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Effective February 8, 2024, a digital flood hazard map is in effect for portions of Oak Creek Canyon in Yavapai County. This includes parts of the city of Sedona in Yavapai County. Flood maps for portions of Oak Creek Canyon and tributaries in Coconino County became effective March 21, 2023.

Flood maps are known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM). They identify areas at risk of flooding. These flood maps are used to determine flood insurance and building requirements. These updated maps replace maps based on research that is more than 30 years old.

Residents and business owners can use maps to get reliable information about the current flood risk for each property.

The map also includes flood zone and elevation data. They help community planners, engineers, contractors, and others decide where and how to build new structures, developments, and remodeling projects. For information about mapping projects and how to view new maps, visit: www.yavapaiaz.gov/Resident-Services/Flood-Control/Projects/Oak-Creek-Floodplain-Re-mapping-Project.

“Flooding is becoming an increasingly frequent and costly problem in this part of Arizona, and it's not just in high-risk areas,” said Lynn Whitman. “Having more accurate and easily accessible maps is a critical step in understanding risk. This will help residents and business owners take steps to reduce flood risk and insure against floods. It helps.”

The Yavapai County Flood Control District (YCFCD) led this project in partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Coconino County Flood Control District, and the City of Sedona.

This process included an extensive, multi-year review of changes driven by the environment, land use, and other forces. State-of-the-art aerial mapping and risk modeling techniques, new scientific data, and comprehensive pre-release reviews were used.

After reviewing the map, some property owners find that their flood risk is higher or lower than they thought. As the risk level of a property changes, flood insurance and building code requirements may also change. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program has cost reduction rating options to reduce the cost of flood insurance. This applies to property owners whose property's flood risk has gone from low to medium risk to high risk (e.g. from flood zone X to zone A or AE).

This press release is provided by the Yavapai County Flood Management District. If you have general questions about the new flood maps, please contact the Yavapai County Flood Management District at 928-771-3197 during normal business hours or Flood Management District Director Lynn Whitman at Lynn.Whitman@yavapaiaz .gov).

For more information about flood insurance, contact your local insurance agent or visit: www.FloodSmart.gov.

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