On April 29, 2011, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provided the City with preliminary copies of the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) report and FIRM maps that identify updated flood hazards in our community. Since that time, there have been numerous open houses, letters sent to affected property owners, and published notices regarding the process. The City of Coos Bay is proposing amendments to Coos Bay Municipal Code Chapter 17.195 Flood Damage Prevention including adopting updated Flood Insurance Rate Report and Maps dated March 17, 2014. The maps have been developed using new technology to increase the accuracy for the location of the floodplain. The proposed text amendments are considered necessary in order to remain in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 and for the City to continue to be eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The purpose of the NFIP is not to prohibit floodplain development, but to guide development in floodplain areas in such a way as to lessen the economic loss and social disruption caused by impending flood events. Federal flood insurance is only available in those communities that participate in the NFIP program, and flood insurance is required for federally-backed loans to purchase or build structures located in special flood hazard areas. The City must adopt or show evidence of pending adoption of the updated maps prior to March 17, 2014 as a requirement of continued eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). On February 11, 2014, the Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the proposed updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps and text Amendment to the City Council. The Flood Insurance Rate Report and Maps of March 17, 2014 Final Summary of Map Actions dated February 22, 2014, the Planning Commission Final Recommendation, and the proposed text amendments were posted on the City’s web site for public review on March 5, 2014. They can be found at www.coosbay.org
