Oct. 22 meeting in Enumclaw set to discuss new flood maps, flood study for the White River

King County is hosting a public meeting Oct. 22 in Enumclaw to discuss a new flood study and draft flood maps for the White River. The updated information will be used to revise flood insurance rate maps for property owners within unincorporated King County. The new flood study includes seven miles of the White River, from the State Route 410 bridge crossing upstream to Mud Mountain Dam.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the county are working to improve floodplain information and mapping, which is part of King County’s overall floodplain program.

FEMA has given King County the highest rating of any county in the nation for its flood hazard reduction services, resulting in a 40 percent discount in annual flood-insurance premiums for county residents.

The Oct. 22 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. at the King County Fire District No. 28 building, 1330 Wells St. in Enumclaw.

Draft flood maps will be on display for public review and comment. FEMA Region X representatives will provide an overview of the National Flood Insurance Program, and floodplain management specialists from the Washington State Department of Ecology will also be on hand to provide information on state floodplain regulations.

The current floodplain maps, called flood insurance rate maps, will be updated using new aerial photographs, topographic maps and river channel surveys. King County is a Cooperating Technical Partner (CTP) with the FEMA. The CTP program assists qualified local communities to update maps to improve the information about flood hazard areas.

The White River study work began in 2007 and involves collecting ground elevation data and aerial photography along the river valley. Field crews have also collect river channel information by boat.

The information, including estimates of flood elevations and areas of inundation, will be displayed on the draft flood maps at the public meeting, which are also available online at http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/waterandland/flooding/maps.aspx .

Public comments on the draft flood maps will be accepted until Nov. 7. King County staff and the study contractor will review public comments and finalize the draft flood maps, which will be submitted to FEMA for final review and approval. After approval, FEMA will publish new flood insurance rate maps.

For more information about the floodplain study, contact Jeanne Stypula, King County’s project representative, at 206-296-8380. For questions about the National Flood Insurance Program, contact John Graves, floodplain management specialist at the FEMA Bothell office at 425-487-4737.

Related information

White River Watershed

Flooding Services and Information

River and Floodplain Management Section

Water and Land Resources Division