New Destin flood map tool gives homeowners early look at possible future flood zones

Destin, Florida – Destin property owners now have a new way to see how their homes and businesses may appear on future flood maps, without losing sight of the rules that apply today.

The City of Destin has received preliminary flood maps and is making them available through its online Forerunner mapping platform, giving residents a chance to compare proposed flood information with the city’s current regulatory maps.

Property owners can access the tool at https://destinfl.withforerunner.com/explore. Once the map opens, users can enter an address in the search box in the upper-left corner. The platform will first display information from the current Effective Flood Insurance Rate Map, or FIRM.

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Viewing the newly released Preliminary FIRM requires a few additional steps. Users should click the four-arrows icon beside the blue “Effective FIRM” bar in the lower-right corner, then click the blue bar again. From the menu that appears, they can select “Flood layers” and switch on the “Preliminary FIRM” option.

With both sets of information available through the same platform, residents can look at their property under the existing map and then compare it with the preliminary version.

The distinction between the two is important.

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The newly available maps are preliminary and have not replaced Destin’s current FEMA flood maps. The Effective FIRM remains the city’s regulatory flood map while the preliminary maps move through FEMA’s review and adoption process. Until that process is complete, the preliminary information does not take the place of the maps currently in force.

City officials are encouraging residents and property owners to spend a few minutes using the online system and become familiar with the preliminary information associated with their addresses.

The early look gives property owners an opportunity to see the proposed mapping information well before any final change takes effect, while the platform’s side-by-side access makes it easier to understand what is current and what remains under review.

Residents with questions about the maps or the process can contact Destin Floodplain Administrator Michael Burgess at 850-837-6869 or [email protected].