By Georgia Watch Deputy Director Danny Orrock
The flooded streets and damaged homes resulting from this week’s storms should serve as a wake-up call to Georgia.

Development often alters hydrology and may bring new areas into the flood plain — areas previously considered dry. At any given moment the flood plain maps for our communities may become obsolete due to new construction.

And even when the map is changed, there is no guarantee that affected homeowners will know that their property is suddenly at risk of flooding since there are no notification requirements.

One solution to this problem is House Bill 169, sponsored by Rep. Buddy Carter, R-Pooler. This legislation would require the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to notify property owners whose land is affected by changes to the flood plain map.

If the legislature can pass HB 169 then Georgia’s homeowners will have the benefit of the most up-to-date information on flooding risks in their area.

This is imperative when deciding whether to purchase flood insurance.

DANNY ORROCK, Deputy Director, Georgia Watch
Check out the article in the Rome News Tribune.