By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The City of Hutchinson adopted new floodplain maps that go into effect January 29, but the adoption is the end of a multiyear process.
"The update for this mapping began in the summer of 2017," said Ryan Hvitlok with the City. "There was a public open house that was held in April of 2018. FEMA opened their three month appeal period back in July of 2019 and a letter of final determination was issued by FEMA on July 29, 2020. This LFD actually started the six month clock for the city to hold a public hearing and adopt the revised maps and study and a revised ordinance."
Over 200 properties were added to the floodplain. All of those whose status was to change or who remained in the floodplain were notified, by either the city or FEMA or both, most in 2018.
"We went from about 200 properties in the floodplain to just over 400 properties in the floodplain," Hvitlok said. "Federal law does require that properties with a federally backed mortgage have to obtain flood insurance."
A regular homeowners policy does not cover damage from flooding.
"There are currently 31 flood insurance policies in the city," Hvitlok said. "We expect that number will go up with the number of properties that are going into the floodplain. Currently, staff is working with the state and FEMA to join what we call the community rating system. This is very similar to the fire insurance ISO rating, where you can do certain things and actually bring that cost of flood insurance down."
Over forty taxing entities in Kansas are already part of the Community Rating System, but neither Hutchinson or Reno County are a part as of the last published list last October.