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North Smithfield council adopts flood-zone map update to preserve residents’ flood insurance
Summary
The Town Council voted June 15 to adopt FEMA-based amendments to the flood-zone ordinance, a change officials said must be in place by June 23 to avoid lapses in flood-insurance coverage for affected residents.
The North Smithfield Town Council on June 15 voted to adopt an amendment to the town’s flood-zone ordinance reflecting updated Federal Emergency Management Agency maps, a step town officials said is necessary to maintain residents’ flood-insurance eligibility.
Planner Mark told the council the FEMA map update — the first since about 2009 — must be adopted before June 23 for current policyholders to remain covered. He noted administrative updates in the draft, including a revised FEMA Region One address, and said Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency had reviewed and approved the changes in advance.
Councilors opened a public hearing, heard brief comments, and then voted to adopt the amendment with a modification to the listed FEMA address on page two. The council’s action was presented as an urgent compliance matter: staff said failure to adopt the maps on the required timetable could cause residents to lose flood-insurance coverage.
The ordinance revises map dates and notations and makes a notification change reflecting FEMA Region One’s Cambridge office. Planner Mark said copies of the updated maps will be available in the planning office and that adoption will keep the town in compliance with National Flood Insurance Program requirements.
The council closed the public hearing, approved the amendment, and directed staff to complete the administrative steps necessary to implement the maps.
