FEMA Flood Map Update

Overview

FEMA, in cooperation with the state of Oregon, Lane County, the city of Eugene, and other local communities, is updating flood maps to better convey the risk of flooding in central Lane County. To help inform the community, FEMA has put together a virtual resource. Residents can visit it online to learn more about this map update through the FEMA-prduced virtual resource. 

Through this virtual resource, property owners and community residents can learn about the flood mapping process and what the changes mean for them. They can also get information about the National Flood Insurance Program. Residents can learn who to contact if they need more support.

We encourage you to visit the virtual resource, review your flood risk, and ask questions via the contact information it provides. You can preview the Coast Fork and Middle Fork Willamette River map updates directly through the Flood Map Comparison Tool. You can also ask for a flood map for your property by emailing PropertyIDMap@starr-team.com. 

Flooding is the most common and expensive natural disaster in the United States. Studies show that the high-risk areas on flood maps have a 26% chance of being flooded at some point during a 30-year mortgage. Learn more about the costs of flooding and flood insurance on the Flood Smart website.

Why are the Flood Maps Changing?

Flood risk changes over time, and mapping technology has improved. By working with the state, county and local communities, FEMA is using updated data and newer technology to update the flood maps. Updated maps will more accurately represent the risk of flooding in your community. 

The new map can help Eugene residents better understand flood risks leading to more informed decisions about how to guard against damage and loss.

What does this mean for you?

The new flood map, officially known as a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), identifies areas of flood risk (high, moderate, low). It will influence financial, planning, investment and development decisions.

Owners of structures in high-risk areas (flood zones beginning with the letter 'A') will be required to have flood insurance for loans from federally regulated or insured lenders. We encourage all Eugene residents to be aware of their flood risk and purchase flood insurance. 

The revised preliminary map is available online for public viewing.

Recent Activity and Next Steps

The statutory 90-day appeal period officially ended on April 19, 2023. The appeal period is the time when comments and appeals, with supporting technical data, may be submitted to FEMA for consideration and possible incorporation into the maps. 

A second revised preliminary version of the flood maps is anticipated in early spring 2024 due to the receipt of comments. Following the resolution of any comments via revised preliminary, FEMA will send communities a Letter of Final Determination (LFD). Since the anticipated revised preliminary is based on comment resolution, an additional appeal period is not required. The effective date for the project will be six months after the LFD is issued.

Amazon Creek Flood Map Updates

The Amazon Creek FIRMs and Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are being updated through a separate, concurrent process than the Coast Fork and Middle Fork Willamette River FIRM updates. This process is known as a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR). A comparison map tool showing the Amazon Creek effective vs. DRAFT SFHA will be made available once provided by FEMA. 

This process is on a different timeline than the Coast Fork and Middle Fork Willamette River flood maps updates.