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1. Who is responsible for changing the flood risk maps?

The Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) update is administered by FEMA. FEMA is responsible for drawing and revising the maps and will adjudicate all appeals. Inquiries seeking technical guidance regarding appeals are directed to the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX), toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP. Spotsylvania County has participated in the review of the flood hazard data collected to prepare the updated maps and reviewed and commented on the preliminary maps once released.  Spotsylvania County is responsible for public outreach and will serve as a point of contact for citizens with questions regarding the process.

2. My house is not within the newly mapped high risk flood area, am I required to get flood insurance?

The flood insurance federal mandate only applies to structures being mapped into the high risk flood zone with federally-backed mortgages. If you have a federally-backed mortgage on your home and the new maps identify your home within the high risk flood zone, flood insurance is required. However, other mortgage lender requirements may be more stringent. If a portion of your property is being mapped into the floodplain but your house is not, your mortgage company may still require flood insurance. Please note Spotsylvania County does not regulate, require, administer, or provide flood insurance.

3. How much will flood insurance cost?

Contact your insurance provider for more information about this program or contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Directly for a referral at 1-800-638-6620. Anyone who elects to purchase flood insurance prior to the preliminary maps becoming effective are eligible for NFIP’s Preferred Risk Policy, which is at a reduced rate. In order to secure the reduced rate, the insurance must be purchased no less than 30 days before the New Flood Insurance Rate Map becomes effective and flood insurance requirements take effect. The timeline may change but currently the maps are slated to become effective April of 2023.

4. My insurance provider does not offer flood insurance, what do I do?

If your insurance provider is unaware of the Preferred Risk Policy or if they do not offer flood insurance, contact the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Direct for a referral at 1-800-638-6620.

5. How do I submit an appeal?

You may submit an appeal if you perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect. An appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data to support the claim. Contact a professional engineer for information on how to obtain this data. Appeals and comments must be submitted through the County to be forwarded to FEMA. Please submit appeals and comments to Spotsylvania County’s Floodplain Administrator: Josh Frederick, at [email protected], (540) 507-7434.