Collier flood maps revised

NAPLES — The federal government removed thousands of properties in Collier County from newly revised federal flood maps, saving property owners from costly insurance and property devaluation.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency and Collier County officials estimated that 10,000 properties in unincorporated areas of the county and 20 properties in Naples have been removed from the newly redrawn flood-zone maps that became effective May 16.

Owners of properties that were previously not in the flood zones but now are part of the revised maps may be required to have flood insurance if there's a mortgage on the property. In addition, property values decline because of the restrictions on rebuilding in flood zones.

Click here to read a recent story about Josh Evans, an entrepreneur and engineer who forecast flood-map problems in Collier County.