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Salem outlines public outreach, appeal steps after FEMA preliminary flood map revisions
Summary
City staff briefed Council on FEMA's preliminary flood map revisions, announced two public open meetings and a 90-day technical appeal window, and said the City will update its floodplain ordinance; staff later reported few city-owned properties newly affected, including Salem High School.
City of Salem officials outlined next steps for residents after receiving FEMA's preliminary flood map revisions and announced upcoming public sessions to explain the changes and the technical-appeal process.
Chuck Van Allman, the city's director of community development, told the City Council on March 9 that FEMA will open a 90-day technical appeal period likely later this spring. Residents will be able to review the preliminary maps and submit technical appeals during that period. Van Allman said the city must update its floodplain ordinance to reference the new maps before FEMA's final adoption to remain in compliance with the National Flood Insurance Program.
Van Allman and Assistant City Manager Rob Light described an early public-outreach effort that includes two open meetings for residents to review maps and ask questions: March 17 at 2:00 p.m. and March 19 at 5:00 p.m., both in Council Chambers at City Hall. City staff will offer one-on-one help at those sessions, with laptops available to assist property owners in locating parcels and understanding the data; Van Allman said the city is coordinating with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management and FEMA for additional technical support.
Vice-Mayor Anne Marie Green asked whether any city or school facilities would be affected. Van Allman said he would research and report back. At the end of the meeting he returned with preliminary findings: "few City-owned properties are affected," he said, naming Salem High School (already partially within the mapped flood area), three parcels along Salem Industrial Drive — mainly easements including one ingress/egress area — and one property on Dixie Drive. Van Allman said no other city-owned properties had been identified as newly affected at that time.
Van Allman said approximately 1,200 notification letters had been sent to properties in or near the hazard area and that the city will publish appeals instructions on its website and may hold additional assistance sessions. He emphasized the complexity of mapping data and encouraged residents to use the scheduled public meetings for individualized support.
The city's next steps include public outreach during the appeal window, coordinating appeals and technical information with FEMA and VDEM, and preparing amendments to the city's floodplain ordinance ahead of FEMA's Letter of Final Determination and the maps becoming effective (anticipated approximately six months after that letter).
