FEMA: States Need Time to Review Flood Map

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After facing strong opposition during a public meeting in Arkansas, a top federal official wants to give cities and towns in the Mississippi Delta more time to review maps that outline where flood insurance would be required. Craig Fugate, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, spoke during a public meeting in West Memphis, Ark., that attracted about 400 people, many of whom said FEMA’s maps – which outline areas where flood insurance would be required or recommended for new construction- would devastate the region’s economy.

The local mayor suggested a 90-day extension on the July deadline for local governments to adopt the maps. Fugate agreed that it was a good idea, but said he wasn’t sure whether he had the authority to approve an extension. FEMA originally set July 6 as the date to adopt the new maps or face a denial of FEMA disaster aid should it be requested. The Mississippi Delta region includes parts of Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana.

Much of east Arkansas is designated as being susceptible to a huge flood, but that’s based on the unjustified assumption that most levees built to limit flooding in the lower Mississippi River valley would fail, said Rob Rash, engineer for the St. Francis Levee District.

“The fact is our levees are solid and haven’t failed us in 83 years,” Rash said