Some homeowners in the town of Windsor could find themselves living in a flood zone under new floodplain maps developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Others in the southern tip of the county closer to the city of Franklin, who were previously in a designated flood zone due to their proximity to the Blackwater River, could find themselves no longer included.

FEMA is proposing updates to its flood insurance rate map for Isle of Wight County. According to a FEMA news release, the updated maps, available for public viewing at http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv, were produced in coordination with local, state and FEMA officials.

The proposed floodplain map isn’t final yet. According to FEMA’s announcement, affected residents have until Jan. 21 to comment on or appeal the new map.

Those with questions can contact a FEMA map specialist by calling 1-877-336-2627 or emailing EMA-FMIX@fema.dhs.gov.

According to Shaunee Beussink, an environmental planner with Isle of Wight County, the FEMA study led to changes in the special flood hazard area, or SFHA.

FEMA defines the term as an area having special flood, mudflow or flood-related erosion hazards.

“There are more buildings expected to be mapped out of the SFHA than mapped in,” Beussink said. “About 50 structures are expected to be newly mapped into the regulatory floodplain, and 80 are expected to be mapped out.”

Most of the areas mapped in are along North Prince Boulevard, also known as Route 258, in Windsor. Most of the areas mapped out are near the Blackwater River east of Franklin in the southern tip of the county, Beussink said.

FEMA’s announcement states appeals are to be submitted to the county’s local floodplain administrator, Amy Ring, at aring@iwus.net, who is also director of the county’s Community Development Department.

“Significant community review of the maps has already taken place, but before the maps become final, community partners can identify any corrections or questions about the information provided and submit appeals or comments,” FEMA’s news release states. “Residents, business owners and other community partners are encouraged to review the updated maps to learn about local flood risks and potential future flood insurance requirements. They may submit an appeal if they perceive that modeling or data used to create the map is technically or scientifically incorrect.”

But the burden of proof is on the landowner. According to FEMA, appeals must include technical information, such as hydrating or hydrologic data to support a claim, and appeals cannot be based on the effects of proposed projects or projects started after the study is in progress.

“The next step in the mapping process is the resolution of all comments and appeals,” FEMA’s news release states. “Once they are resolved, FEMA will notify communities of the effective date of the final maps.”

“Impacts to residents depends on their lending company and location,” Bussing said. “Insurance requirements for government backed mortgages are typically not  impacted by Preliminary Maps. Insurance changes with the Effective Maps. According to FEMA most properties in the effective SFHA are not insured.

“Within the effective SFHA, there are about 273 structures and 50 National Flood Insurance Program policies. You’re required to have flood insurance if you own a home or business in a high-risk flood area and have a government-backed mortgage. Some lenders require flood insurance even if you don’t live in a high-risk area. Therefore, properties with a government-backed mortgage within the SFHA will be required to obtain Flood insurance if their property was added.”

For properties that were previously in a floodplain but are removed under the new maps, “the insurance mandate is up to the lending company,” Beussink said. “Even though the home was removed from the SFHA does not mean the lender cannot require it. If the land (not the home) is now in the increased or decreased flood zone areas lenders could change the flood policy. I would advise anyone with questions to talk to their lenders and insurance companies, most homeowners insurance do not cover flood damage.  Since the County  participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) anyone living in county can buy government-backed flood insurance.”