Clay County Residents Face Potential flood Insurance Changes as FEMA Updates Maps
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – Hundreds of Clay County property owners could soon be required to purchase flood insurance due to updated flood zone maps released by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The agency held an open house this week to address resident questions regarding the proposed changes.
The last comprehensive update to Clay County’s flood zone maps occurred over a decade ago. The revisions, slated to take effect in spring 2027, reflect current flood risk data and may require some homeowners and businesses previously outside of high-risk zones to now obtain coverage.
Clay County officials say the rezoning will impact numerous residents and commercial properties, including those along Dowitcher Lane. While some properties will be newly designated as being in a flood zone, others may see changes to their existing designation.
“We do live in Florida and everything, you never know what may happen,” said Jerry Smith, a clay County resident of Dowitcher Lane whose property is being rezoned but will not require him to obtain flood insurance. “Just a couple of weeks ago, when we had rain right here, there was flooding.” Smith has chosen to maintain his flood insurance despite the change.
Residents can determine if their property is affected by visiting the Clay County Flood Zone Map website: https://public.claycountygov.com/floodzone/.
