FEMA Proposed Flood Hazard Information Available for Erie County

Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Erie County, Pennsylvania (All Jurisdictions) The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report, reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within Erie County, Pennsylvania (All Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway.

Technical information or comments are solicited on the proposed flood hazard determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Erie County, Pennsylvania (All Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before these determinations are effective for floodplain management purposes, you will be provided an opportunity to appeal the proposed information.

For information on the statutory 90-day period provided for appeals, as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA’s website at www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/fhm/bfe, or call the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).

Editor’s Note: This is a link to the government website where you can find the maps and it is not user friendly. You can easily select Pennsylvania and then Erie County, however, you will be presented with a list of pdf files with alpha-numeric designations (as shown in the list below) and nothing to indicate where in Erie County they apply. All that apply to North East Township are in the list below, but not all of the township is covered. The website appears to indicate if the map covering your property is not on the list then nothing has changed. The revised areas seem to be primarily in the northern portion of the township.

These are the download links for all of the available maps for the North East Township area that have changed: (files are somewhat large) When you click the link the pdf file will begin downloading to your computer.
42049C0020E
42049C0085E
42049C0101E
42049C0102E
42049C0110E

If your property is not covered by these maps, you can download a png image file for your location by entering your address on this page. The map for your property will come up with the option to view, save or use the interactive map. DO NOT SELECT VIEW MAP! It is a very cumbersome and non-friendly viewer. You can download to your computer with the save option or use the interactive tool, which works quite well.

Although FEMA is requesting comments on these preliminary rate maps, this information is generally more useful for overall community planning purposes and qualification for the National Flood Insurance Program, however individual property owners should be aware of any risks that exist in their location.