Flood Map Insurance Appeals Due

Maui County News Release

For property owners affected by the proposed flood insurance rate map changes, the deadline for appeals is approaching. The appeal period to challenge new flood designations ends on April 19, 2011.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is proposing changes to the flood insurance rate maps (FIRM) for Maui County.  These changes affect areas surrounding Kaunakakai Stream and the integration of a statewide hurricane study.  Residents are strongly urged to check whether the FIRM changes affect them.  Properties placed in special flood hazard areas can be affected by mandatory flood insurance requirements, if you have a federally-backed mortgage and a higher building cost and/or compliance with the new elevation and substantial improvement standards for renovations or new construction.

Requests for changes to the proposed base flood elevations must be based on scientific or technical data and are called appeals.  Requests for changes to the proposed map information other than the BFEs are called protests.  Appeals and protests along with all supporting documentation (two copies) shall be filed within the 90 day appeal period to: Floodplain Administrator, County of Maui, Department of Planning, 250 South High Street, Wailuku, HI  96793.
   
Please visit FEMA’s website at http://www.fema.gov/plans/prevent.fhm/bfe for more information.

Copies of the proposed FIRMs are available for review at the Department of Planning, 250 South High Street, Wailuku, HI  96793 or online at http://gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat.