New maps show Charlotte County over a foot lower, greater flood risks

New flood maps show Charlotte County’s elevation is more than a foot lower than it has been in the past. That means hundreds, if not thousands, more homeowners will have to pay for flood insurance.

An entire strip of US-41 surrounding Charlotte County neighborhoods will be considered part of a flood zone in six months.

Joseph Vasile has called the area home for 28 years. He says, flood zone or no flood zone, the water is going to rise.

“My house to the street collapsed, and it flooded my whole house,” Vasile said. “So I had to take up the tile in the kitchen that all floated.”

FEMA says 20% of all storm-related claims come from people who don’t live in high-risk flood zones.