For Immediate Release
Date: August 1, 2014

The City of Savannah is seeking help from the public to identify areas of the City that flood as part of a process to update the Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan. The Plan is part of an annual process being undertaken by the City that reduces flood insurance premiums by 20% for Savannah homeowners, and aids the City’s ongoing floodplain and storm water management efforts.

The public can provide input at three public meetings Aug. 5-7. Those meetings are:

• Tuesday, Aug. 5 -- 6-7:30 p.m., W.W. Law Community Center, 900 E. Bolton St.
• Wednesday, Aug. 6 -- 6-7:30 p.m., Moses Jackson Community Center, 1410 Richards St.
• Thursday, Aug. 7 -- 6-7:30 p.m., Windsor Forest Community Center, 414 Briarcliff Circle

The purpose of these meetings is to share information related to the project, as well as to gain input from residents, business owners and other stakeholders on current flood problems and possible mitigation solutions. The information gained from these meetings will supplement the fieldwork, technical data and studies generated in preparation of the plan. All members of the community are invited and encouraged to attend. However, if you cannot attend, you can request a pre-paid, self-addressed questionnaire to be sent to you to complete and resubmit.

The purpose of the Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan is to assess current flood hazard conditions, including historically flooded areas and the most critical repetitively flooded properties, and to develop appropriate mitigation strategies for the City to consider in reducing or eliminating future flood losses. Upon completion of the plan, the City of Savannah intends to continue its aggressive floodplain management efforts by evaluating, targeting and applying for Federal grant funds to assist in the implementation of future flood hazard mitigation projects.

Because of the City of Savannah’s participation in this process, FEMA will reduce flood insurance premiums by 20% for all property owners insured through the National Flood Insurance Program.

The final Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan will be prepared and submitted for adoption by the City Council. The adopted plan will be a stand-alone document that will be utilized to update the Flood Hazard section of the Chatham County Multi-jurisdictional Hazard Plan to provide greater focus and attention to the City of Savannah in reducing its current and future flood hazards.

Should you have any questions about the open public meetings or the development of Savannah’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Plan, please contact Tom McDonald, Development Service Administrator, at (912) 651-6530.