FEMA to Host Public Open House

Residents located near the Alligator Creek area of Clearwater may need flood insurance in the future. An open house will be held Thursday, Aug. 21, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Clearwater Fire Training Facility, 1716 N. Belcher Road. No formal presentations will be made at the open house.

Affected residents and businesses should plan to attend the open house to learn how and why flood insurance rate maps will change, how the proposed new flood maps will be used, and steps residents can take to protect themselves from the extensive damage that floods often cause.

Residents can check the new Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) online at https://clearwaterfl.withforerunner.com/ to see if a property’s flood zone or base flood elevation has changed and determine how the property will be impacted. When on the map, find the "Effective FIRM" tab, which is the current map, press and select “Preliminary FIRM,” which is the proposed map. Residents can then toggle between the two maps.

Residents with questions, can call the city of Clearwater Planning & Development Department at (727) 562-4567.