FEMA Says More Areas Of Sioux Falls Are Now Prone To Flooding.
Story Created:
Dec 4, 2007 at 11:11 PM CST
Story Updated:
Dec 5, 2007 at 8:42 AM CST
Representatives with the Federal Emergency Management Agency met today with Sioux Falls Mayor Dave Munson and other city leaders to discuss proposed changed to the city's flood plain.
In short, more areas of the city will be added and for those in the new area, it is going to be costly.
Think about all the floods in Sioux Falls and recent years, and this FEMA assessment comes as no surprise.
"It certainly is time for a new flood map for the city of Sioux Falls. It's been 25 years the last map is dated 1982." Doug Gore is with FEMAs regional office in Denver. He has researched Sioux Falls history with floods, and he's seen how often they have happened as of late and it's let him, and FEMA to this conclusion. "In this case the city of Sioux Falls were showing that the flood hazard is actually increasing in the city."
Included in the new flood risk area:
Large sections of Kiwanis and Lousie Avenues:
And neighborhoods just east of Cliff Avenue between 12th and 41st Streets.
Folks who likely never had flood insurance before but will need it now.
Flood insurance is expensive, but Doug Gore tells KSFY the financial blow can be eased somewhat if you take action now. "They can buy flood insurance before the new map becomes finalized at a reduced rate."
You do have some time: the new flood plain map is set to become official by the Winter of 2008 or Spring of 2009.
So how much can flood insurance run you?
According to FEMA: in a high risk area, it would cost 500 dollars a year to protect your home and 15-hundred a year to cover your business.
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