The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of validating the draft Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) database for the flood risk project for the City of Three Forks. Completing this draft database is a significant milestone for the flood risk project, as it concludes the collection and analysis of the project's initial engineering data. These data, developed by FEMA's mapping partner, Compass, provide the best available calculation of where water will collect and flow in the event of a flood, based on current conditions.

The engineering data will form the basis for mapping the proposed Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) on the FIRM for our community. An SFHA is an area that is subject to inundation by the 1% annual change flood (also called the base flood). Over time, water flow and drainage patterns in our area may have changed dramatically due to surface erosion, land use, or other forces. These factors may have increased or decreased likelihood of flooding in certain areas, which would result in changing SHFA boundaries and types.

Compass developed draft flood hazard information for the City of Three Forks, along with the draft FIRM database, which is available for review using the Montana Flood Risk Map Viewer linked below. The draft database is available upon request, and if interested in reviewing other contributing data, please submit a request to the FEMA Project Officer Margaret Doherty no later than April 25th, 2025. Margaret.Doherty2@fema.dhs.gov or 303-854-4887.

There will be additional opportunities to comment on and provide feedback about the resulting SFHA delineations and other draft flood hazard information prior to the data's finalization.

FEMA wants to ensure that the most up to date and accurate technical data are used to develop the flood risk products. FEMA relies on your feedback, partnership, and knowledge during this important project to determine the extent of flood risk in our community, and to support our efforts to reduce those risks. FEMA looks forward to working with community officials and other stakeholders to increase flood risk awareness and reduce the risk of life and property from flooding. Initial feedback will not affect the community's ability to provide feedback later, or to formally appeal the flood hazard information during the future appeal period.