Session No. 32

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**Course Title: Coastal Hazards Management**

**Session Title: FEMA Programs II**

**Author: Anna K. Schwab, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill**

**Time: 50 minutes**

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**Objectives:**

**Objective 32.1** Review provisions of the Disaster Mitigation Act of
2000.

**Objective 32.2** Review provisions of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation
Program.

**Objective 32.3** Review provisions of National Flood Insurance
Program.

**Objective 32.4** Review provisions of the Community Rating System.

Objective 32.5 Review provisions of the Flood Mitigation Assistance
Program

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**Scope:**

Session 32 continues the discussion of major hazard programs carried out
by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This Session covers
the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, the Pre-Disaster Mitigation
Program, the National Flood Insurance Program and Community Rating
System, and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.

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**Readings:**

*Instructor and Student Readings (for Sessions 31 and 32):*

Beatley, Timothy, et al. 2002. *An Introduction to Coastal Zone
Management*. Washington, DC: Island Press, pp. 124-128.

Burby, Raymond J. 2001. "Flood insurance and floodplain management: the
US experience." *Environmental Hazards* 3 (2001) 111-122.

Godschalk, David R. et al. 1999. *Natural Hazard Mitigation: Recasting
Disaster Policy and Planning*. Washington, D.C.: Island Press, chapter
10.

Haddow, George D. and Jane A. Bullock. 2003. *Introduction to Emergency
Management*. New York: Butterworth--Heinmann, chapter 1; pp. 44-46;
68-85; 91-93; 96-103.

The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, PL 106-390

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**General Requirements:**

The session should be presented as lecture, supported by PowerPoint
slides. Class discussion is to be encouraged.

**PowerPoint slides:**

**PowerPoint 32.1** Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2000)

**PowerPoint 32.2** Disaster Mitigation Act Section 322

**PowerPoint 32.3** State Responsibilities to Implement Section 322

**PowerPoint 32.4** Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program

**PowerPoint 32.5** Eligible PDM Projects

## PowerPoint 32.6 PDM Criteria

**PowerPoint 32.7** National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

**PowerPoint 32.8** NFIP Floodplain Ordinance Criteria

**PowerPoint 32.9** NFIP Building Standards

**PowerPoint 32.10** Flood Insurance Study (FIS)

**PowerPoint 32.11** FIRM Terminology

**PowerPoint 32.12** FIRM Zones

**PowerPoint 32.13** Conditions for changing a FIRM

**PowerPoint 32.14** Community Rating System (CRS)

**PowerPoint 32.15** CRS Goals

**PowerPoint 32.16** CRS Public Information Activities

**PowerPoint 32.17** CRS Mapping and Regulatory Activities

**PowerPoint 32.18** CRS Flood Protection Activities

**PowerPoint 32.19** CRS Flood Preparedness Activities

**Objective 31.1** **Review provisions of the Disaster Mitigation Act of
2000.**

**Requirements**:

The content should be presented as lecture, supported by PowerPoint
slides. Class discussion is to be encouraged.

The following PowerPoint slides are to be shown during this session:

**PowerPoint 32.1** Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2000)

**PowerPoint 32.2** Disaster Mitigation Act Section 322

**PowerPoint 32.3** State Responsibilities to Implement Section 322

**Remarks:**

-   On **October 30, 2000**, the President of the United States signed
    into law the Disaster Mitigation Act **(DMA) of 2000** (Public Law
    106-390) to **amend** the Robert T. **Stafford** Disaster Relief and
    Emergency Assistance **Act** of 1988.

-   Of **most significance** to state and local governments are:

    -   **Section 203**: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, and

    -   **Section 322**: Mitigation Planning

> **\[PowerPoint 32.1 Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA2000)\]**

-   This legislation reinforces the importance of **pre-disaster
    mitigation planning** to reduce the Nation's disaster losses, and is
    aimed primarily to **control and streamline** the administration of
    **federal disaster relief** and mitigation programs.

-   As such, this Act

    -   establishes a **pre-disaster mitigation program**

    -   sets new **requirements** for the national post-disaster Hazard
        Mitigation Grant Program **(HMGP),** and

    -   **requires** state and local **mitigation plans** as a
        pre-requisite for certain disaster assistance.

-   DMA2000 is intended to **facilitate cooperation** between state and
    local authorities, prompting them to work together.

    -   It encourages and rewards local and state pre-disaster planning
        and **promotes sustainability** as a strategy for disaster
        resistance.

    -   The enhanced planning network is meant to enable local and state
        governments to **better articulate** accurate **needs for
        mitigation**, resulting in **faster allocation** of funding and
        **more effective** risk reduction projects.

# DMA2000 Section 322

-   **Section 322** of the DMA2000 specifically **addresses mitigation
    planning** at the state and local levels.

> **\[PowerPoint 32.2 Disaster Mitigation Act Section 322\]**

-   States and communities **must have an approved mitigation plan** in
    place prior to receiving post-disaster **HMGP funds**.

    -   To assist and encourage states to prepare mitigation plans,
        Section 322 identifies new requirements that **allow HMGP funds
        to be used for planning** activities, and

    -   Section 322 **increases the amount of HMGP funds** available to
        states that have developed a comprehensive, enhanced
        **mitigation plan prior to a disaster**.

    -   Local and tribal mitigation plans must demonstrate that their
        proposed mitigation measures are **based on a sound planning
        process** that accounts for the risk to and the capabilities of
        individual communities.

> **\[PowerPoint 32.3 State Responsibilities to Implement Section
> 322\]**

-   **State** governments have certain **responsibilities for
    implementing Section 322** of the DMA2000, including:

    -   **Prepare** and **submit a standard or enhanced** state
        mitigation plan;

    -   **Review** and **update the state mitigation plan** every three
        years;

    -   **Provide technical assistance** and **training to local
        governments** to assist them in applying for HMGP grants and in
        developing local mitigation plans; and

    -   **Review** and **approve local plans** if the state is
        designated a *managing state* and has an approved enhanced plan.

**Objective 31.2** **Review provisions of the Pre-Disaster Mitigation
Program**.

**Requirements**:

The content should be presented as lecture, supported by PowerPoint
slides. Class discussion is to be encouraged.

The following PowerPoint slides are to be shown during this session:

**PowerPoint 32.4** Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program

**PowerPoint 32.5** Eligible PDM Projects

## PowerPoint 32.6 PDM Criteria

**Remarks:**

> **\[PowerPoint 32.4** Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program\]

-   **Section 203** of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 establishes
    the National **Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program** (PDM).

-   The PDM Program provides **technical** and **financial assistance**
    to State and local governments to assist in the implementation of
    pre-disaster hazard mitigation measures.

-   PDM Projects are to be **cost-effective** and designed to **reduce
    injuries, loss of life, and damage and destruction of property**,
    including damage to critical services and facilities.

-   Perhaps most notable about the PDM is the fact that it provides
    mitigation funding that is **not dependent on a disaster
    declaration**.

    -   Instead, funding through the PDM is provided in the form of a
        **competitive grant system**.

    -   PDM can provide funding for hazard mitigation activities
        (including planning) that complement a comprehensive mitigation
        program ***before a disaster strikes***.

    -   PDM-funded multi-hazard mitigation projects **must primarily
        focus on natural hazard,** but may also address hazards caused
        by non-natural forces.

-   The following are **eligible mitigation projects** under the PDM:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.5** **Eligible PDM Projects\]**

-   **Acquisition or relocation** of hazard-prone property for
    conversion to open space in perpetuity;

-   **Structural and non-structural retrofitting** of existing buildings
    and facilities, such as:

    -   elevation

    -   floodproofing

    -   storm shutters

    -   hurricane clips, etc.

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-   **Minor structural hazard control** or protection projects, such as:

    -   vegetation management,

    -   stormwater management (e.g., culverts, floodgates, retention
        basins, etc.) or

    -   shoreline/landslide stabilization;

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    -   **Localized flood control projects** to protect critical
        facilities, such as:

        -   ring levees

        -   floodwall systems

    -   Development of hazard **mitigation plans**

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-   **PDM** projects must meet the following **criteria**:

## \[PowerPoint 32.6 PDM Criteria\]

-   Substantially **reduce the risk** of future damage, hardship, loss
    or suffering resulting from a major disaster;

-   Be cost-effective, with a benefit-cost analysis that results in a
    **benefit-cost ratio** of **1.0 or greater**;

-   Be in **conformance** with the **state hazard mitigation plan;**

-   **Solve a problem independently** or constitute a functional portion
    of a solution where there is assurance that the project as a whole
    will be completed;

-   Be in conformance with applicable **state and federal**
    environmental and floodplain management **laws;**

-   **Not duplicate benefits** available from another source for the
    same purpose, including assistance that another federal agency or
    program has the primary authority to provide.

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-   In addition, the PDM project must be located in a community that
    **participates** in the **National Flood Insurance Program** if they
    have been identified through the NFIP as having a **Special Flood
    Hazard Area**.

    -   The community must not be on probation, suspended or withdrawn
        from the NFIP in order to qualify for PDM funding.

­­­­­­­­­­­

**Objective 31.3** **Review provisions of National Flood Insurance
Program.**

**Requirements**:

The content should be presented as lecture, supported by PowerPoint
slides. Class discussion is to be encouraged. Suggested questions to
prompt classroom discussion appear at the end of this Objective.

The following PowerPoint slides are to be shown during this session:

**PowerPoint 32.7** National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

**PowerPoint 32.8** NFIP Floodplain Ordinance Criteria

**PowerPoint 32.9** NFIP Building Standards

**PowerPoint 32.10** Flood Insurance Study (FIS)

**PowerPoint 32.11** FIRM Terminology

**PowerPoint 32.12** FIRM Zones

**PowerPoint 32.13** Conditions for changing a FIRM

**Remarks:**

**[The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)]{.underline}**

-   Congress established the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) in
    **1968** through the national Flood Insurance Act to help **control
    the growing cost of federal disaster relief**.

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-   The program began as a **voluntary participatory program** for local
    communities who wished to provide the opportunity for residents to
    purchase federally backed flood insurance. In exchange, **local
    governments would enact ordinances** to regulate development in
    floodplains.

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-   It is notable that most of the major disasters that occurred in the
    1960s that **prompted the legislation** were **coastal hazards**.

    -   **Ash Wednesday Storm** (1962) impacted 620+ miles of shoreline
        on the Eastern coast and \$300 million in damages

    -   **Prince William Sound**, Alaska **earthquake** (1964) generated
        a **tsunami** killing 123 people along the Pacific Coast as far
        south as California

    -   **Hurricane Betsy** (1965) and **Hurricane Camille** (1969)
        killed/injured hundreds of people and caused hundreds of
        millions of dollars in damage along the Gulf Coast

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    -   The legislation was bolstered a few years later through the
        **Flood Insurance Act of 1972,** which required the purchase of
        flood insurance for all federally-backed home mortgages.

        -   Again, it took a coastal hazard of immense magnitude --
            **Hurricane Agnes**, which devastated Florida -- to prompt
            the legislation.

**[How the NFIP works:]{.underline}**

> **\[PowerPoint 32.7 National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)\]**

-   Administered by FEMA, NFIP offers **federally backed flood
    insurance** in communities that adopt and enforce effective
    **floodplain management ordinances** to reduce future flood losses.

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-   Flood insurance is required by law for most **mortgages:**

    -   To get **secured financing** to buy, build, or improve
        structures in the floodplain, borrowers must purchase flood
        insurance.

    -   **Lending institutions** that are **federally regulated** or
        **federally insured** (the vast majority of lenders in the US)
        must determine if the structure that serves as security for a
        loan is located in a flood hazard area.

        -   If the structure is located in a flood area, written
            documentation of the flood insurance policy is required.

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-   The NFIP is a self-supporting program that requires **no taxpayer
    funds** to pay claims or operating expenses for the average
    historical loss year. Expenses are covered through premiums
    collected for flood insurance policies.

    -   The Program has borrowing authority from the US Treasury for
        times when losses are heavy. These loans are paid back with
        interest.

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-   The NFIP is the **largest single-line writer of property insurance**
    in the United States.

    -   In 2004, the NFIP had 4.4 million properties in force in nearly
        20,000 communities.

    -   The NFIP estimates that mitigation efforts are reducing
        America's flood losses by \$1 billion each year.

    -   In an average year, NFIP policyholders receive about \$800
        million for flood insurance claims and related expenses.

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-   National Flood Insurance is **available only in communities that
    apply** for participation in the NFIP and agree to implement
    prescribed flood mitigation measures.

    -   In the context of the program, a **"community"** is a political
        entity -- whether an incorporated town, city, township, borough,
        or village, or an unincorporated area of a county or parish --
        that has **legal authority to adopt and enforce floodplain
        management ordinances** for the area under its jurisdiction.

-   Newly participating communities are admitted the **NFIP's Emergency
    Program**. Most such communities earn promotion to the Regular
    Program.

# Floodplain Management Under the NFIP

-   If communities enter the NFIP, they **are required to adopt
    floodplain ordinances** meeting criteria established by FEMA.

-   **Criteria** for floodplain ordinances include:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.8 NFIP Floodplain Ordinance Criteria\]**

-   **Require permits** for development within designated floodplains;

-   **Review development plans** and **subdivision proposals** to
    determine whether proposed sites will be reasonably safe from
    flooding;

-   Require **protection of water supply and sewage systems** to
    minimize infiltration of floodwater;

-   Obtain, review and utilize all base flood **elevation data**; and

-   Assure **maintenance** of flood carrying capacities within all
    watercourses.

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-   **NFIP building standards**:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.9 NFIP Building Standards\]**

-   require that **new structures** in the 100-year flood zone be
    **elevated** to or above the 100-year flood level (generally known
    as the Base Flood Elevation, or BFE)

-   require that **subdivisions** be designed to **minimize exposure**
    to flood hazards.

-   For **high-hazard coastal zones**, additional standards are imposed.

-   Under the NFIP **"substantial improvement" provisions**, these
    construction standards are also imposed during reconstruction
    following flood damage.

# Increased Cost of Compliance

-   Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) is an **endorsement** to NFIP
    policyholders' **standard flood insurance policy**.

    -   It applies to **all new and renewed flood insurance policies**
        effective after June 1. 1997.

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    -   ICC is available to **help owners** whose homes or businesses
        are **damaged by flood to meet building requirements** imposed
        by the local floodplain management ordinance.

        -   The **damage must be caused by a flood**. Damage that is
            caused by a combination of wind and flood (i.e., hurricane)
            is not eligible for ICC assistance.

    -   Flood insurance policyholders in **high-risk areas** can get
        **up to \$20,000** to help pay the costs of bringing their home
        or business into **compliance.**

# Flood Insurance Study

> **\[PowerPoint 32.10 Flood Insurance Study (FIS)\]**

-   FEMA develops a **Flood Insurance Study (FIS)** for all communities
    that participate in the Flood Insurance Program.

    -   An FIS contains a **Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM),** which is
        an official map of a community that shows areas at risk from
        flooding from the base flood.

    -   Another element of an FIS is a graph, also known as a **flood
        profile.** The flood profile shows potential flood elevations
        plotted along the waterways.

[Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs)]{.underline}

-   **Minimum floodplain management standards** are based on official
    Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) that depict the community's flood
    hazard areas.

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-   **Flood risk information** presented on FIRMs is **based on**:

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-   historic data

-   meteorological data

-   hydrological data

-   hydraulic data

-   open space conditions

-   flood control works, and

-   development.

> **\[PowerPoint 32.11 FIRM Terminology\]**

-   Terminology used on a Flood Insurance Rate Map:

    -   The **floodway** is the stream channel and that portion of the
        adjacent floodplain that must remain open to permit passage of
        the base flood without raising the water surface elevation by
        more than one foot.

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    -   The **100-year flood** designation applies to an area that has a
        1% chance, on average, of flooding in any given year. However, a
        100-year flood could occur two years in a row, or once every
        10years.

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    -   The 100-year flood is also referred to as the **base flood**.
        The base flood is the standard that has been adopted by the
        NFIP. It is a national standard that represents a compromise
        between minor floods and the greatest flood likely to occur in a
        given area and provides a useful benchmark.

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    -   **Base Flood Elevation** (BFE), as shown on the FIRM, is the
        elevation of the water surface resulting from a flood that has a
        1% chance of occurring in any given year. The BFE is the height
        of the base flood, usually in feet, in relation to the National
        Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929, the North American Vertical
        Datum of 1988, or other datum referenced in the FIS report.

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    -   **Special Flood Hazard Area** (SFHA) is the shaded area on a
        FIRM that identifies an area that has a 1% chance of being
        flooded in any given year (100-year floodplain).

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    -   The **500-year flood floodplain** is the area with a 0.2% chance
        of flooding in any given year.

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    -   **Coastal high hazard areas** are those coastal areas that are
        subject to a velocity hazard (wave action).

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    -   FIRMs show different floodplains with **different zone
        designations**. These are primarily for insurance rating
        purposes, but the zone differentiation can be very helpful for
        other floodplain planning purposes as well. *For example*:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.12 FIRM Zones\]**

-   [Zone A]{.underline}: The 100-year or base floodplain. There are 6
    types of A zones

-   [Zone V and VE]{.underline}: The coastal area subject to velocity
    hazard (wave action)

-   [Zone B and Zone X]{.underline}: Area of moderate flood hazard,
    usually the area between the limits of the 100- and 500-year floods.

-   [Zone C and Zone X]{.underline}: Area of minimal flooding hazard

-   [Zone D]{.underline}: Area of undetermined but possible flood hazard

# Keeping FIRMs current

-   There is much riding on a community's FIRMs. Development permits,
    ordinance provisions, and structural requirements (e.g., elevation)
    are determined by the location of land on the local Flood Maps.
    Insurance rates are also determined by the maps.

-   No map is perfect, and floodplains change due to a number of
    reasons. From time to time, FEMA, communities, or individuals may
    find it necessary for a FIRM to be **updated, corrected or
    changed**.

    -   **Conditions** that may warrant a change in a local FIRM
        include:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.13 Conditions for changing a FIRM\]**

-   Significant **construction** has occurred **within** the already
    **identified floodplains** on the FIRM

-   **Upstream** communities have had significant **development** since
    the FIRM was published

-   There has been a **flood** for which **inundation patterns**
    indicate that the FIRM boundaries are no longer accurate

-   A major **flood control project** has been completed within the
    community, or upstream of the community

-   **Changes in topography** in or adjacent to existing mapped
    floodplains

# Map Modernization Program

-   In 1997, FEMA developed a Map Modernization Program **to update and
    digitize** the entire US floodplain map panel inventory.

    -   FEMA has a **budget of \$200 million** to implement the
        multi-hazard flood map modernization program.

    -   The complete multi-year effort to update and digitize the flood
        map inventory will **cost about \$1 billion**, but can help
        **prevent \$45 billion** in flood losses over the next 50 years.

-   Unfortunately, that **time frame** means that many communities will
    still be using **out-of-date flood maps** when determining standards
    for future development in their floodplains.

    -   In many of these communities, changes in development,
        topography, and inundation patterns have been so dramatic that
        homes and businesses may be **unwittingly allowed in areas of
        flood risk**, even in communities that faithfully enforce their
        floodplain regulations.

-   Some **states have decided to proceed with their own flood map
    modernization** programs.

    -   For example, the State of **North Carolina** has undertaken a
        massive flood mapping project.

    -   The decision to proceed was made following **Hurricane Floyd**
        in 1999, when flood hazard data and map limitations were
        dramatically revealed.

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-   At that time, approximately 75% of North Carolina FIRMs were at
    least 5 years old, and approximately 55% of North Carolina FIRMs
    were at least **10 years old**.

-   The flooding that occurred during and after Hurricane Floyd far
    **exceeded the flood boundaries** portrayed on the FIRMs.

-   Many **structures were flooded** in locations that did not appear as
    flood hazard areas on the maps in existence at the time.

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-   Although FEMA had begun the process of updating FIRMs nationwide,
    the federal mapping budget was finite; on average, North Carolina
    **would have received one updated flood study per county per year**.
    In a state with 100 counties, the process was deemed inadequate to
    protect communities from future flood events.

[Questions for class discussion:]{.underline}

-   Do you consider the availability of federally backed flood insurance
    to be an incentive to build in safer locations and according to
    minimum standards of floodplain management?

-   Or is the availability of insurance more of an inducement to build
    in hazardous locations?

-   Is the requirement that buildings be elevated in flood hazard areas
    enough of a mitigating element to protect against losses? Or should
    a mitigation program be more inclined to steer development away from
    hazard locations altogether?

**Objective 31.4** **Review provisions of the Community Rating System.**

**Requirements**:

The content should be presented as lecture, supported by PowerPoint
slides. Class discussion is to be encouraged.

The following PowerPoint slides are to be shown during this session:

**PowerPoint 32.14** Community Rating System (CRS)

**PowerPoint 32.15** CRS Goals

**PowerPoint 32.16** CRS Public Information Activities

**PowerPoint 32.17** CRS Mapping and Regulatory Activities

**PowerPoint 32.18** CRS Flood Protection Activities

**PowerPoint 32.19** CRS Flood Preparedness Activities

**Remarks:**

# Community Rating System Goals

-   The Community Rating System (CRS) is **administered by FEMA**, and
    is part of the National Flood Insurance Program **(NFIP**).

> **\[PowerPoint 32.14 Community Rating System (CRS)\]**

-   The CRS provides **flood insurance premium discounts** for residents
    in NFIP communities that undertake floodplain mitigation
    **activities** above and **beyond the minimum NFIP requirements**.

    -   In other words, the CRS is a program that **awards sound
        floodplain management** with insurance savings for residents.

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-   The three stated goals of the CRS are to:

> **\[PowerPoint 32.15 CRS Goals\]**

1.  reduce flood losses

2.  facilitate accurate insurance ratings

3.  promote awareness of flood insurance

# CRS Communities

-   The activities that qualify for CRS involvement **benefit policy
    holders** and the residents of the **entire community** through:

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-   reduced premiums

-   reduced claim payments, and

-   reduction of human suffering and property damage following a
    flooding disaster.

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-   In **2004**, there were just over **1,000 CRS communities** spread
    throughout the United States.

    -   Over **66%** of the **NFIP's policy base** was located in these
        communities.

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    -   Communities receiving premium discounts through the CRS cover a
        full **range of sizes** from small to large, and a broad
        **mixture of flood risks**, including coastal and riverine.

# CRS Classification

-   The reduction in insurance premiums is in the form of a **CRS
    classification**.

    -   There are **10 classes** in the system, each providing an
        additional **5% premium rate reduction** for properties in the
        community's mapped floodplain.

    -   A community's class is based on the number of **credit points**
        it receives for its floodplain management activities.

    -   **Class 1** requires the most credit points and gives the
        **greatest premium reduction**.

    -   **Class 10** receives **no premium reduction**. A community that
        does not apply for the CRS or does not obtain the minimum number
        of credit points is a Class 10 community.

# CRS Floodplain Management Activities

-   The CRS Schedule identifies **18 creditable activities**, organized
    under **four categories,** or "series". The schedule assigns credit
    points based upon the extent to which an activity advances the three
    goals of the CRS.

> **\[PowerPoint 32.16 CRS Public Information Activities\]**

-   ***Public Information Activities***:

> This series credits programs that advise people about the flood
> hazard, flood insurance, and ways to reduce flood damage. These
> activities also provide data needed by insurance agents for accurate
> flood insurance rating. They generally serve all members of the
> community. Activities in the Public Information Series include:

-   Elevation Certificates

-   Map Information

-   Outreach Projects

-   Hazard Disclosure

-   Flood Protection Information

-   Flood Protection Assistance

> **\[PowerPoint 32.17 CRS Mapping and Regulatory Activities\]**

-   ***Mapping and Regulatory Activities***

This series credits programs that provide increase protection to new
development, including:

-   Additional Flood Data

-   Open Space Preservation

-   Higher Regulatory Standards

-   Flood Data Maintenance

-   Stormwater Management

> **\[PowerPoint 32.18 CRS Flood Protection Activities\]**

-   ***Flood Protection Activities***

This series credits programs that reduce the flood risk to existing
development, including:

-   Floodplain Management Plan

-   Acquisition and Relocation

-   Flood Protection (Retrofitting)

-   Drainage system maintenance

**\[PowerPoint 32.19 CRS Flood Preparedness Activities\]**

-   ***Flood Preparedness Activities***

This series credits:

-   Flood Warning Programs

-   Levee Safety

-   Dam Safety

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-   The **most possible credit** points are awarded for **acquisition
    and relocation** projects to remove structures from the floodplain.

-   Some CRS activities may be completed by the **State or a regional
    agency** rather than at the community level.

    -   *For example*, some states have disclosure laws that are
        creditable under the Flood Hazard Disclosure activity. Any
        community in those states will receive those credit points when
        it applies for CRS credit and demonstrates that the law is
        effectively implemented within its jurisdiction.

# CRS Verification

-   The community's activities and performance are **reviewed** during a
    **verification visit**. FEMA sets the credit to be granted and
    notifies the community, the State, insurance companies and others.

-   Each year, the community must **re-certify** or re-verify that it is
    continuing to perform the activities that are being credited by the
    CRS.

-   If a community is **not** properly or fully **implementing** the
    credited activities, its **credit points**, and possibly its **CRS
    classification**, will be **revised.** A community may add credited
    activities each year in order to improve its CRS classification.

Objective 32.5 Review provisions of the Flood Mitigation Assistance
Program

**Requirements**:

The content should be presented as lecture. Class discussion is to be
encouraged.

Remarks:

# FMA Grants

-   The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program (FMA) is authorized by the
    National **Flood Insurance Reform Act of 1994**.

-   FMA **expands FEMA's mitigation assistance** to states, communities,
    and individuals by providing **grants** for **cost-effective
    measures** to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage
    to the built environment and real property.

-   The **priority** goal of the FMA is to **reduce repetitive losses to
    the National Flood Insurance Program** (NFIP).

-   Unlike the HMGP, which is available only after a
    presidentially-declared disaster, FMA funding is **available to
    eligible communities every year.**

-   To be **eligible** for FMA grants, a community must:

    -   be a participant in the **National Flood Insurance Program**
        (NFIP), and

    -   have jurisdiction over a particular area having **special flood
        hazards.**

-   The FMA Program provides **three types of grants**:

    -   planning

    -   project

    -   technical assistance

# FMA Flood Mitigation Plans

-   **Planning grants** allow states and communities to **determine
    flood risks** and **identify actions to reduce that risk** through
    the preparation of Flood Mitigation Plans.

    -   Creation and approval of a **flood mitigation plan** is a
        **prerequisite** to receiving flood mitigation assistance
        **project grants.**

-   Regulations specify what entails development of a flood mitigation
    plan for the purposes of the FMA. At a minimum, the **plan** must
    include the following **elements:**

    -   Description of the existing flood risk

    -   Identification of repetitive loss properties

    -   Identification of alternative feasible solutions

    -   Evaluation of each alternative type of solution

    -   Presentation of an overall strategy for reducing flood risks

    -   Strategies for continued compliance with the NFIP

    -   Summary of the public involvement process

    -   Documentation of plan approval by the local or state government

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    -   The regulations do **not** mandate that FMA plans be **limited
        to flood hazards** (although funds will only be provided for the
        flood portion of any mitigation plan).

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    -   The FMA plan is not meant to create an additional planning
        requirement for states and localities. Communities are
        **encouraged to create multi-hazard plans**, and to coordinate
        with existing plans.

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-   For instance, an approved Community Rating System (CRS) plan will
    usually meet FMA requirements.

# FMA Project Grants

-   Once a community has a **flood mitigation plan** approved by the
    FEMA Regional Director, it is **eligible** for flood mitigation
    **project grants**.

-   **Examples of types of projects** that would be eligible for funding
    through the FMA include:

    -   Elevation and/or dry flood proofing of pre-FIRM structures

    -   Acquisition of real property and property rights, including
        structures

    -   Relocation or demolition of structures

    -   Minor structural projects, including flood retention ponds,
        flood proofing sewers, modifying culverts, and installing or
        modifying floodgates

    -   Beach nourishment activities

*Course developer references:*

FEMA. "Keeping Risk at Bay." *Watermark: National Flood Insurance
Program*: 2004, No. 1.

FEMA. August 2001. *Understanding Your Risks: Identifying Hazards and
Estimating Losses: State and Local Mitigation Planning How-To Guide*.
FEMA 386-2.

Haddow, George D. and Jane A. Bullock. 2003. *Introduction to Emergency
Management*. New York: Butterworth--Heinmann.

<http://www.fema.gove/nfip/whonfip>.

[http://www.ncfloodmaps.com](http://www.ncfloodmaps.com/)

<http://www/fema.gov/nfip/crs.shtm>

FEMA, National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. *CRS
Coordinator's Manual*

North Carolina State Hazard Mitigation Plan (322 Plan). 2004.