WASHINGTON – The Government Accountability Office is going to begin a study into FEMA’s methodology and policies for upgrading their flood maps and designating new flood zones.

Port Jervis and Middletown are among the communities that have experienced problems with the new FEMA flood maps.

After reported discrepancies about flood maps, Senators Charles Schumer and Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico wrote to the agency urging it to initiative an investigation to save homeowners from costly, mandatory and unnecessary flood insurance fees.

“New York homeowners and businesses have been saddled with mandatory, onerous flood insurance fees as a result of these often-severely flawed flood maps,” said Schumer. “With GOA’s commitment to examine FEMA’s methodologies and policies, we are one step closer to creating safer, more accurate flood zones and putting an end to these faulty maps that force residents and businesses across New York State and the country to pay costly, unnecessary insurance fees.”