Sarasota countywide map including the cities of North Port, Sarasota, Venice and the Sarasota County portion of Town of Longboat will be digital in 2011*

A multi-year project is nearing completion that includes jurisdictional paper maps updated and transferred to a county-wide digital map. Led by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) our flood zone areas will be re-examined to develop detailed, digital flood hazard maps.

The digital map will reflect current flood risks and areas of recent growth, replacing older paper maps produced many years ago. Once adopted everyone will have up-to-date, reliable, Internet-accessible information about their flood
risk - on a property-by-property basis.

The preliminary digital flood map is projected to be completed by consultants May 31, 2010 and will reflect the changes to the FEMA Flood Zone designations.

Flood Maps: A Risk Management Must
Flood hazard maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), are important tools in the effort to protect lives and properties in the Sarasota County area by showing the extent to which areas - and individual properties - are at risk for flooding. Flood maps help property owners make better financial decisions about protecting their property. These maps also allow community planners, local officials, engineers, builders and others to make important determinations about where and how new structures and developments should be built.

Sarasota County Partners have teamed up with community leaders and residents to ensure that everyone within the Sarasota County community has access to the most accurate information about flood hazards, upcoming meetings and the progress of this two year federal process. Visit this Web site for information about the updating process, updated meeting times and contacts.

A Better Picture of Flood Hazards
Over time, water flow and drainage patterns have changed dramatically due to surface erosion, land use and natural forces. The likelihood of inland, riverine and coastal flooding in certain areas has changed along with these factors. New digital mapping techniques provide more detailed, reliable and current data on flood hazards. The result: a better picture of the area’s most likely to be impacted by flooding and a better foundation from which to make key decisions.

* Required for loans provided by federally regulated lenders as well as Government Sponsored Enterprises such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.