Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

It has been said, “You will never understand bureaucracies until you understand that for bureaucrats procedure is everything and outcomes are nothing.”

Many people in Marin have experienced the truth in this quotation recently with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) who has revised the Flood Insurance Rate Maps for Marin County. As a result of federal regulations, hundreds of parcels are now either fully or partially being added to a designated flood zone. The immediate financial impact to the affected property owners is that they may be required to purchase flood insurance by their mortgage lenders under federal regulations.

The new FEMA flood maps become effective on May 4. Affected property owners can obtain flood insurance at significantly reduced rates prior to that date.

FEMA provided public notice of these map revisions in the Federal Register and in the Marin Independent Journal. Although local government is not required to notify residents of FEMA map changes, the County, in an effort to help get the word out, mailed individual notices to all potentially affected property owners countywide, advising of the changes and informing residents of two public meetings that the County sponsored where residents could ask questions directly of FEMA staff.

I know there has been some confusion and frustration about this process. Someone remarked to me: “Let’s join in the new game that’s sweeping the country. It’s called ‘Bureaucracy’. Everybody stands in a circle. The first person to do anything loses.” The County has tried to do something, but FEMA’s rules keep changing.

If residents have questions about a map amendment or flood insurance they should contact FEMA or their insurance lender. For FEMA flood insurance questions contact Jana Critchfield at (510) 627-7266 or for any FEMA technical questions contact Michael Hornick at (510) 627-7260.

Good luck.