April 25, 2024 Adopted Floodplain Maps and Flood Insurance Study

History

On December 7, 2020 FEMA issued notice to the City of St. Joseph that the December 19, 2019 Preliminary copies of the revised Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Berrien County were available for the 90-day appeal process.  The changes related predominately to the Lake Michigan shoreline being designated as a V Velocity Zone.  Some property owners located on FIRM Sheet 26021C0101D believed the Preliminary 2019 map was incorrect and utilized the appeal process by submitting scientific data to the City of St. Joseph, which was forwarded to FEMA.

On November 5, 2021, city staff received an email from FEMA stating that “FEMA will be revising the preliminary maps for Berrien County and the new maps will be available for review and comment when complete.  This will likely take several months and we will provide notice of the review timeframe for the revised maps.” 

On September 2, 2022, FEMA released the revised FIRM and FIS Report for review and comment.  Firm Sheets 26021C0013D and 26021C0101D were modified along with the FIS Report. FEMA has stated that no new 90-day appeal process is required.  On October 25, 2023, FEMA notified the city the new FIS report and FIRM maps would become effective on April 25, 2024.  

Final Action

The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on February 1, 2024 regarding changes to Section 9.6 Floodplain Overlay District of the Zoning Ordinance and unanimously recommended approval of the amendment.  The City Commission conducted the first reading of the Ordinance on February 12, 2024 and the second reading on March 4, 2024 and unanimously approved the request.  The adopted Ordinance has an effective date of April 25, 2024.

Visit the FEMA website to view the April 25, 2024 maps or to learn learn more about the program