Important changes are occurring in Orange County. A multi-year FEMA project to re-examine flood zones and develop detailed digital flood hazard maps will end September 25, 2009. This effort is part of FEMA's national map modernization project to produce more reliable flood risk data and report it in a digital format. This new format will enable communities to overlay maps with streets, stormwater facilities, and existing property improvements to help analyze flood prone areas. In Orange County, surface water flow and drainage patterns have changed significantly in the 28 years since the first Flood Insurance Rate Maps were produced for our area.

These changes are related to land development, erosion, land use, and other natural forces. However, the existing Flood Hazard Maps have not kept up with these changes and do not reflect current flood risks. In addition, new technology has provided much more detailed terrain modeling that translates to more accurate floodplain mapping. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has revised the Flood Hazard Maps, also known as Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRM).