THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, JULY 23, 2008

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Will Residents Avoid Flood Insurance?

Approximately 30 Des Plaines homeowners whose property has been added to the recently revised federal government flood plain map will meet with city officials tonight (Wednesday) to discuss whether anything can be done to avoid having to be forced to pay for flood insurance.

Ald. Mark Walsten (6th), called for the meeting that will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the Des Plaines Park District's Administrative & Leisure Center, 2222 Birch St. Walsten represents that area of the city where most of the affected homeowners reside. That area is located west of River Road and north of Touhy Avenue in the vicinity of Fargo and Welwyn avenues.

Walsten said he hopes to persuade the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to amend the map to remove the 30 homeowners from being located within a floodplain. That designation requires property owners to purchase flood insurance that could cost as much as several thousands dollars extra a year. Before the new map, those homes were not in the floodplain.

Besides Ald. Walsten, City Manager Jason Bajor and City Engineer Tim Oakley will attend the meeting.