Flood Insurance Study for 7th Avenue Creek Area to be Discussed at Open House

ST. CHARLES, IL -- Representatives from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are hosting a Flood Risk Information Open House Thursday, September 8, 2016, from 5 to 7 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, 2 East Main Street in St. Charles.

The Open House will provide St. Charles residents an opportunity to review the preliminary Flood Insurance Study (FIS) and Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the 7th Avenue Creek area. Digital copies of the FIRM and FIS materials also are available on FEMA’s website www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata or on the City’s 7th Avenue Creek project website at www.stcharlesil.gov/projects/7th-avenue-creek-project.

The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood information, delineate areas subject to significant flood hazards within Kane County, and offer information public officials may use when permitting development in the floodplain, according to a city of St. Charles news release.

The open house will be staffed with representatives from various local, state and federal agencies who will provide the most current information about flood risk, flood insurance, floodplain development regulations, and the process for floodplain mapping within Kane County.

The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps will be on display. Once the maps become effective, these maps will be used by floodplain permit officials, builders and developers, lenders, realtors, insurance agents and the general public to determine flood risk, develop mitigation measures, and encourage wise and responsible risk management decision-making.

Property owners, realtors, lenders and insurance agents are urged to attend and take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about flood risk and hazard mitigation within their community. For more information, contact Ken Hinterlong, FEMA Region V atKen.Hinterlong@fema.dhs.gov or 312-408-5529.