FEMA to Update Floodplain Maps for Ditto Creek, Crystal Canyon Creek Watersheds in Arlington
By Melissa Walker, Environmental Education
Posted on September 25, 2019, September 25, 2019

The Ditto Creek map will become effective on Nov. 8, 2019, and the Crystal Canyon Creek map will be effective on Dec. 6, 2019.

The City of Arlington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program, which offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters and business owners if the community agrees to adopt and enforce regulations that meet or exceed the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

From time to time, FEMA will update the floodplain maps to incorporate new or updated data to adequately represent flood risk. The City of Arlington submitted the Ditto Creek and Crystal Canyon Creek watershed studies to FEMA in order to incorporate the new technical data into the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) data. FEMA developed preliminary FIRM and FIS data for Ditto Creek and Crystal Canyon Creek watersheds using the information developed in the City’s study of these watersheds.

The Ditto Creek map will become effective on Nov. 8, 2019, and the Crystal Canyon Creek map will be effective on Dec. 6, 2019. These maps will include the following changes:
• Addition or modification of the Base Flood Elevations (BFEs)
• Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary changes
• Changes to the flood zone designations
• Revisions to the floodway boundaries

The City of Arlington has copies of the latest effective maps available to view in the Public works and Transportation Department office, located on the 2nd floor of City Hall at 101 W. Abram Street. They can also be found on the City’s webpage at www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/stormwater_management/floodplain_administration/fema_floodplain_insurance_rate_map_revisions.

You may also view this data on FEMA Region 6’s interactive mapping site at http://www.riskmap6.com.

Once the new FIRM map panels become effective, buildings that are newly mapped into a high-risk area or Special Flood Hazard Area will be required to carry flood insurance. Property owners will have 12 months from the effective date to receive the Preferred Risk Policy premium rates. However, after the first year, rates will then increase up to 18 percent a year.

Don’t wait to purchase flood insurance! There is a 30-day waiting period for flood policies to take effect. Contact your local insurance agent for more information on rates and policies or visit www.fema.gov/national-flood-insurance-program.

For information about the Special Flood Hazard Area and other floodplain definitions, visit www.arlingtontx.gov/city_hall/departments/stormwater_management/floodplain_administration/flood_hazard_zones_and_floodplain_guide.

Champion Great Neighborhoods, Flooding
News, Government, Public Works