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Longmont City Council Hears Presentation on New Floodplain Maps

Bortolini explained to council that the new maps are not expected to become official until early 2021.
Macie May
Macie May
St Vrain Creek
St Vrain Creek – Sandstone Ranch, Longmont – Photograph by Mark Ivins

This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.

Due to the 2013 flood, former Governor Hickenlooper initiated a series of studies on the areas affected by the flood.

These studies have resulted in some changes to the FEMA floodplain maps (FIRMs).

The FIRMs are important to Longmont because they will determine flood insurance rates in the included areas.

A presentation was given to the Longmont City Council by Senior Civil Engineer/Floodplain Admistrator, Monica Bortolini at the Tuesday, October 15 Longmont City Council Study Session.

Bortolini explained to council that the new maps are not expected to become official until early 2021. However, in the near future council could expect an ordinance to adopt the draft maps.

Adopting the draft maps would allow city staff to make sure that future development does not happen in the newly mapped flood plain. Additionally, the 18-month window would allow residents and businesses in the floodplain area to fully assess their flood insurance needs and requirements.

Since this particular council meeting was a study session, the topic was merely discussed and council was informed of the changes.