SIMI VALLEY : Revised Flood Zone Map to Be Protested

Simi Valley officials will be in Washington this morning to protest a proposed revision in the city’s flood zone map that could result in thousands of homeowners and businesses having to buy extra insurance.

The present flood map, prepared by the federal government in 1974, designates about 5% of the city as flood-prone. The revised map shows about 15% of the Simi Valley basin to be in flood danger.

Assistant City Manager Mike Sedell was scheduled to meet this morning with officials of the Federal Emergency Management Agency to discuss the city’s position.

Mayor Greg Stratton said he hoped to journey to Washington but was unsure late Tuesday if he would be able to because of business commitments.

“We believe the agency made a mistake” in preparing the revised map, Stratton said. “We think the map is flawed, that they overstated the problem.”

The areas designated as vulnerable to flooding in the federal map are at risk in a 100-year flood, or a flood that is expected only once every 100 years.

FEMA officials said Simi Valley is one of the last cities in California to have its flood map updated. FEMA is required by law to adopt a new map for the city by Oct. 1.

Once this is done, the map will be used by banks and other lending institutions to determine who must purchase flood insurance and what rates may be charged.

Additional flood insurance could cost as much as $500 a year, according to several insurance companies.