Flood Risk Awareness

[Community Name] Flood Risk Mapping Project

Flood Risks Have Changed

• Flooding is a serious and increasingly costly problem in [Community]

• Stormwater flow and drainage patterns have changed over time due to erosion, land-use and natural forces

• [flood fact; e.g. # of floods last year; or how recent statistics show growing numbers of flooded properties in low and moderate risk areas]

• Risks have changed, but our maps have not. Current maps date back to [year]

Collaboration

• [Community] began working with FEMA and its mapping partners in [Date]

• [Community] provided input and data• Meetings included

– Discovery Meeting - DATE– Kick-Off Meeting – DATE– Flood Risk Review Meeting – DATE – Resilience Meeting – DATE– [Consultation Coordination Meeting] [- DATE]

New Maps Are Ready for Release• Preliminary digital flood hazard maps for

[community/watershed] will be issued [date]. • They are the result of a multi-year partnership between

[county/parish], [surrounding communities], FEMA and [name of county/parish/community]

• Many areas previously unstudied now have the flood risk identified.

• This study integrates most current [rainfall, elevation, hydrology, etc.] data with latest digital modeling and mapping technologies to produce more detailed, reliable, Internet accessible data

• The maps now give an up-to-date, complete picture of flood risks for [community].

Better Information = Better Community

• Updated information results in better planning, more informed decisions by– Residents & Business Owners– Builders, Developers, Planners– Realty & Lending Professionals– Insurance Professionals

• Develop better ordinances, zoning and land use policies

• Ultimately, [community] and its citizens become more resilient to flooding

• If have work maps or Changes Since Last FIRM maps to share with stakeholders, put them here.

Changes in Flood Risk Identified

Property Owners may find that their property is• Newly mapped into a high-risk zone (e.g., A, V)• [Mapped into a higher-risk zone (e.g., A to V)]• Mapped into a moderate-low risk zone (e.g., X)• Mapped at a higher Base Flood Elevation (BFE)• Not affected at all

The Flood Insurance ImplicationsIf Maps Show… These Requirements, Options and Savings Apply

Change from moderate or low flood risk to high risk (flood Zone B, C, or X to Zone A, AE, AH, AO, [V or VE])

Flood insurance is mandatory. Flood insurance will be federally required for most mortgage holders. Insurance costs may rise to reflect the true (high) risk. Rating Options can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program has rating options to offer savings and recognize policyholders who built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction or who maintain continuous coverage. Sometimes, though, using the new flood maps can actually result in a lower premium, especially if the home is high enough above the BFE. Talk to your insurance agent to determine the best option for you.

[Change from high-risk Zone A or AE to higher-risk Zone V or VE

An increase in risk can result in higher premiums; however, “grandfathering” can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program grandfathering rules allow policyholders who have built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction to keep their previous Zone A or AE to calculate their insurance rate. This could result in significant savings.]

Change from high flood risk to moderate or low risk (e.g., flood Zone [V, VE,] A, AE, AH, AO, to Zone X or shaded X)

Flood insurance is optional but recommended. The risk has only been reduced, not removed. Flood insurance can still be obtained, and at lower rates. Nearly 25 percent of all flood insurance claims and one-third of flood disaster claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.Conversion offers savings. An existing policy can be easily converted to a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy, if the building qualifies. Note that lenders always have the option to require flood insurance in these areas.

Increase in the Base Flood Elevation (BFE)

An increase in BFE can result in higher premiums; however, “grandfathering” can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program grandfathering rules allow policyholders who built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction to keep the earlier base flood elevation to calculate their insurance rate. This could result in significant savings.

No change in risk level

No change in insurance rates. However, this is a good time to review coverage and ensure building and contents are adequately insured.

From Preliminary to Effective Map Timeline

• Milestones• Official Presentation of Preliminary Maps – [date]

– Media briefing is held • Community Outreach [month- month] [describe below what is

being done; e.g.]– [Digital maps go up on Web site]– [Affected residents mailed letters] – [Public Mtgs – ie: nearby public libraries set up to answer

questions]• 90-day Appeal Period

– Begins [date] – Ends [date]

• Letter of Final Determination Issued – [season; e.g. Spring 2014]• Maps Become Effective – (anticipated) [season; e.g. Fall 2014]

– New flood insurance requirements become effective

Advice to Property Owners

• Everyone is at risk of flooding• Know and understand your flood risk• Contact your insurance agent to learn your options

how to reduce your risk• Visit [enter URL] 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; see the preliminary maps

• All of us will benefit over time with informed development and land use and a more resilient community to live in.

For More Information:Resources• [Local website, call center,

department number/email]

• Mapping portal to view maps: http://maps.riskmap6.com

• FEMA Region 6 Risk MAP Program: www.RiskMAP6.com

• FEMA Flood Hazard Mapping Programwww.fema.gov/hazard/

flood/index.shtm

• For Flood Insurance Information:www.FloodSmart.gov

• For Flood Insurance Information for Agents:www.Agents.FloodSmart.gov

• FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX):http://msc.fema.gov800-FEMA-MAP (336-2627)

QUESTIONS?