Flooding can be a costly disaster in the Sussex County. The risk for flooding changes over time due to erosion, land use, weather events and other factors. The likelihood of inland, riverine and coastal flooding has changed along with these factors. The risk for flooding can vary within the same neighborhood and even property to property. Knowing your flood risk is the first step to flood protection.

A multi-year project by the Department of Homeland Security Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to re-examine Sussex County flood zones and develop detailed, digital flood hazard maps was completed on ________ (Date). Just released for public review, the new maps -- also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) -- reflect current flood risks, and on _______ (Date) replacing maps that are over 25 years old. As a result, you and other property owners throughout the County will have up-to-date, reliable, Internet-accessible information about your flood risk, on a property-by-property basis.

If you have a mortgage from a federally regulated lender and the building(s) on this parcel are within a Special Flood Hazard Area, then by federal law, your lender must require you to carry flood insurance when these flood maps become effective. Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a federally underwritten program provided by nearly 100 insurance companies and written through licensed insurance agents.

To learn more about flood plain management, visit the FEMA website or call the FEMA Map Information Exchange toll free at 1-877-336-2627.