An open house to discuss the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s new Bryan County flood maps will be held Monday.

The open house is scheduled for 5-7:30 p.m. at the John W. Stevens Wetlands Education Center, 240 Cedar St., Richmond Hill.

Residents and business owners are invited to attend to learn how and why the local risk of flooding has changes, how the proposed new flood maps will be used and what they can do to protect themselves from flood damage, according to a letter signed by Tom Shillock, the state floodplain management coordinator for the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and Robert E. Lowe, chief of FEMA Region IV’s Risk Analysis Branch.

The letter explains that the open house will include community officials, FEMA representatives, the engineering study contractor and insurance representatives, who will be available to answer questions about flood risk changes and the proposed new flood maps.

"They will also help residents and businesses determine if their property may be subject to any related insurance requirements and explain how property owners affected by the change may be able to reduce future insurance costs," the letter says.

There will be no formal presentations, just informal conversations with the materials available for the public to view.

After the open house, the preliminary maps will be subject to a 90-day period for review, appeals and comments.