Davis Bill for Localities to Notify Homeowners, Businesses of Changes to FEMA Flood Maps Moves Forward

Recently a bill authored by State Representative Tina Davis  was passed out of the Local Government Committee.

The bill would require municipalities to contact land and property owners of changes to special flood area hazard maps which are usually updated every 10 years based upon information from FEMA.

After a devastating 2021 where multiple severe storms in our hometown caused flooding throughout lower Bucks County, this bill is a measure that addresses the changing landscape in neighborhoods and communities. The notification would help clarify restrictions on how landowners can build additions or new buildings if a flood plain has changed, Davis said.

It was heartbreaking to see what happened in Lower Bucks last summer. Hundreds of people lost access to their homes and several business owners needed to close their doors to recover from these floods. This bill would place updated and valuable information on flood plain status changes in the hands of property owners to properly prepare and have plans in place for potential flooding,” she said.

Davis who lives in Croydon saw the devastation brought on by the floods up close and personal.

HB 1462 advanced out of committee last month, and now moves to the House for consideration.