JEFFERSON CITY, June 30, 2005—Gov. Matt Blunt announced that ten Missouri counties will have their floodplain maps digitally upgraded, as part of a $997,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA has awarded the grant through its Cooperating Technical Partners (CTP) Map Modernization Program.

The ten counties who will benefit from the grant are: Audrain, Boone, Franklin, Howard, Marian, McDonald, Montgomery, Pike, Ralls and Warren. In the next five years, FEMA plans to make new digital floodplain maps of all Missouri counties and communities.

Digital upgrades of the floodplain maps are important because they apply the latest technology to outdated maps. Counties can expect more accurate floodplain maps as a result of the map digitization. With a more accurate system, the upgrade increases development potential in floodplains and more clearly denotes uninhabitable areas.

Gov. Blunt, committed to improving the efficiency of the state through technology, was thankful to receive the grant.

“This digital technology will allow our state to have comprehensive countywide maps that increase the efficiency of surveyors, emergency management and developers, things all Missourians will benefit from," Blunt said.

The new digital maps will consist of data layers that can be viewed and manipulated on Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Paper maps will still be available for communities or individuals that need them.

The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) contracted with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in Rolla and the University of Missouri—Columbia to digitally upgrade the floodplain maps.

Fore more information about the digitization of Missouri’s floodplain maps or the FEMA grant, please contact Terri Durdaller at (573) 751-4819.

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