CLAY COUNTY – The 90-day appeal period for the FEMA flood zone changes are underway and tuns until Wednesday, Nov. 18.

FEMA is updating Clay County’s Flood Insurance Rate Maps, which determines flood risk and may affect whether some residents are required to carry flood insurance. The appeal period allows residents to request changes or inform FEMA of issues.

Some residents could be required to carry flood insurance as a result, and for others, this could no longer be a requirement. To see which flood zone your property is listed, visit public.claycountygov.com/floodzone/.

To appeal, property owners must have technical data to support proposed appeals. This includes scientific or study data. FEMA will also consider comments and inquiries regarding data such as incorrect street names, typographical errors, and omissions. You may submit appeals by emailing floodteam@claycountygov.com. Appeals without data will be denied.

The updated maps use improved science and data, offering more accurate information than the 2014 maps. While most properties will see no change, some will be added to or removed from Special Flood Hazard Areas.

Clay County urges residents and business owners to review the maps and learn how changes may affect their insurance, property protection activities, and emergency planning.

Here are Flood Zone categories:

• High-risk areas (Special Flood Hazard Areas, or SFHAs) are designated as Zones A, AE and AE Floodway, and are required to have flood insurance if a federally backed mortgage is involved.

• Flood Zone X -The area of minimal flood hazard and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Shaded Flood Zone X Shaded – (500-year floodplain) An area of moderate flood hazards which has a 0.2% chance of annual flooding and is generally not required to have flood insurance. No flood permits are required for development.

• Flood Zones A & AE – (100-year floodplain) These areas have a 1% annual chance of flooding. Flood Zone A does not have a measured Base Flood Elevation. Flood Zone AE does. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in these zones, as are flood permits for development and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.

• Floodway – This area is defined as the channel of a river, creek or other watercourse and the adjacent land areas that must be preserved to safely discharge the base flood without causing increases in water elevation. Flood insurance is required for mortgaged structures in this zone, as are No-Rise Studies for any new development, flood permits and elevation certificates for new structures or substantial improvements.