Blunt Announces $4.2 Million
for Digitalized Flood Maps
JEFFERSON CITY, June 14, 2007- Gov. Matt Blunt announced
today that Missouri will receive over $4.2 million from the U.S. Department
of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
to update and digitalize flood maps in 15 counties and the City of
St. Louis.
As an advocate for improving government efficiency through
technology, Gov. Blunt is pleased to receive these grants to digitally
upgrade outdated maps.
“This mapping project will help update community
flooding hazards and better manage floodplain development,”
Blunt said. “The new maps will also ensure Missourians can continue
to purchase flood insurance to protect their homes and businesses.”
Digital upgrades of the floodplain maps are important
because they apply the latest technology to outdated maps and show
areas at risk for flooding, allowing businesses and property owners
to make better financial decisions about protecting their property.
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.
The State Emergency Management Agency will use the $4,237,588
grant to modernize
flood insurance rate maps for Clay, Crawford, Henry, Howell, Johnson,
LaClede, Lafayette, Lawrence, Newton, Platte, Pulaski, Ray, Scott,
St. Francois and Stone counties as well as the City of St. Louis.
The project intends to use federal funds to digitally map counties
with known flood hazards by 2011.
The current grant comes as part of FEMA’s Map
Modernization Program. In 2006, Missouri received $3.2 million to
produce digital maps for 38 Missouri counties. After project completion,
73 counties and the City of St. Louis will have digitalized flood
maps.