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Homes Mapped Into And Out Of Floodplains

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT — Lycoming County recently released its updated preliminary flood maps. Now some homeowners may be required to pay for flood insurance....
lyc flood map

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT -- Lycoming County recently released its updated preliminary flood maps. Now some homeowners may be required to pay for flood insurance.

Kim Boyd lives on Main Street in South Williamsport, less than a mile from the Susquehanna River. Because her home is in a flood hazard area on Lycoming County's flood maps, Boyd pays about $900 a year for the flood insurance she's required to have.

"It's such a hassle to have to keep up with that and there's been no flooding here," said Boyd.

But soon, Boyd should be able to stop paying for flood insurance. Lycoming County is updating its 10-year-old flood maps. Boyd's home is one of those being mapped out of a flood hazard area.

"I'm ready to stop paying that money for flood insurance," she said.

While there are homeowners in South Williamsport who are excited about getting out of the floodplain, some folks in Muncy Creek Township are concerned now that they will be required to pay for insurance beginning in 2015.

"If there are some that have been in the floodplain and they get out of it, that's nice for them. It cuts them a break. I understand that and I can appreciate that. For those of us that haven't been in the floodplain and now you change us? Really?" asked Robin Smith.

Smith's home is a few miles from Muncy Creek. She's not in a flood hazard area now but when the new maps take effect one year from now, she will be.

"I understand what they are trying to do. I don't think it's right. I don't think they are looking at everything they should," Smith said.

"If you are newly mapped in, you get the opportunity to get flood insurance at the zone that you were before the map came out," explained deputy director of planning Fran McJunkin.

Lycoming County's planning department says the revised flood maps are more accurate in terms of elevation, so areas most at risk of flooding are better identified.

Overall the county says more homes will be moved out of a floodplain than are moved in.

Click here for the revised map information.

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