The flooding of May 2015 is not something most residents would care to revisit, but preparation is key for any disaster. Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird today announced plans to update the city’s floodplain maps, a decision over 60 years in the making.
“The floodplain maps that our city currently uses to plan and build vital infrastructure were created using rainfall data from 1961 – over 60 years ago,” said Mayor Gaylor Baird. “In response, we have engaged our partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and started the process to update our floodplain map based on the most current rainfall data.”
The re-mapping effort is likely to take five to eight years to complete. Because of this, Mayor Gaylor Baird’s administration will take interim steps to update flood protections for homes and businesses in floodplains safe.
The vast majority of homes and businesses are not located in floodplains and will be unaffected.