FEMA Preliminary Flood Maps

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) generates flood maps for communities to identify which areas have the highest risk of flooding. These maps are provided to communities in the form of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), which are the basis of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) regulations and flood insurance requirements. Each time FEMA provides a community with updated FIRMs, the community must adopt or amend floodplain management regulations to incorporate the new data and meet any additional requirements that result from any changes in the data. Flood maps were last updated for the Town of Granby in 2008.

In 2018 FEMA hired a consultant, CDM Smith/Compass to assist with a flood risk study of the Farmington River Watershed, which includes the Town of Granby and eighteen other Hartford County communities, to update the current flood maps. The study utilized hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, new topography and aerial imagery, and revised modeling. From this information, preliminary flood maps were created, which are now available for public review.  

Property owners are encouraged to review the preliminary maps at the FEMA Flood Map Service Center online here. If there are any questions about the new maps and the effect on property, the FEMA Mapping and Insurance eXchange (FMIX) Customer Care Center may be contacted at 1-877-336-2627 or online here. Please also refer to the information provided by CDM Smith/Compass, linked here.

The Town received notification from FEMA that the 90-day appeal period for these preliminary flood maps will start on February 28, 2024 and will end on May 28, 2024. During this 90-day appeal period, any property owner who believes their property rights will be adversely impacted by the proposed flood hazard determinations may file an appeal. The sole basis for an appeal is the possession of knowledge or information indicating that the proposed flood hazard determinations are scientifically or technically incorrect. All appeals must be forwarded by the Town to FEMA during the 90-day appeal period. Please see the attached letter from FEMA here.

It is preferred that municipalities gather appeals from property owners and send them in one submission to FEMA. However, FEMA will accept submissions directly from property owners if received during the appeal period.  Appeal data can be sent or emailed to FEMA or CDM Smith (FEMA’s contractor) at the contacts below:

Christopher Markesich

Community Coordination Officer

FEMA Region I

220 Binney Street

Cambridge, MA 02142

(617) 832-4712

Email:  christopher.markesich@fema.dhs.gov

Katelyn T. Henry

CDM Smith

11500 North Lake Drive

Suite 305

Cincinnati, OH 45249

Email:  henrykt@cdmsmith.com

If property owners have any questions about accessing the flood maps, they may contact Abby Kenyon at 860-844-5318.