Borderland Residents Upset With New Flood Map Impact

EL PASO, TX. – Borderland residents are not taking well to the new flood zone maps issued by the federal government.

Even afterWednesday night’s presentation, upset residents crowded into city hall, looking for answers. City and federal officials explained to them the new flood zoning maps. It is that information that will set the rate of flood insurance.

Now, an estimated 50,000 homeowners will have to buy the protection, up from about 23,000. A good number of residents say the new maps just aren’t accurate.

“We’re all at the same level and most of the homes out there were not flooded last year and haven’t been floodedfor years,” says Mary Frances Kiesling, a resident who finds her home now falls within FEMA’s flood zoning maps. “There are worse things than having flood insurance. Like having a flood without the insurance,” says Alan Shubert, of theCity’s Building & Inspections Division.