Email signup

New maps drop Cub Run, Wolftrap Creek, and more from Fairfax County floodplain

A preliminary flood insurance map shows areas in Fairfax County of potential concern (via FEMA)

The parts of Fairfax County most at risk for flooding have shifted over the past 10-plus years, according to new flood insurance maps that are currently available for public review and appeals.

“Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements,” the Federal Emergency Management Agency said in a news release on Wednesday (April 27).

FEMA opened up a 90-day review process on April 22 for the preliminary maps. Last updated over a decade ago, the Flood Insurance Rate Maps provide information on flood elevations and what areas are designated particularly hazardous, potentially affecting who should buy flood insurance.

“Across the county, about 995 structures are expected to be mapped out of the regulatory floodplain and 510 mapped in,” FEMA spokesperson Charlie Elison told FFXnow in an email.

According to FEMA, structures that will now fall into the regulatory floodplain include “north and south of Huntley Meadows Park, along Tripps Run and Lake Barcroft, and along Lake Audubon” in Reston.

Clusters being mapped out of the regulatory floodplain are along Cub Run near Cub Run Stream Valley Park in Centreville, Accotink Creek near Davison Army Airfield, the upper reaches of Pohick Creek and its tributaries, and Wolftrap Creek.

“It is important for residents to know that many of our flood insurance claims during a disaster come from outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, so even if people are mapped out of the regulatory floodplain, they are still at risk of flooding,” Elison wrote. “We encourage everyone to call their insurance agent to get information on the best way to protect their properties from flooding.”

The data is a key piece of information that helps people determine flood risks. Virginia also has a Flood Risk Information System that helps property owners and buyers understand their flood insurance rate and consider flood-proofing options.

Per the news release:

Most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. There are cost-saving options available for those newly mapped into a high-risk flood zone. Learn more about your flood insurance options by talking with your insurance agent and visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov.

Property owners who see incorrect information that doesn’t affect flood hazard information can submit a written comment. Submit appeals and comments by contacting floodplain administrator Dipmani Kumar at Dipmani.Kumar@fairfaxcounty.gov.

“They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect,” FEMA said, noting an appeal must include technical information, such as hydraulic or hydrologic data, to support the claim.

Changes from the current maps are available at https://arcg.is/09vTC4.

The county’s new Flood Insurance Rate Map is slated to become effective in May 2023.

Recent Stories

It has not been a great week for plans to bring professional sports teams to Northern Virginia. Just a day after negotiations for a Washington Wizards and Capitals arena in…

The deal to bring the Washington Capitals and Wizards to Alexandria’s Potomac Yard is officially dead, and the developer says suggestions that an arena could be built in Tysons instead…

Fox Mill Road will be closed at the beginning of next month to allow for a pipe replacement. Virginia Department of Transportation crews are replacing a drainage pipe, prompting the…

After years of enjoying the homey Italian cuisine served at Esposito’s Fairfax, Colleen Lester and her family decided the time had come to give back to the woman behind the…

Real estate agents claim that home buyers don’t pay anything to use their service, but buyer’s agents usually net 2-3% of a home price as commission. Let me rebate you as much of this as possible.

It is common for a real estate seller’s agent to charge between 5 and 6% of the sales price as commission, a cost which sellers keep in mind when judging how to price their property.

This commission is typically split between the seller and buyer agents, meaning as a buyer, your agent is receiving anywhere from 2.5-3% of the sale price of the home, even if nothing is coming directly out of your pocket.

Read More

Submit your own Community Post here.

Active Bystander: Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Training

The Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) Active Bystander Certification course, also known as Active Bystander, is the premier training program to prepare civilians for how to respond during an intentional violent event and to address life-threatening emergencies.

Similar to FEMA’s

MVFD-Inova blood Drive

McLean Volunteer Fire Department is partnering with Inova Blood Donor Services to host a blood drive at our station, 1455 Laughlin Ave., on Wednesday, March 27, from 1-5:30 pm. Sign up here to help our community replenish its vital blood

×

Subscribe to our mailing list