After the 2013 Flood, work began to remap affected floodplains along Colorado’s waterways, including St. Vrain and Left Hand Creeks. A formal 90-day appeal period before these maps are officially adopted by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) begins Wednesday, March 25. The final day to submit appeals is Tuesday, June 23, by 5 p.m.

Longmont residents are encouraged to visit Engage.LongmontColorado.gov/new-floodplain-maps to find links to the preliminary maps, the appeals process and what makes up a valid appeal. Additionally, this website includes information on how the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) may affect your property or your requirement to purchase flood insurance, as well as what options are available to you.

The new mapping will not be used for flood insurance ratings until the Preliminary FIRMs become FEMA effective FIRMs, which is expected to occur sometime in 2021. However, the Longmont City Council adopted these Preliminary FIRMs as Best Available Information effective Dec. 19, 2019, allowing the City to regulate floodplain development based on the best available data. The new mapping is being consulted for any development in the floodplain.

Two public meetings were held in January 2020 encouraging residents living near St. Vrain and Left Hand Creeks to be aware of what floodplain zone changes (if any) may be happening to their property because of these new floodplain maps and supporting study.

Please be aware that the City of Longmont can only accept appeals for floodplains within Longmont city limits. To appeal floodplain mapping for an area in an unincorporated portion of Boulder County, visit www.boco.org/fema-appeals.

Questions?

If you have questions about submitting an appeal, please visit Engage.LongmontColorado.gov/new-floodplain-maps or contact the City of Longmont Floodplain Administrator.