Georgetown residents urged to get flood insurance as new maps show risk
GEORGETOWN, Texas (KXAN) -- The city of Georgetown is warning some of its residents to consider getting flood insurance sooner rather than later. A new county-wide project targeting potential flooding problems shows homes previously not covered by FEMA's floodplain could now be in the future.
"Their house doesn't have to be in the floodplain, but if a little corner of their backyard is in the floodplain, typically a mortgage lender will require flood insurance," Wesley Wright, the city's Systems Engineering Director, said.
The city said things have changed since FEMA last updated its floodplain map in the area some 30 years ago. The government agency typically does so every 30 to 40 years.
"Rainfall intensities have increased over the last 20 or 30 years," Wright said.
A new map project, dubbed "Atlas 14," shows new areas where flooding could occur. You can see that map here.
"If you're out of the flood plain right now, it's strongly encouraged for you to get flood insurance because it will be very cheap," Wright added. FEMA is expected to potentially update maps in 2025 which could cause rates to jump.
While the city would still have to approve using Atlas 14 in lieu of FEMA ones, that likely would not happen for awhile, Wright explained.
However, he said there are still ways for people to challenge and reassess what their property might show to make sure the information is correct.
"There are processes for folks to reclaim a floodplain," Wright said. "Usually that's done in the shallow areas, not in the major channels."
The Atlas 14 project is still being developed by Williamson County. But it has already doubled the amount of property that might be affected.
"A little over 11,000 structures in the floodplain. Before that Atlas 14 data, the FEMA map showed 5,000," Wright said.
More of the data from Atlas 14 is expected to be released in 2025.
You can see current FEMA flood zones here. You can see the full report to city council in the presentation here.