FEMA Flood Maps Revamped Following Harvey

Though residents in San Marcos, Kyle and Buda were spared disastrous flooding from Hurricane Harvey, the storm has encouraged the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update the flood maps for Region 6. This region includes Hays, Caldwell and Guadalupe counties.

The region, which is south of Austin, saw an increase of moderate-risk zones to high-risk zones because of changes in water flow, as well as drainage patterns caused by development. Diane Howe, outreach program specialist for FEMA Region 6, said there were some areas not previously in the flood plain, that are now.

Properties that are placed in the high-risk area could be eligible for a lower-cost flood insurance rate during the first 12 months, following the map change. The map change is expected to be official in 2018.

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