By John Howell Sr.

Officials representing the Mississippi Flood Map Modernization Initiative Team will host a Flood Risk Open House Wednesday, Dec. 1, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Panola County EMA building (the old Sardis National Guard Armory).

“We have done some initial surveying and given the data to FEMA,” city engineer Blake Mendrop said.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is adopting new flood maps for each county in the state. Panola County’s new map designates as flood plain large areas of Batesville that were not formerly affected.

Batesville city officials are scrambling to gather engineering and elevation data that is more current or relevant than the FEMA data used to create the new maps.

Mendrop told Batesville’s mayor and aldermen  at their October 5 meeting, “They’re (the new flood maps) are going to be like this until you prove them different.” Mendrop has since met with the elected officials to help gather information to present to FEMA in hope that much of the affected area may be removed from flood plain.

Determination that property lies in a flood plain can adversely impact its value, bringing with it requirements by commercial and mortgage lenders for the purchase of flood insurance.

City officials have urged that property owners check to see if their property lies in the proposed flood plain area and to attend the Dec. 1 meeting.

Mendrop said that following the meeting the city and property owners would have another three or four months to provide information before the new map moves toward final adoption.