Alachua County residents are invited to attend any of the three upcoming public information meetings about proposed updates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for the Waccasassa Basin and surrounding areas.
FEMA has opened a 90-day public comment period to inform the public about the changes, which runs through Oct. 1, 2025. The public will have a chance to have input before these maps are adopted.
Mortgage lenders and insurance agents use FIRMs to assess flood risk and determine flood insurance rates. Periodically, the Department of Homeland Security provides funding to FEMA to update these maps and conduct new detailed flood studies.
New FIRMs include areas in Alachua County that cover much of the southwestern portion of the county, which may impact residents in Newberry, Archer, and other nearby communities.
Three public information meetings are currently scheduled:
- Monday, Aug. 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alachua County Public Works (5620 NW 120th Lane, Gainesville).
- Monday, Aug. 25, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Easton-Newberry Archery Center (24880 NW 16th Ave., Newberry).
- Monday, Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Alachua County Public Works (5620 NW 120th Lane, Gainesville).
To locate your property on the proposed maps, visit the Suwannee River Water Management District’s online map viewer.
If residents see that there is a proposed change to their property or are in the red-highlighted area, they are encouraged to attend the upcoming meetings where they can learn more about the proposed changes, view the draft maps, and learn how to submit comments during the review period. If you have any questions or confusion, please get in touch with your homeowners’ insurance agent.
The adoption of the updated FIRMs for the Waccasassa Basin is expected in summer 2026. Until then, the current maps (FEMA’s Map Services Center) dated Sept. 21, 2021, remain in effect. Property owners are encouraged to maintain up-to-date flood insurance coverage based on the existing FIRMs.
For questions or assistance with submitting a comment, contact Alachua County Public Works Engineering Tech Taurol Holmes at 352-374-5245, ext. 1303, or tholmes@alachuacounty.us.