New flood maps become effective in the cities of Bangs, Blanket, Brownwood, Early and unincorporated areas of Brown County on August 28, 2018. Residents are encouraged to examine them to determine their need to buy flood insurance. Knowing their risks, individuals and community leaders can make informed decisions about building and development.
Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover the effects of flooding. Anyone without flood insurance runs the risk of uninsured losses to their homes, personal property and businesses. Flood insurance is available either through a private policy, or through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP is a voluntary program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Residents with federal mortgages must have flood insurance if the structures are in flood hazard areas. Flooding is the #1 natural disaster in the U.S. and only flood insurance covers these unexpected, damaging and sometimes fatal events.
Your local floodplain administrator can tell you if your community participates in the NFIP. He or she can also help you review the new flood maps. “The first step in preparing for risks is to find out what they are,” said FEMA Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “Floods can happen anywhere.”
FEMA map specialists and flood insurance experts also are available to answer questions. They can be reached by phone and online chat.
• To use the live chat service, visit http://go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
• To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
• To view the new maps: http://maps.riskmap6.com/TX/Brown/
For information about the NFIP, call 1-800- 621-3362, select option 3 and someone will help you.
FEMA encourages communities not currently participating in the NFIP to look at the benefits of joining the program. Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to obtaining information about insurance. Folks can visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in their area.
