Find Out If Your Pinellas Home Is Located In A Flood Plain

PINELLAS COUNTY, FL — The Federal Emergency Management Administration has updated the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for the coastal areas of Pinellas County. The new map will be effective Aug. 24.

Pinellas County Floodplain Management is encouraging property owners to find out if their flood zone or base flood elevation is changing.

The public can view the pending maps at bit.ly/PinellasPendingMaps. If you're having difficulty reading them, this information might help.

If the flood zone or base flood elevation for a property changes, the flood insurance rate and the requirement to carry a flood policy may also change. By law, federally regulated or insured mortgage lenders require flood insurance on buildings that are located in areas at high risk of flooding. Standard homeowners, business owners and renters insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage. Consequently, flood insurance for financial protection is an important consideration for everyone subject to flood risks.

Pinellas County Floodplain Management also encourages property owners to contact their flood insurance agent to determine how the changes will affect their flood insurance premiums and ensure they secure the lowest available rate.

Call the National Flood Insurance Program Help Center at (800) 427-4661, visit floodsmart.gov, or contact a Flood Insurance Advocate at pinellascounty.org/flooding/advocates.htm for more information.