How the FEMA Maps Changed

    In 2012, Central citizen Kathi Cowen, with professional experience in floodplain management, saw that the flood maps for an area of Central seemed to be off.  She investigated, confirmed her suspicions, and contacted the City Council.  Council Member Aaron Moak stepped up and ran with the project.
    Moak met with resistance from three of the five Council Members, but eventually obtained the $35,000 funding for the study.  For three years, until his termination by Mayor Shelton, Central CAO David Barrow worked with FEMA and the engineer hired by Central to work through the detailed processes required by FEMA.  Seven months ago, Jason Ellis, outside of his official duties as a Council Member, stepped up to oversee the FEMA approval process.
    Moak, Cowen, and Ellis were recognized at Tuesday’s council meeting, and Cowen gave a huge thanks to drainage engineer George Hudson for his work on this project.