The Federal Emergency Management Agency has released preliminary flood hazard maps that show areas in Benicia and other places in Solano County that may be vulnerable to coastal flooding, Public Works Director Graham Wadsworth announced.

The maps are posted on the city website, www.ci.benicia.ca.us, under the yellow “Flood Maps” tab on the left side of the home page.

They also can be viewed on the FEMA website, https://msc.fema.gov/.

Those with questions may call the city at 707-746-4240. Those who have property in the affected areas will receive a letter, sent to the current owner of record, Wadsworth said.

In addition, affected property owners and others interested in the maps may attend an open house meeting July 8 from 6-8 p.m. at the Liberty High School gymnasium, 350 East K St. FEMA and city employees will provide information about the maps and their impact, and will answer questions.

The maps are known as the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and have been issued after flood hazards were identified through the San Francisco Bay Area Coastal Study.

They have yet to be adopted. In the meantime, the public will have 90 days to review and appeal the findings. The FIRMs may become effective in the summer of 2016, Wadsworth said.

“Flood hazard maps indicate whether properties are in areas of high, moderate or low flood risk,” he said.

“In reviewing the preliminary maps, which are not yet adopted, many property owners may find that their risk is higher or lower than the current maps indicate.

“While the preliminary flood maps provide improved accuracy about flood risks based upon past data and modeling for future flood events, they do not project or account for potential impacts associated with climate change and sea level rise,” he said.

Wadsworth said flooding is the most common disaster in the country, and noted that those who own property in a designated high-risk flood zone must have flood insurance if they have a mortgage that is secured by loans from federally regulated or insured lenders.

In addition, those who own or rent property or who have businesses are being asked to look at the preliminary FIRMs to become aware of flood risks in their area, he said.

The maps can help people and business owners make informed decisions about both flood insurance options and flood protection measures they might take, he said.

The preliminary flood maps can be examined firsthand in the Community Development and Public Works Departments at City Hall, 250 East L St. That department is open from 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

Copies of the maps also are available for viewing at Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St., which is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays and noon to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.

Since the new maps aren’t yet adopted, Wadsworth said, Benicia officials are recommending residents and business owners examine the preliminary documents so any concerns or questions they have can be addressed.

The formal public comment period starts Wednesday, he said, allowing property owners to submit comments and appeals to FEMA about the maps’ accuracy.

Once the comment period concludes, FEMA employees will prepare final maps based on those comments and questions, and expect to release the completed documents in about a year, Wadsworth said.

After the new maps are adopted, new insurance and floodplain management requirements will take effect, he said.

Those interested in contacting FEMA may visit its website http://www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodhazarddata, call 877-FEMA-MAP (877-336-2627) or email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.