The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of revising the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that determine the location of the regulatory floodplain in the Village of Pleasant Prairie along Lake Michigan. After they are finalized, these new maps, along with new land use restrictions specific to coastal areas along and near Lake Michigan, must be incorporated into the Village’s Floodplain Zoning Ordinance in order for the Village’s property owners to remain eligible for federal flood insurance. Generally speaking, areas that are included within the regulatory floodplain are subject to additional land use restrictions.
On November 4, 2022, the Village sent letters to property owners in the Village who may be affected by the map changes along Lake Michigan. The notice sent out by the Village included a letter received from FEMA dated October 7, 2022 and Comparison Maps generated from the FEMA website that compare the current Effective FEMA maps with the Preliminary FEMA maps adjacent to Lake Michigan.
The October 7, 2022 FEMA letter also outlines the next steps in the process to adopt their proposed changes and property owners opportunity to challenge the proposed changes.
Other useful links that may be helpful:
Mapping Flood Risk along the Great Lakes-Bing Video
Posting of Notice on FEMA website on October 20, 2022
FEMA's Preliminary Flood Map Comparison Tool
Preliminary FIRM Maps affecting Pleasant Prairie
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 1 of 3
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 2 of 3
Preliminary Flood Insurance Study, Volume 3 of 3
Kenosha County Upper Fox River Watershed and Coastal Study Map Update May 31, 2022 PowerPointe slides
Flood Hazard Mitigation in the Great Lakes August 31, 2022 PowerPointe slides
FEMA Fact Sheet
Coastal Flood Risk-Link to FEMA website
Protect Your Property from Costal Erosion-Link to FEMA publication
On Tuesday, November 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. the Village held a public information meeting at the Village Municipal Building Auditorium. During this meeting, representatives from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and FEMA, who who attended virtually, provided information and answered questions from property owners. Use the following links to the presentation.
November 29, 2022 Public Information Meeting video
November 29, 2022 Public Information Meeting PowerPointe slides
In addition, questions regarding this matter, can be directed to:
Rick Sacbibit, Chief, Engineering Services Branch
Federal Insurant and Mitigation Administration
FEMA
400 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
(202) 646-7659
Email: [email protected]
or visit the FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX) online at
https://www.floodpmaps.fema.gov/fhm/fmx_main.html