South Carolina Region OKs New Flood Maps For First Time In Years
Island Packet (Hilton Head, SC)
Mar. 11 Port Royal is updating its 35-year-old flood maps to comply with federal policy, and the changes will mean fewer residents will be required to buy flood insurance for their home.
The Port Royal Town Council unanimously approved changes Wednesday to its flood maps and building requirements to make sure they conform to the Federal Emergency Management Agency s recent update of its maps and South Carolina Department of Natural Resources model ordinances. The maps will go into effect March 23.
According to the new maps, 1,840 properties in the town no longer will be required to have flood insurance, as they won t be considered part of special flood hazard areas high-risk tracts where homes with federally backed mortgages must be insured against flooding. Additionally, new construction in these high-risk areas will be subject to several new town rules designed to safeguard bui