Clinton residents win battle over FEMA flood zones
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May 10, 2007
By ADAM LONGO
6 News Reporter
CLINTON (WATE) -- Residents of an Anderson County subdivision took on the federal government and won.
6 News first reported Monday about new flood plain maps being issued by FEMA. A group of residents in the Mariner Point subdivision in Clinton along the Clinch River didn't agree with changes being made in their area.
The new maps were made effective in January. That's when the 70 or so homeowners in Mariner's Point found out they had been added into the new flood plain.
They found out by chance after one neighbor applied to have his home refinanced. The mortgage company told him he needed to carry flood insurance.
"We were all shocked, because nobody had a clue we were changed," says Mariner Point Homeowner Association President Rick Lowden.
Lowden says he was taken by surprise after trying to apply for a home equity loan. The bank told him he needed flood insurance too.
That's when the battle began.
Lowden and his neighbors weren't convinced they should be in the flood zone.
Despite their proximity to the Clinch River, the water flow is controlled by TVA. Many of the houses are at least ten feet above what the water level was Thursday.
Officials with Anderson County Zoning and Public Works also weren't convinced.
"We've discovered some irregularities, not sure why they are there," says environmental coordinator Brian Jenks. "There's a substantial number of people who will be required to carry flood insurance and pay those premiums who may or may not need to."
After the Mariner Point residents followed mounds of paperwork and held meetings with countless government officials, FEMA relented and granted them a "map revision." That means their homes are now out of the flood zone.
The corrected maps for Mariner Point will be effective on May 30.
Anderson County residents who want to find out if they're in the new flood zone can call Engineering and Public Works at 457-6244.
Here are a list of counties in the 6 News viewing area and their status of enacting the new flood maps:
Claiborne, Cocke, Cumberland, Grainger, Fentress, Hancock, Jefferson, Monroe, Sevier and Union counties are currently in the process of being studied.
No timetable has been set for the flood plain maps to be issued.
To view FEMA's Web site and view flood plain maps CLICK HERE and follow the instructions below.
1) Along the red bar toward the top of the screen click "map search".
2) Type your address and click "go".
3) Note the lengthy numbers in pink. Write them down. Exit the pop-up window.
4) Along the red bar toward the top click "quick order".
5) In the empty box titled "Map Panel ID", type the pink number from before and click "search".
6) Click the magnifying glass icon under where it says "View".
7) The software tool will allow you to zoom in on your location.
**NOTE** Many of these maps are not current. There is a two month lag period between when maps are effective and when they are posted on FEMA's website.
To view Knox County's flood plain maps CLICK HERE and follow the instructions below.
1) Click "I Accept"
2) In the top right of the screen, click the drop down menu where it says "Basic Theme" and change it to say "FEMA DFIRM Flood Areas."
3) Click "Search"
4) Choose your search option.
5) Use the software tool to refine your search.
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