The three localities have been working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to update the flood maps to show flood hazard areas in the County and towns. Federal law requires all structures within special flood hazards areas to have a federally backed mortgage.

Montgomery County will have the preliminary maps available at the County Government Center, Planning Department, 755 Roanoke Street., Christiansburg. Blacksburg property owners may go to the Municipal Building, Engineering and GIS Department, 300 South Main Street. Christiansburg residents may go to the Planning Department, 100 E. Main Street. All County and town maps will be available at each location.

Comment forms will be available for landowners to detail their concerns during this "nontechnical" review phase. The localities also will be holding public meetings later in the process this fall for property owners to review, receive additional information and ask questions about the maps.

If your property has a structure that is newly identified within a special flood hazard area and you do not have flood insurance coverage, you may be able to take advantage of FEMA's "grandfather" rules. These rules allow you to purchase flood insurance based on the flood insurance rate maps in effect when the insurance policy is issued. Since flood insurance rates are much lower for properties outside a special flood hazard area, landowners whose property moves out of the floodplain when the new maps go into effect may be eligible for lower rates.

For more information, Montgomery County landowners may call 394-2148; in Blacksburg, call 961-4667; and in Christiansburg, 382-6120.

Additional information is available from FEMA at its National Flood Insurance Program offices, 500 C St. SW, Washington, D.C. 20472, 1-877-FEMA-MAP or www.fema.gov/business/nfip.

More information is also available at the state Floodplain Management Program offices from David M. Gunn at (804) 786-1369 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Charley Banks at (804) 371-6135 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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