Berrien County FEMA Preliminary August 30, 2024 Floodplain Maps and Flood Insurance Study Project

FEMA Activities

August 30, 2024 FEMA presented to the City of St. Joseph the Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) and the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) for Berrien County dated of August 30, 2024.  

The updated maps for Berrien County highlight several streams and flooding sources, including McCoy Creek, Paw Paw River, St. Joseph River, Hickory Creek, Granger Drain, Goodrow Drain, both branches of Glenlord Road Drain, Parker/Richardson Drain, West Tributary St. Joseph River, and Yellow Creek. These updates span 34 Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) panels and cover 29 communities, including 7 charter townships, 11 townships, 6 cities, and 5 villages.

November 14, 2024.  FEMA hosted an Open House on November 14, 2024 at the Benton Harbor Public Library, 213 E. Wall Street, Benton Harbor, MI 49022 from 4 to 6 pm. 

May 22, 2025. The Mayor and staff receive written notice the 90-day appeal period will begin after legal notice is completed in the Herald Palladium on May 30^th and on or around June 6^th.  The FEMA letter explains the type of information required to make an appeal. 

Any appeal information from a property owner must be forwarded to the City of St. Joseph - Community Development Director who is required to pass along to FEMA before the end of the 90-day appeal period.  Based on the second legal notice appearing on June 6, 2025 the 90 period would end the week of August 31^st.  In order for city staff to present the information to FEMA as required, staff requests all written appeal comments and supplemental research materials be received no later than Monday, August 25, 2025. 

View the August 30, 2024 FEMA Preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map or the Flood Insurance Study 

Utilize the Flood Map Changes Viewer to compare the existing FIRM with the August 30, 2024 Preliminary FIRM.  Below is the "How to FEMA's Flood Map Changes View" handout to help assist with the on-line tool.