Open houses scheduled to review proposed update to Springfield/Greene County floodplain map

(From the City of Springfield)

Springfield-Greene County residents are encouraged to attend one of four open houses June 4-6 to review the proposed updates to the Springfield-Greene County’s floodplain map by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The open houses will be held:

Tuesday, June 4

3-8 p.m.
Missouri Career Center, 2900 E. Sunshine
Springfield, MO 65804

Wednesday, June 5

2-7 p.m.
Republic City Park
711 E. Miller Road
Republic, MO 65738

Thursday, June 6

6-8:30 p.m.
Willard Community Building, 222 W. Jackson
Willard, MO 65781

and

9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Fair Grove City Hall, 81 S. Orchard Blvd.
Fair Grove, MO 65548.

Letters were mailed May 7 to properties that may be affected by the changes. The boundaries of many flood-prone areas within the watershed have changed from the current boundaries adopted in December 2010. 

Residents can also review the preliminary maps by visiting the web review map at: http://maps.springfieldmo.gov/FemaFlood and searching their address. Those unable to access the online map or attend one of the open houses can call the Citizen Resource Center at 417-864-1010, and a resource coordinator can look up your address for you.

“We encourage property owners to attend one of these meetings to review the preliminary flood insurance rate maps, learn about your flood risk, potential future flood insurance requirements and identify any concerns or questions about the information provided. Officials from the Missouri State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), engineering contractor Wood Environment & Infrastructure, the City of Springfield and Greene County will be on hand at the meeting to answer questions and take any comments you may have,” said Stormwater Engineer Chris Dunnaway.

The local mapping project is part of a nationwide effort led by FEMA to increase local knowledge of flood risks and support actions to address and reduce those risks. Before the new maps become effective, there will be a 90-day appeal period during which time property owners can provide additional data for consideration before the maps are finalized. This appeal period is tentatively set to start on June 12. 

Those wishing to appeal their new flood designation must submit an appeal, along with supporting data and documentation to:

Chris Dunnaway, P.E.
City of Springfield
P.O. Box 8368
Springfield, MO 65802

All appeals must be based on data that show the new or revised flood hazard information is scientifically incorrect. Certification of data by a registered professional engineer or licensed land surveyor may be required. 

“It’s important to keep in mind that just because you haven’t experienced a flood in the past is no guarantee that it won’t happen in the future. The Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) is based  upon a flood with a 1% chance of occurring in any given year, which historically has been referred to as the 100-Year event,” Dunnaway said.