WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski highlighted four upcoming Flood Map Information Open Houses that will be held by FEMA in Monroe, Madison and St. Clair Counties. Budzinski encourages local residents to attend. 

“Unfortunately, flooding is a recurring concern in our region,” said Congresswoman Budzinski.“This week, FEMA will be holding four open houses to help local residents understand their flood risk and I encourage folks in impacted areas to attend. These open houses will provide an opportunity to review the updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps and learn about hazard mitigation, regulations and the insurance options that are available.” 

Details provided by FEMA on the open houses can be found below: 

Monroe County—Flood Map Information Open House

WHEN: January 17, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: The View at 11 South, 1000 Eleven South, Suite 5A, Columbia, IL, 62236

Madison County—Flood Map Information Open Houses 

WHEN: January 18 and 19, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: Wood River Public Library, 326 E. Ferguson Avenue, Wood River, IL, 62095

St. Clair County—Flood Map Information Open Houses 

WHEN: January 24, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CT

WHERE: Clyde C. Jordan Senior Citizen Center, 6755 State Street, East St Louis, IL, 62203

WHEN: January 25, 2023, 5:30–7:30 p.m. CDT

WHERE: Caseyville Community Center, 909 South Main Street, Caseyville, IL, 62232

The open houses will give residents a chance to review preliminary versions of the recently completed Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports and their accompanying preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). The FIS and the FIRMs provide base flood (also known as the 1% -annual-chance event) information, designate areas that are subject to significant flood hazards within the county and offer information that public officials use to guide development in the floodplain.

Experts at the open houses will help residents understand flood risk and flood insurance, floodplain development regulations and the mapping process in these counties. The newly prepared preliminary floodplain maps can also be reviewed at the meeting.

Once the maps become effective, they will be used as the basis for flood insurance ratings as well as local flood protection regulations adopted under the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA encourages public officials to use the maps to assist planning processes and prepare communities to quickly respond to and recover from future flood events.