HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Flood zones are changing in Hillsborough County and tens of thousands of homeowners could be affected financially. 

According to the Hillsborough County website, the current flood maps are based on obsolete data and technology more than 30-years-old.  They said the 2007 county wide flood map update did not include an updated analysis of the coastal flood risk and does not reflect new development or changes in shoreline.

REVISED MAPS BETTER REFLECT RISKS

This map revision more accurately reflects today's flood risks, which will:

  • Provide property owners along the coast of Hillsborough County with up-to-date, reliable, Internet-accessible information about their risk of storm surge-driven coastal flooding
  • Help residents and business owners make more informed decisions about protecting their property and financial stability
  • Allow community planners, local officials, engineers, builders, and others to make important determinations about where and how new structures and developments should be built

WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Expect changes to loan requirements and flood insurance costs in areas where updates occur. Some residents and business owners will find that their flood risk has increased, while others it may actually have been reduced. The National Flood Insurance Program has insurance cost-saving rating options to help reduce financial impacts.
  • Revised flood maps will guide Hillsborough County's planning decisions and development requirements resulting in a more resilient county.
  • New Flood Insurance Rate Maps become effective in 2020, though the County will keep the public and stakeholders informed throughout process.