Another Way to View the Flood Maps

FEMA and IDNR held a series of open houses about two weeks ago to display preliminary versions of updated flood insurance rate maps. Local officials, property owners and resident from Madison, Monroe and St. Clair counties had the opportunity to comment and/or correct the maps and learn about flood insurance options and requirements. A very limited number of local business and property owners took advantage of these opportunities.

Fortunately, an alternative means for accessing this information remains available online at www.illinoisfloodmaps.org. Here is how to access that information:

1. Click on the county (Monroe, probably) that is of interest;
2. Scroll down to the "index panels" and click there;
3. Find the bold alpha-numeric code in the maps blocks;
4. Return to the list of panel numbers and click on the corresponding last three-four digits.

There is information on how to interpret the maps on FEMA's website with a description of the new Monroe County Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as well as a tutorial on their Map Service Center page.

Thanks to Patrick McKeehan at the Leadership Council Southwest Illinois for these directions.