view a map showing the flood boundary, as well as an information box describing the effects of the change. Users can also view the current 2004 FEMA flood map in comparison with the Preliminary Flood Map.