[Archived] City of Alexandria Hosts Neighborhood-Focused Meetings on FEMA Flood Map Update Process

­­For Immediate Release: May 11, 2021

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is updating its flood maps and has requested that the City of Alexandria provide community outreach assistance. The City will host a series of virtual meetings for residents and businesses located within the floodplain during May and June. The virtual meetings follow a March 1 open house, which provided the community an introduction to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and how the flood map updates (effective in 2022) will impact City residents and businesses. 

FEMA flood maps inform communities about local flood risk and set minimum floodplain standards, helping communities build safely and resiliently. The standards also determine the cost of flood insurance, which helps property owners protect themselves financially against flood damage.

While any person may attend the meetings, residents and businesses are encouraged to participate in the meeting that best represents the neighborhood where they live or work to learn more about the floodplain maps update and specific property impacts. Registration is required. Neighborhoods are categorized by watershed and any associated 2020 FEMA preliminary map numbers. The virtual meetings will be held on the following dates:

• May 19, 7-8 p.m. — Four Mile Run
  FEMA preliminary map numbers 5155190033F and 5155190029F
  Register to participate
• May 24, 7-8 p.m. — Potomac River/Old Town
  FEMA preliminary map numbers 5155190033F and 5155190041F
  Register to participate
• June 2, 7-8 p.m. — Hooff’s Run
  FEMA preliminary map number 5155190041F
  Register to participate
• June 7, 7-8 p.m. — Cameron Run, Backlick Run, Strawberry Run, Taylor Run
  FEMA preliminary map numbers 5155190017F, 5155190036F, and 5155190037F
  Register to participate
• June 15, 7-8 p.m. — Holmes Run
  FEMA preliminary map numbers 5155190009F and 5155190028F
  Register to participate

FEMA map changes occur periodically, as the agency deems necessary; the maps in Alexandria were last changed in 2011. FEMA develops the new maps and sets the process timeline, which typically takes place over a 36-month period. The flood maps FEMA is developing are scheduled to go into effect in Alexandria and neighboring jurisdictions in the fall of 2022. Before the new maps take effect, residents will be invited to participate in a review and appeals process. 

The current flood map update schedule includes the following:

• Preliminary Maps Published – September 30, 2020
• Virtual Community Open House – March 1, 2021
• Neighborhood Community Meeting Series – May-June 2021 
• 90-day Public Review and Appeals Period – summer 2021
• Flood Map Updates Finalized – spring 2022
• New Flood Maps Become Effective – fall 2022

Flood risk changes over time due to weather patterns, land development and erosion. The changes are likely to affect some residential and commercial property owners, who may need to obtain coverage under a new flood insurance policy or alter existing policies. This effort is unrelated to recent flash flooding in Alexandria.

It is important to understand current flood risk if your residence or business is in a FEMA 100-year floodplain or is susceptible to damage from any type of flooding, so you can take steps to protect yourself, your family, your business and your property. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/FloodMap for information about the floodplain map update process and potential impacts to existing and proposed redevelopment. 

Visit alexandriava.gov/FloodAction for frequently asked questions about flooding and information about projects that address flooding and drainage issues.

For inquiries from the news media only, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact geralyn.taylor@alexandriava.gov or call 703.746.4990, Virginia Relay 711.