Residents living along Left Hand Creek within Longmont are invited to an open house to review and offer input on newly issued draft floodplain maps from the Colorado Hazard Mapping Program (CHAMP) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The open house will be held from 5-7 pm Monday, April 23, at the Development Services Center, 385 Kimbark St.
These maps provide the most up-to-date details on how properties surrounding Left Hand Creek would be expected to fare in case of a future 100-year flood event. The draft floodplain maps reflect data acquired since the 2013 and 2015 floods that impacted Longmont.
The FEMA approval process for updated floodplain maps can take several years to complete. The Left Hand Creek floodplain maps are not anticipated to be approved until 2021. Once approved, FEMA floodplain maps are used by insurers to determine rates for flood insurance. This means that property owners can benefit from being aware of upcoming changes to their property’s flood risk level. Longmont’s Planning and Development Services department uses the draft maps to guide its decisions regarding floodplain development permits.
Longmont’s Floodplain Administrator, Monica Bortolini, will provide a brief update on the remapping project and its effect on flood insurance at 5:30 pm. She will also be able to answer questions about specific properties located along Left Hand Creek.
Left Hand Creek flows through Longmont from Hover Street on the west side to its confluence with St. Vrain Creek just east of Martin Street.
Residents who are unable to attend the April 23 open house are invited to review the draft maps and submit feedback online at bit.ly/are-you-in-a-floodplain.
For more information, visit LongmontColorado.gov/flood-info or call 303-651-8330.