Flood Risk Mapping ProjectEditorial Board Meeting

[COMMUNITY NAME]

Risk MAP Overview

• Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning• FEMA’s nationwide effort to provide updated flood

risk information and tools to communities• Communities use this information to enhance local

mitigation plans and better protect citizens from flooding

– Strengthens ability to make informed decisions about reducing flood risk

– Enhances ability to communicate flood risk and flood insurance needs to residents and business owners

National Flood Insurance Program

• Established in 1968 by Congress• Basic components:

– Identifies and maps flood-prone communities– Requires that communities adopt and enforce

floodplain management regulations – Makes flood insurance available

• More than 22,000 participating communities nationwide*

• More than 5.3 million policyholders nationwide*

*As of March 2015

Flood Risks Have Changed

• Last mapping was completed in [year]• This study integrates most current [rainfall,

elevation, hydrology, etc.] data with latest digital modeling and mapping technologies to produce more detailed, reliable [Internet accessible, if applicable] data

• Significant changes due to [insert factors; e.g., new construction]

[Community name] Flood Facts

• Joined National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) [month, year]

– Joined NFIP’s Community Rating System (CRS) in [date, if applicable]

– Policyholders now receive up to [#] percent in premium discount due to [county’s] additional efforts

• More than [total # of properties] properties insured• Nearly [total $ amount] of property covered• More than [total $ amount] in losses paid by the

NFIP

[insert local flood facts below]

[Community name] Floodplains

• County’s flooding occurs not only along the coast, but in riverine and inland areas too

• County’s 17 watersheds are complex; 300 additional stream miles included

• Entire county remapped, except for coastal and incorporated areas

• Flood risk can vary from neighborhood to neighborhood, property to property

[insert local floodplain information—example below]

Estimated Impact

• [total #] parcels now at lower risk (out of high-risk area)

• [total #] parcels now at higher risk (in high-risk area)

• [total #] parcels remain in high-risk area

• [total #] parcels remain in moderate- to low-risk areas

[Example New DFIRM or Changes SinceLast Map Tool]

How Changes Affect Insurance

If Maps Show… These Requirements, Options, and Savings Apply

Change from Moderate to Low Risk (e.g., Zones B, C, or X) to High Risk (e.g., Zones A, AE, AH, AO, V, or VE)

Flood insurance is mandatory. Flood insurance will be required if you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender.

Rating options can offer savings. When updated maps show a building now falls in a high-risk area, the policyholder might initially be eligible for a lower-cost rate during the first 12 months following a map change. Premiums will then increase up to 18 percent each year as part of the premium rate revisions put in place by the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014. Purchasing a policy before the new map goes into effect will maximize your savings. Your insurance agent can provide more details on how to save. A policy can be assigned to new owners, allowing them to keep the lower rate.

Change from High-Risk Zones A or AE to Higher-Risk Zones V or VE, or Increase in BFE

Grandfathering can offer savings. The NFIP grandfathering option allows policyholders who have built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction to keep their previous zone or Base Flood Elevation to calculate their insurance premium. This could result in significant savings. A grandfather-rated policy can be assigned to new owners. In most cases, your insurance agent will ask you to provide an Elevation Certificate.

Change from High Risk (e.g., Zones AE or VE) to Moderate to Low Risk (e.g., Zones X or shaded X)

Flood insurance is optional but recommended. The risk has been reduced, but not removed. Flood insurance can still be purchased and maintained at lower cost. More than 20 percent or about one in five NFIP claims come from areas mapped outside of high-risk flood areas.

Conversion offers savings. An existing policy can be converted to a lower-cost PRP easily if the building qualifies. Note that lenders always have the option to require flood insurance in these areas.

No Change in Risk Level

No change in insurance rates. Still, this is a good time to talk with your insurance agent to learn your specific risk and make sure you have enough flood insurance coverage.

Timeline

Milestones• Official Presentation of Preliminary Maps—[date]

– Media briefing is held

• Public Outreach [month–month]– [Digital maps go up on website]– [Affected residents mailed letters] – [Two public meetings; nearby public libraries set up to answer

questions]

• 90-Day Public Comment Period– Begins [date] – Ends [date]

• Letter of Final Determination Issued—[season, year]• Maps Become Effective (anticipated)—[season, year]

– New flood insurance requirements become effective

Advice to Property Owners

• Flooding occurs within and outside of high-risk areas

• Know and understand your flood risk• Contact your insurance agent to learn your options• Visit [enter website address] to learn specific

information about possible changes to your property

• Attend [identify meetings/information sessions; e.g., Public Meetings and Library Open Houses] to ask questions

Increasing Public Awareness

• Launched Countywide Outreach and Education Effort– Active participation of stakeholder advisory group– Hosting public meetings– Conducting informational mailing– Developed multiple information/assistance resources– Created public service announcements– Engaging news media

[Describe what is being done to inform the public—example below]

Public Information Resources

• [enter local/county website address] • [Call Center; phone number]

– [hours of operation]– [its purpose; e.g., general information]

• FEMA.gov/national-flood-insurance-program-flood-hazard-mapping (FEMA mapping site)

• FloodSmart.gov (flood insurance information; find an agent)

• FEMA Map Information EXchange (FMIX) 1-877-FEMA-MAP

– Specific mapping questions

Summary

• New flood hazard maps = safer [Community name] • Current flood risk data allows for more informed

decisions • Undertaking a collaborative approach to educate

the public• Proactive outreach means the public will know

where to go for more information and will know their flood insurance and risk-reduction options