California Surveyors Forums

Thanks for sharing Mike. Are we aware of any mapping disasters out here in CA?

FEMA has nothing on this. Surveyors matter.

http://gizmodo.com/china-accidentally-b ... 1442963266

Hi Clark,

Yes, there are a lot of problems here in California. I finished the second part of this article set last night and we are working on the graphics. As an example, take a look at the attached. The GIS geniuses at FEMA misplotted the flood plain by about 100 feet too far north. I think they georeferenced the images to some parked cars or som old trash barrels. They are now asking all of these high and dry bluff top property owners to pay $7000 a year for flood insurance! Myself and another surveyor have gone back and forth with FEMA over this to no avail. They won't return calls or respond to emails. I met with the city of San Diego engineering department and they acknowledged the errors and then told me my client had to pay to fix the maps which FEMA will not do. What is aggravating is the city contributed financially to the updates and approved these maps. If you want to have some fun, look at the FIRMs for your neighborhood. They have a Google Earth program. From my perspective, it is a toss up between looking at the FIRMs or watching reruns of the Three Stooges. Check out these poor folks: http://www.today.com/news/faulty-fema-m ... 6C10974730

BTW, The FBI is apparently investigating some of these here in California.

Clark. Over the last two years I have suggested that CLSA look into this and to consider issuing a press release about the problem to alert consumers and to take a lead in trying to get these maps corrected. I thought it was a great Public Relations opportunity to do the right thing and to stand up for consumers. No one at CLSA wants to touch it or do anything; sort of like FEMA. So many people are being hurt. In one case, in a low income neighborhood, the errors are so significant, FEMA and the city said the only way they will look at correcting things is if the property owner(s) conduct a new hydrology study, estimated at $40 to 50K for this section. For many of these folks, that is one year's income. Consequently they are paying exorbitant premiums as they can't afford to do the studies. The city said it is the property owner's problem and they (the city) will not help them!

Typical govt. Get involved, screw it up to where the public is left holding the bag, then walk away. Lack of accountability in govt is why I advocate defunding govt.
I won't get into the issues I have with the Post Office, esp the one in Adelanto, I think they actually throw mail away.