NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Kelly Peterson, Director
Community Development
(269) 329-4477
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 12, 2022
Proposed 2022 FEMA Floodplain Maps Appeal Period
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recently provided preliminary copies of the proposed 2022 Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Kalamazoo County and published a notice of proposed flood hazard determinations for Kalamazoo County in the Kalamazoo Gazette. These proposed flood hazard determinations will become the basis for the floodplain management measures that the City of Portage will adopt to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Before the proposed maps are formally approved and adopted, community officials and citizens have an opportunity to appeal the proposed flood hazard information as presented on the proposed Preliminary FIRM during a 90-day appeal period which ends on October 26, 2022.
Kalamazoo County and the City of Portage last adopted Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) in 2010. These maps are used by permit officials, builders and developers, lenders, realtors, insurance agents, and citizens to determine flood risk, develop mitigation measures, and encourage wise and responsible risk management decision-making for development within the 100-year floodplain.
To view the 2010 Adopted Floodplain Map and 2022 Proposed Floodplain Map, click on the links below:
West Fork of Portage Creek Area
Portage Creek Area
Sugarloaf Drain / Sugar Loaf Lake Area
Channel between Austin Lake/Long Lake
All Questions should be transmitted directly to FEMA:
If you have questions regarding the proposed flood hazard determinations, revised FIRM-panels, or revised FIS report, please call the FEMA Mapping and
Insurance eXchange (FMIX), toll free, at 1-877-FEMA-MAP (1-877-336-2627) or e-mail the FMIX staff at FEMA at FMIX@fema.dhs.gov. In addition, questions about technical documentation required for an appeal can be sent to the FMIX staff at FEMA at FMIX@fema.dhs.gov or the FEMA Region 5 office at (312) 408-5500. Finally, additional information about FEMA’s appeal process can be found at fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-02/PPP-Due_Process_Guidance_Feb_2019_0.pdf.
Appeals should be transmitted directly to City of Portage:
If you wish to appeal the findings as shown on the proposed FIRM, please present any supporting technical data/studies to the City of Portage. The City of Portage will submit an appeal on your behalf along with any other appeals by other interested parties to the FEMA Region 5 office. All appeals must be submitted electronically to AppealFEMA@Portagemi.gov by October 12, 2022, in order to meet the Kalamazoo County deadline for submission to FEMA.
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