Bay County Commissioners adopt new flood zone maps

BAY COUNTY, Fla. ( WMBB ) – Bay County Commissioners have adopted new flood zone maps based on the latest FEMA data.

FEMA issued these new preliminary flood maps in 2019. It’s taken county officials five years to finalize the plan. The county has very few options.

If commissioners don’t adopt the plans, Bay County will not be able to participate in the national flood insurance program.

“It’s basically set on elevations and where the 50-year flood plan is and the topography of where you live. Based on their charts and their modeling, they’re laying out what they believe the federal government is laying out through FEMA where they’re assessing where the risks are. And if you’re in a more flood-prone area or not they carry flood insurance for the protection of the citizens and their property,” Commissioner Douglas Moore said.

The last time Bay County updated flood maps was in 2009. To see where your property lies on the updated flood map, click here .

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