Town Announces Appeal Period For Proposed FEMA Flood Hazard Determinations

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is proposing revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for the Town of New Canaan.    The new maps may include additions or modifications of special flood hazard areas, changes in base flood elevations or depths, and flood zone designation changes.

FEMA has published notice of the proposed flood hazard determination on February 9, 2024 in the Connecticut Post.  The significance of the publication is to start a 90-day appeal period, beginning February 16, 2024 and ending on May 16, 2024.  The appeal period is an opportunity for the municipality or any property owners to challenge the Federal Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMS) and the Federal Insurance Study (FIS).  The appeal process is done by filing a formal written appeal to a new or revised base flood elevation (BFE), flood zone, or floodway.  Anyone considering an appeal must provide additional scientific or technical data. 

FEMA prefers appeals to be submitted to the Town from property owners, who will send them in one submission to FEMA.  FEMA will accept submissions directly from property owners if received during the appeal period.  The approximate date for FIRM and FIS to become effective is November of 2025.  The exact date will become set further into the map update process.

The new proposed maps are available for review at Town Hall-77 Main Street, New Canaan, CT 06840 (Inland Wetlands office) and can be viewed online at: www.newcanaan.info , along with other helpful resources.

Direct link:  FEMA Flood Map Changes (Updated with Appeal Process Information) (newcanaan.info)

For questions regarding the new mapping or appeals process, please contact Inland Wetlands Director Kathleen Holland at (203) 594-3036 or kathleen.holland@newcanaanct.gov