Edhat Staff
Source: County of Santa Barbara
Updated interim flood advisory recovery maps from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) were released today and are posted online at https://readysbc.org/maps/.
The maps will be discussed at a community meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 14 at the County Administration Fourth Floor Hearing Room, 105 E. Anapamu St. The Board of Supervisors will consider adoption of the maps on June 19.
Montecito residents whose homes were destroyed or damaged in the 1/9 Debris Flow are encouraged to attend and learn more about the updated FEMA maps, and also to schedule individual meetings with their Planning and Development case manager. “The maps are a critical guide to future development decisions in Montecito,” said Matt Pontes, the County’s assistant executive officer.
“The updated FEMA maps are a key tool to rebuild Montecito Pontes added. “Because the older FEMA maps no longer reflect current conditions, these updated maps will be our guiding documents moving forward,” explained Pontes, who serves as Santa Barbara County’s director of recovery. Pontes will speak and answer questions, along with the County director of planning and development and flood control officials.
The FEMA maps reflect updated flood plains – areas that can be expected to flood in heavy rainfalls — and new elevations that resulted from the events related to the 1/9 Debris Flow. Residents, architects and contractors can use the new elevations and flood hazard zones to guide their planning and development decisions.
“The decision of whether or not to rebuild rests entirely with the private property owners of Montecito,” Pontes said. “The FEMA maps will help guide how that process takes shape,” he noted.
The updated flood advisory recovery maps do not affect insurance considerations. The current FEMA flood insurance rate maps (FIRMs) will be used for insurance purposes until new, permanent maps are developed in the next 4 to 5 years.
