Next Flood Map Workshop Is Wednesday

Building a house in a floodplain is like flirting with disaster.

But what if homeowners don't realize they are living in a floodplain? What if they build on property that could be submerged the next time a hurricane reaches the Hernando County shoreline?

It has happened before. That is why the county joined the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) to update and upgrade the area's flood maps.

The process is still in its preliminary stages. The next floodplain workshop is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 12, at the district's local headquarters at 2379 Broad St.

"We want to make sure the people see these (changes) and we're coming up with the best-possible maps," said Swiftmud spokeswoman Robyn Felix.

Residents who live in the Eastern Hernando Withlacoochee River, Little Withlacoochee River and Spring Hill Lakes/Aripeka watersheds are invited to the workshop.

The information coming out of Wednesday's public meeting will be used to update the floodplain information and develop the preliminary Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

Most of the current FIRMs are decades old and have been declared "outdated" because they do not show the changes caused by construction, land use and erosion.

The decision to collaborate on an upgrade came in 2001. The following year, FEMA began funding the project.

It wasn't until 2004 that the money started flowing, which raised the level of urgency among local officials.

Swiftmud released preliminary maps last year that caused an uproar among property owners and prompted officials to concede the maps needed more work. These newest maps factor in the latest topographical data and take into account the so-called infiltration rate, or the rate that flood waters soak into sandy soil prevalent in much of the county, especially in Spring Hill.

While preliminary models and floodplain information will be presented to the public during the upcoming workshops, attendees also are encouraged to present their own evidence and information, Felix said.

To find out more information about watersheds and upcoming workshops, visit www.WaterMatters.org/floodrisk.