Question for environmental consultants . . .

[fleur-de-lisa]

Does anyone know what's going on with the FEMA online mapping system?

I need to consult them quite often for work. Since Hurrican Harvey, my coworkers and I can't access them, directly on the FEMA website or through NEPAssist.

We have been speculating that FEMA is updating the maps or citizens are overwhelming the site while checking the status of their property.

I have asked some of the environmental consultants we sometimes work with and no one knows what's going on. Anybody got a clue?

[genxlib]

1. Civil Engineer here

Use it fairly often. It does seem to have been quirky this week

I just tried it on my house since I am in the middle of Irma's cone.

It was sluggish but eventually worked. I just think the servers are overwhelmed.

FEMA is updating the maps systematically over the course of years. The County to the south of me was done a couple of years ago but my County has not been updated yet. Even if Harvey made them panic to do revisions, nothing happens that fast in Government.

And in case you are wondering...I am in Zone C and my house is higher than most on my street. I should be OK against flood but that fucking wind is freaking me out.

[fleur-de-lisa]

2. Thanks for the response.

I have accessed the FEMA and NEPAssist websites and gone for a 15 minute walk . . . when I come back, the maps still aren't working for me or my coworkers.

I understand about the wind. I am in New Orleans . . . been through many hurricanes. I was a kid growing up on the Mississippi coast during Camille.

My house in Louisiana is in Flood Zone AE (yes, I have flood insurance). My house is raised and was one of the few in my neighborhood that didn't flood during Katrina, although about 6 inches of water got in the garage.

Stay safe, my friend! Irma is a monster of a storm.

[genxlib]

3. I was in Miami for Andrew

Weathered the storm far enough away to get nervous but not in danger. But I spent weeks in the badly hit areas on inspections and assessment work. I saw things that I did not believe were possible.

This has the potential to be worse due to wind speed and the populations centers in the possible path.

I think I am making my friends and family nervous. Whatever it takes for people to take it seriously.