CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) The Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission (Northwest Commission) has partnered with Cranberry Township in Venango County to provide flood mitigation information to Cranberry Township and Venango County homeowners located in the flood plain.

The program hopes to educate landowners and offer tips to help reduce the rising costs of flood insurance.

Major changes to flood insurance premiums will be taking effect under the Biggert-Waters Act. Flood insurance will no longer be subsidized by the federal government and rates will become actuarial over a 30-year period, seeing an expected 300-500 percent increase.

“The purpose of this project is to educate the community on the rising insurance premiums and the measures they can take to help offset some of those costs,” Project Specialist Travis Siegel said.

The program began with roughly 150 surveys being sent out to residents located in the Cranberry Township flood plain.

Surveys were collected and the results are currently being analyzed. The results will be announced at a public meeting on May 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Seneca Volunteer Fire Hall in Seneca where attendees will learn different ways to mitigate the rising costs.

Other topics to be covered at the public meeting include Elevation Certificates, Acquisition/Demolition, Elevation, Flood Proofing, Relocation, and Basement Infill.

This meeting is free and the public is encouraged to attend.