HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2017-02-17 Floodplain Changes
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
February 17, 2017
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Town of Leesburg Amends Floodplain Ordinances
Town property owners who have flood insurance are encouraged to contact
their lenders or insurance companies.
Leesburg, VA (February 17, 2017) – On Tuesday, February 14, 2017, the Leesburg Town Council
approved a series of amendments to Town regulations and ordinances in response to changes
made by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to the floodplain maps. These
amendments were necessary for the Town to participate in the National Flood Insurance
Program.
FEMA last updated the floodplain maps in 2001. The 2001 updates were based, in part, on
projected development. Now that much of the projected development has occurred and the
actual effects on the floodplain can be documented, in many places the new maps have
reduced the extent of the flood zones.
According to William Ackman, Leesburg’s director of plan review, Plan Review, about 200
parcels within the Town were removed from the high-risk “major” flood zone (areas that drain
over 640 acres) and an additional 100 parcels were removed from the moderate-risk “minor”
flood zone (areas that drain between 100 and 640 acres). Based on the new maps, less than 60
existing structures are located in flood zones, down from 265 on the 2001 maps.
“The good news for these property owners is that they may no longer be required by their
lenders to have flood insurance,” said Ackman.
Town officials are encouraging all Leesburg property owners who currently have flood
insurance to contact their lenders or insurance companies to determine if they still are required
to carry flood insurance. A few properties were added to the floodplain. All of those property
owners received letters from the Town informing them of the change.
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