If you live along Haw Creek, the Columbus-Bartholomew County Planning Department has some information you’ll want to know about. Emilie Pinkston, senior planner, says that FEMA has issued preliminary flood plain maps that will change the flood plain boundaries and the base flood elevations along Haw Creek in Columbus and Bartholomew County.

Pinkston explains that these maps are used to determine flood insurance rates and help local communities enforce construction regulations in flood prone areas. Officials say that Flood Insurance Rate Maps and a Flood Insurance Study also includes base elevations for Haw Creek, which indicate the elevation that floodwaters are expected to rise during a 100-year flood. Pinkston says that these preliminary maps, which take the place of previous ones issued in December of 2014, can be viewed online at floodmaps.in.gov or msc.fema.gov.

An open house with these updated maps is set for Tuesday, Jan. 30 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Donner Center. Pinkston says that officials from the planning department and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources will be on hand to answer any questions.