The Lake Station City Council has unanimously adopted a new floodplain map just ahead of the Jan. 26 federal deadline.
The ordinance allows residents who live in flood-prone areas to obtain federal flood insurance at a much lower premium than private flood insurance, said city attorney Michael Deppe who urged the council to suspend its rules and adopt the ordinance.
In recent years, Lake Station residents who live near Deep River have suffered devastating flood damage.
“Federally funded insurance is a fraction of private flood insurance,” said Deppe. “This all can adversely affect our tax base and general welfare.”
Mayor Bill Carroll also alerted the council of the significance of the ordinance.
“Without this federal insurance coverage, Lake Station property owners are vulnerable to exorbitant private flood insurance that precludes affordable priced housing, creating an overwhelming financial burden on citizens,” he said.
Carroll said the ordinance dictates the federal and state rules for the city if it constructs a flood project in the floodplain.
“This ordinance protects property owners by giving access to flood insurance and allows the city to do those flood projects that protects them,” he said.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
