What is the timeline for the entire Risk MAP project of getting updated flood maps?

FEMA has and will continue to work with our communities throughout the process to ensure we have an opportunity to have a voice and provide feedback leading up to the maps becoming officially adopted in 2020.

Before the maps become effective, FEMA has publicly released the preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for technical review and comments by the community. Ward County and the affected jurisdictions have provided input and additional information and are currently waiting for the preliminary maps to be updated based on changes

Three public open house meetings were held following the release of the preliminary maps.

Minot Public Open House:
Wednesday, July 19 2017 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Sawyer Public Open House:
Monday, July 17 2017 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Burlington Public Open House:
Tuesday, July 18 2017 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
 
These meetings were an opportunity for residents to meet with city, county, state and federal representatives to have any questions answered and to learn more about the updated floodplain maps. If you have any questions that were not answered at these meetings, please reach out to Amber Turnquest with Ward County at 701-838-0767 or Lance Meyer with the City of Minot at 701-857-4100.

What does it mean for the flood maps to be “officially adopted?”

The preliminary maps were released in June 2017. These maps are a draft copy and give our community time to do a technical review and comment on the accuracy of the maps. There is also an appeals period which allows the community to challenge the maps with scientific data that might show inaccuracies. Once the appeals period has run its course – a necessarily lengthy process to ensure a comprehensive review of the appeals – the new Flood Insurance Rate Maps will be officially adopted by our community. At that point, building regulations and insurance rate changes will officially go into effect, as these will be the new maps our communities will work from.

How will the updated flood maps affect me?

These updates will give the community a better understanding of the flood risk in the City of Minot and Ward County. As a homeowner or landowner, you will know the current flood risk that your property and family face, and will be able to make informed decisions on how to protect yourself and your property from that potential risk.

There may be new insurance requirements for some residents, so it is important to know whether this affects you as early as possible to ensure that you are able to obtain the cheapest form of flood insurance for your property.
 
Why are these updated flood maps important for our communities?

Protecting the citizens of Minot and Ward County is the most important outcome from this mapping update. Building stronger, safer and more sustainable communities is one of Ward County and Minot’s long-term goals, and updating these FIRMs is just the first step to ensuring we are focusing on the future.

As our communities continue to grow, it is important to build in a way that will make our community more resilient. Understanding our flood risk and knowing what our available options are for precautionary actions to save lives, property, and money the next time disaster strikes one of our communities.