Visalia homeowners who buy flood insurance can look forward to lower premiums if the city gets lucky with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
It wouldn't be a huge cut -- 5% or 10%.But with flood insurance rising in June to $849 a year for a $250,000 home, every little bit helps. FEMA, which sets flood insurance rates, has a discount program for homeowners in communities that show they're flood-ready.Visalia city engineer Chris Young seemed confident that Visalia would qualify for a 5% discount, and probably 10%. The city will submit an application.Under the new flood maps, about 8,900 parcels in Visalia were moved into high-risk flood zones. The silver lining is that 7,900 parcels were moved out of the flood zone, meaning the affected homeowners and businesses don't have to buy insurance anymore.But to the dismay of local officials, the maps assume that levees on the St. Johns River, where water would flow in a deluge, would break.The levees are not certified as flood-worthy. The city might hire an engineering company to see whether anything can be done, such as building a structure that would protect the city. Seven companies have expressed interest.Meanwhile, a subcommittee of engineers and surveyors is reviewing some of the 90 gigabytes of data used to draw the flood maps. The full committee, sanctioned by the city, meets Thursday.FLU SHOTS: Tulare County residents who want a free flu shot don't even have to get out of their cars. The Health Department is having its third annual drive-through seasonal flu clinic for residents 18 and older.Three clinics will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Drive-through clinics will be at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia and the Jamison Stadium parking lot at Porterville College.Drive up, answer a few questions, sign papers, wait to be directed to a lane, put your arm out the window, get a flu shot and drive off.Flu shots will also be given at the International Agri-Center Heritage Complex in Tulare, but participants must come inside.RIDE FOR A CAUSE: Bicycling enthusiast Mark Wall of Visalia will ride in the Arthritis Foundation's 2009 California Coast Classic bike tour starting next weekend.Two years ago, Wall did the ride and raised $4,000. At first, he did it for the fun, but made friends with a family whose 10-year-old has arthritis.The eight-day, 525-mile ride starts Saturday in San Francisco and ends Oct. 8 in Santa Monica.