On August 16, 2013, FEMA issued a preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), describing changes to designated flood elevations along waterways in Newaygo County. Primarily, this information is for riparian property owners along the Muskegon River. Changes in the map may affect property owners in terms of whether flood insurance is needed. FEMA accepted public comments on the map through September 16, 2013. A public meeting was held on October 1.

The documents available below will help you understand if you are affected by these changes, as well as provide information about the final map adoption process, how to comment on the FIRM and contact information for the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, which is the State of Michigan contact for FEMA flood insurance matters. The large scale flood elevation maps are available for viewing in the Brooks Township Offices, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., through October 15, 2013. Click on the documents below to view or download.

• BROOKS TOWNSHIP FLOOD INFORMATION
  PRELIMINARY FLOOD INSURANCE STUDY FOR NEWAYGO 
• COUNTY/BROOKS TOWNSHIP
  
• ARTICLE ON THE FIRM ADOPTION PROCESS

On July 6, 2012 Congress enacted the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reform Act of 2012. It is often referred to as the Biggert-Waters or BW-12. This Act requires that changes to the NFIP must be made. One of the changes is the elimination of flood insurance subsidies, which will result in higher costs for most policy holders. Some increases may be significant. The two links below provide information on how policy holders can save on flood insurance costs.

• www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart 
  

• www.mi.gov/floodplainmanagement