The Federal Emergency Management Agency has proposed updates to the flood insurance rate maps along the Elk River in Kanawha County and the town of Clendenin.

Residents are being encouraged to participate in a 90-day appeal and comment period, which begins May 20, according to a news release from the federal agency.

The preliminary maps may be viewed online at the FEMA flood map changes viewer: http://msc.fema.gov/fmcv. Changes from the current maps may be viewed online at the Region 3 changes since last FIRM viewer: https://arcg.is/1GrCKv.

FEMA said flood maps are routinely updated to more accurately represent flood risk. Updates were made in response to extensive flooding seen in West Virginia in June 2016.

Appeals and comments can be submitted for Kanawha County to Bruce White, floodplain manager, at brucewhite@kanawha.us and for the town of Clendenin to John Shelton, floodplain manager, at johnsheltonjr851@gmail.com

For more information about the flood maps, you can use a live chat service at http://go.usa.gov/r6C (click on the Live Chat icon) or contact a FEMA map specialist by telephone toll free at http://go.usa.gov/r6C

The federal agency said most homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover flooding. More about flood insurance options can be obtained by talking to your local insurance agent or visiting https://www.floodsmart.gov