A service of Salisbury University and University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

New Kent County Flood Map

FEMA

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Kent County residents and leaders are getting their first look at new flood maps and worrying about the impact on flood insurance rates.

The News Journal reports that federal officials unveiled new flood maps for Kent County on Tuesday night. It is first in the rollout of maps statewide.

Final approval for the maps that affect the federal flood insurance rates is expected in the spring. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been ordered to make its flood insurance program self-sustaining.

New rates will affect vacation homes that aren't primary residences first and business in high hazard areas next. FEMA's David Bollinger says vacation home owners could see rates increase 25 percent annually over four years.

Leipsic Mayor Craig Pugh says he's worried about affordability, especially for low-income residents.

(See: news.delaware.gov)

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.