Live in a floodplain? Regulations may be changing
(Harrisburg) – Properties near high-risk flooding areas will soon face new regulations, and some municipalities are facing a tight federal deadline to get up to date.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency wants the changes to go into effect by December 16th.
That means municipalities need to assess their floodplain, update their map, and then change ordinances to comply with FEMA’s requirements.
Monica Love is leading the process in West Manchester Township, York County.
She says it’s already difficult to mold the federal requirements to fit the township, and the challenge is only magnified with a quick deadline.
“All of those people who have properties that are already in that flood plain could lose that insurance, so we’re struggling. West Manchester, we’re in the middle of the road, we’re a bigger township, but like everybody we have budget issues,” says Love.
Federal regulations require homeowners in high-risk areas to carry flood insurance.
Love says she expects the township to just meet the deadline.
But she says smaller municipalities may struggle to get all the work done in time.
“You know, you get these smaller townships or smaller boroughs where they just don’t have the budget, they don’t have the wherewithawl or the staff to take care of this kind of stuff and I’d imagine it’s much harder.”
Love says for municipalities that wanted help figuring out how to comply with FEMA’s floodplain update, the state Department of Environmental Protection hired a contractor.
But with the state budget impasse, the contractor stopped work in early September.
Keystone Crossroads has covered this issue. See their most recent story here.
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