In support of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), FEMA has undertaken an effort of flood hazard identification and mapping to update Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for Newton County. The County’s flood maps are over 30 years old; many are outdated and may not realistically depict the existing flood risk. These maps are created to reflect the base flood event, defined as the flood having a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year (also referred to as the 100-year flood).

FEMA’s Map Modernization entails providing flood maps and data for communities nationwide that are more accurate, easier-to-use, and readily available. FEMA has selected Newton County and its incorporated cities: Covington, Porterdale, Oxford, Mansfield, and Newborn to produce updated flood maps in digital format, and provide users easier access to the flood hazard data. FEMA has requested copies of all local flood related data within Newton County to assist them with this Map Modernization process.

The end result of this project will be digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps that can be used in our GIS for floodplain management and planning applications. The improved accuracy and updated information contained in the DFIRM’s will be invaluable to Newton County and it’s citizens.

Preliminary FIS and Digital FIRM (DFIRM) Community Review Period
(March 24 – April 22, 2006)

• Preliminary FIS and FIRM are issued to all impacted communities
• Community officials complete a 30 day Review Period of the preliminary DFIRM and FIS
• Hard copies of the maps are available for public review at Newton County GIS office from 8:00am to 5:00pm April 10^th – 21^st.

 The Newton County GIS office is located at 1146 Conyers Street SE Covington, GA 30014 across from the Covington Police Department. Please contact Josh Knight (678)-625-1615 or Ernie Smith (678)-625-1616 if you have any questions.

 FAQ Map Modernization

 FAQ National Flood Insurance Program