Flood Zone: Complete Coverage

Since last fall, SoCal Connected has been investigating a revised flood map project instituted by FEMA.

The agency's actions meant homeowners throughout Southern California, and the entire nation, suddenly found their neighborhoods designated as flood zones. That meant they needed to purchase flood insurance, at a cost of hundreds and even thousands of dollars per year.

Our investigation showed that FEMA's maps were based on often flawed data, and since we began airing a series of stories, the agency has backed off, removing flood zone designations for some areas, including two we reported on - in South LA, and in Ventura County.

Here's a reference to our reporting on this story, presented in chronological order:

Hung Out to Dry
Long-time residents say there's never been any standing water, but some homeowners in South Los Angeles are paying thousands for flood insurance. Find out why in a special SoCal Connected investigation.

Hung Out To Dry: The Documents
If you like being a nosy reporter yourself, do the legwork. Check out these primary sources used to produce our segment "Hung Out To Dry?"

Update: Ventura Country
Residents of Ventura County also face steep insurance rates due to changes in flood maps prepared by FEMA.

Am I In A Flood Zone?
Check out this interactive map, and then visit Floodsmart.gov to get your flood risk profile. (Requires Google Earth.)

Hung Out To Dry: Victory In Ventura
Our investigation pays off for some Ventura County residents. After we found some holes in FEMA's plan to declare some neighborhoods as flood zones—and require the residents to pay big insurance premiums—FEMA backed down and now says it will revisit its decision.

FEMA Backs Down in South LA
Following SoCal's coverage, hundreds more homes the agency at first put in high-risk flood zones are suddenly safe.