Flood Risk Map Hotline Available
A special information hotline has been established to answer questions about the new, preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Residents can call 239-252-2942, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with questions about the DFIRMs.
In the near future, FEMA will publish two notices in the local newspaper to start the official time period for owners to file any comments, protests, or appeals. Following this, there will be a period of time to resolve comments, protests or appeals before FEMA finalizes the DFIRMs to make them effective.
The new DFIRMs are very different in appearance from the current FEMA flood mapping in that they identify the risk from coastal storm surge flooding as well as rainfall from the coastline to roughly State Route 29. Many areas of the county that had been exempt under previous flood zone mapping are now included. Those who have a federally backed mortgage or plan to refinance with a federally backed lender, may be required to purchase flood insurance if they find that their home is newly shown in a Special Flood Hazard Area on the updated maps.
Also on this web page, you can view your existing flood zone designation and compare it to the proposed flood zone designation under the new FEMA maps.
For more information, visit http://www.fema.gov/hazard/map/firm.shtm
CLICK HERE TO WATCH A VIDEO THAT EXPLAINS THE FEMA DIGITAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATE MAP FOR COLLIER COUNTY
FEMA Preliminary DFIRM Information
The Preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) is a preliminary or draft map issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that shows the proposed locations for flood zones. The flood zones are based upon modeled predictions of flood depths from a 1 % storm (a storm that has a 1 % chance of occurring during any year, commonly referred to as a 100 year storm). The zones establish flood elevations that building regulations and the National Flood Insurance rates are based upon. The Preliminary DFIRM is provided to the County and municipalities for local property owners to view and provide comments, protests or file appeals. There will be a 90-day period of time to file a protest or appeal, starting with the day FEMA publishes the second of two public notices in the local newspaper. Once FEMA has satisfactorily resolved the protests and appeals, a Letter of Final Determination (LFD) will be written and sent to the County and municipalities to notify them that the Preliminary DFIRM has been finalized and should be used as the new flood zone determination map for building permit and regulatory purposes. The County and municipalities must adopt the final DFIRM within 6 months of the date of the LFD. The final DFIRM becomes effective for permitting purposes upon adoption by the County and respective municipality. The final DFIRM becomes effective for flood insurance purchase requirements at the end of the 6 months following issuance of the LFD.
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| Preliminary FEMA DFIRM 7-12-2010 |
Existing FEMA 2005 |
View the Preliminary DFIRM to compare the current flood zone for your property with the proposed flood zone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Preliminary DFIRM period of time to file comments, protests and appeals is from early September to late November, 2010. The exact dates will depend on FEMA's publication of 2 notices in the Naples Daily News. These dates will be posted when FEMA publishes the notices.
<Click here> to learn how to file a comment, protest or appeal regarding the new Preliminary DFIRMs (to be added soon)
If you are going to need Flood insurance or desire to remove your home from the Flood insurance requirement you will need an Elevation Certificate prepared by a Florida Licensed Surveyor. The following links will provide some useful information.
Information to consider when hiring a surveyor to prepare an elevation certificate (Note the link in this document to obtain a list of surveyors is being updated and does not work. The rest of the information is still pertinent.)
To obtain a list of Surveyors in Collier and Lee Counties
FEMA Forms and Instructions
FEMA Elevation Certificate Form and Instructions
FEMA MT-1, FEMA MT-1Handbook
MT-EZ
MT-2 Handbook
Information Flyer
Flow Chart for LOMA Process
eLOMA
Updated August 12, 2010