Flood Insurance Risk Zone Maps
New detailed, preliminary digital flood-hazard maps have been developed by the Georgia EPD and FEMA based on the latest digital mapping technology and updated field studies. The new maps show the extent to which areas of the city are currently at risk for flooding.
Johns Creek residents and business owners may find their flood risk is higher or lower than shown on older floodplain maps, some of which are now over 14 years old. The maps can be used to determine your current flood risk, so you can decide the financial and physical steps needed to protect against damage and loss. Planners, local officials, engineers and builders will use the maps to determine where and how to build new structures and developments.
The maps may be viewed here: map.georgiadfirm.com/. Instructions to find the flood risk at a specific address are here: www.georgiadfirm.com/default.htm?tab=3#TabbedPanels2. Or you can call City Hall at 678-512-3200.
If you believe a map is inaccurate, information on filing an appeal or protest can be found at www.georgiadfirm.com/publicdocs/pubdocs.htm. Once all comments are received and addressed, the maps are expected to become effective in Fall 2012. At that time, new flood insurance requirements will take effect.
For information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit www.floodsmart.com/.
Property owners mapped out of a high-risk flood area to a lower risk area will find that insurance is optional and less expensive. Flood insurance is still available, and is recommended, because the risk for flooding has only been reduced, not removed. About 25 percent of all flood claims occur in areas of moderate-to-low-flood risk.
If you are mapped into a higher risk zone, you may be able to save money by purchasing insurance prior to the new flood map becoming effective – a process known as "grandfathering."
Additional Johns Creek maps showing the current and preliminary flood zones are available at the following links:
Also see these brochures from the Georgia Flood Map Modernization Program: