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East Ridge adopts updated floodplain ordinance to accept FEMA FIRM panels ahead of Nov. 28 deadline
Summary
The planning commission approved amending the municipal floodplain zoning ordinance to incorporate updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) panels; staff said adoption is required to maintain participation in the National Flood Insurance Program and to preserve access to federally backed flood insurance and disaster assistance.
The East Ridge Planning Commission on Oct. 6 voted to amend the municipal floodplain zoning ordinance to incorporate updated FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels that will take effect Nov. 28, 2025, ensuring continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Planning staff explained that FEMA recently finalized comprehensive updates to FIRM panels using lidar-based mapping and that East Ridge must adopt the panels before their effective date so the city remains in good standing with NFIP. Staff said FEMA and the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency have reviewed and approved the city’s flood ordinance as amended and that adoption codifies the updated map panels into the East Ridge municipal code. Staff stated there is no direct fiscal impact from adoption, but warned the consequences of failing to adopt include suspension from NFIP, loss of access to federally backed flood insurance for property owners and jeopardized eligibility for future disaster-relief funds. Staff also stated that East Ridge has eight FIRM panels to be adopted.
A commissioner asked how long it would take for GIS to reflect the updated maps; staff responded they would contact GIS but expected the update to be relatively quick because multiple Hamilton County municipalities were adopting the panels within the same timeframe. A question whether the changes would void existing Letters of Map Amendment or Map Revision was answered in the negative by staff.
No members of the public spoke on the item. The commission moved, seconded and approved the ordinance amendment by roll call; recorded affirmative votes came from Vice Chairperson Howe, Commissioner Cornelius, Commissioner Williams, Commissioner Witt and Chairperson Tuggle. The motion passed.
