WATERMARK 2005, Number 3

National Flood Insurance Program

Contents

Implementing FIRA	1
Hurricane Season 2005	1
Message from the Acting Director	2
Say Goodbye to Long LOMA Processing Times	5 
FloodSmart Keeps Getting Smarter	6
PRP Conversion Now OK for Map Revisions	7
Seeking Nominations for NFIP Awards	9 
Measuring the Tides of Change	10
Applauding Stakeholder Successes	14
Agency of the Year Award Winners	15
Agents Save with the Co-op Program	17
Funny, It Doesn't LOOK Like a Floodplain!	18
Floods After Fires	19
Get FloodSmart This Winter	21
Ask the Experts Q&As: Defining Moments	22
Floodplain Officials Get CRS Boost	25
Adjuster Certification	27
FEMA Webcast Briefs Insurance Commissioners	28
Re:Sources	29
Just Around the Bend	30 
NFIP Telephone Numbers	31


Watermark is published three times a year by the National Flood Insurance Program 
(NFIP). The NFIP is administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency 
(FEMA), a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. 

Editor
Susan Bernstein

Publication Coordinator
Lynd Morris

Graphic Designer
Glenn H. Martin

We welcome your comments and suggestions, as well as submissions for articles and 
departments. In addition, we encourage you to reproduce articles and departments 
contained in the Watermark and include them in your own newsletters or other 
communications. Send your questions, comments, suggestions, and submissions to:

Susan Bernstein
FEMA
Room 441
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472
susan.bernstein1@dhs.gov

Members of Congress, please write to:

FEMA
Office of Congressional Affairs
Room 820
500 C Street SW
Washington, DC 20472

If you would like to receive additional copies of this publication or know of someone 
who would like to be on our mailing list, fax your request to 
301-918-1471 or mail your request to:

Watermark Subscriptions
NFIP Bureau & Statistical Agent
P.O. Box 710
Lanham, MD 20703-0710
Please send changes of address, name, title, etc., to the fax number or the address above. 
The current issue and selected back issues of Watermark  are available at:
www.fema.gov/nfip/wm.shtm

Message from the Acting Director

Dear Watermark Reader,
Throughout 2005 we've been informing our stakeholders about various activities related 
to the Flood Insurance Reform Act (FIRA) of 2004. We'd like to use this issue of the 
Watermark to "bring it all together."
Title II of FIRA is designed to strengthen the NFIP by ensuring that the public and our 
partners are knowledgeable about the Program, its requirements, and its benefits. For 
example, the new NFIP Claims Handbook and Summary of Coverage, easy to understand 
and popular documents (see page 3), were ready when needed following Hurricane 
Katrina. 
FEMA and the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent are offering NFIP training to agents, 
adjusters, lenders, public officials, and condominium association members, to mention 
only a few. Through our media campaign, FloodSmart, we are educating the public with 
commercials, radio public service announcements, flyers, brochures, and other materials. 
The FloodSmart campaign is working with Write Your Own (WYO) companies to 
inform insurers of the benefits of the flood insurance policies they offer and to clarify 
coverage issues. WYO companies are opening up new channels, like the World Wide 
Web, to share NFIP information with their policyholders.  
We are working with local communities to offer NFIP training through the Community 
Rating System (CRS). For instance, the CRS is working directly with North Carolina 
officials so that insurance agents in the State receive yearly training about the NFIP and 
flood insurance. We are working with State Departments of Insurance and with the 
insurance industry as a whole to establish and publish minimum flood insurance training 
and education requirements for agents who sell NFIP policies. 
We see it as "working with FIRA" and with all of our partners to make sure that people 
throughout the U.S. can get back on their feet after a flood; and that all of us-our 
partners, policyholders, and the general public-realize that this is everyone's job.

Sincerely,

David I. Maurstad
Acting Director
Mitigation Division
Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate



Implementing FIRA
David I. Maurstad, FEMA

FEMA is in the process of implementing the Title II requirements of the Flood Insurance 
Reform Act (FIRA) of 2004. Pursuant to the concerns of numerous companies and agents 
that provided constructive recommendations, FEMA conducted a comprehensive review. 
I greatly appreciate the input from the insurance industry and others. I am pleased to 
inform you of the following decisions.

Who Does What Under FIRA 
It is the responsibility of FEMA and the producers of federally backed Standard Flood 
Insurance Policies (SFIPs) to ensure that policyholders understand their rights and 
responsibilities under the policy and understand what is covered by the policy. 
WYO Company Responsibility
On and after October 1, 2005, when WYO companies or the NFIP Servicing Agent mail 
a new or renewal declarations page to policyholders, the following documents must also 
be enclosed: 
 A summary of coverage as required by FIRA, Section 202 (a)(1), (2), (3), and (5)
 A notice that FEMA will send subsequent information. 
FEMA Responsibility
FEMA, through the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent, will send to the policyholders: 
 the property's loss history information, as required by FIRA, Section 202 (a)(4)
 the NFIP Claims Handbook, as required by FIRA, Section 204 (FIRA requires that, at 
the time of a claim, WYO companies will furnish the claims handbook to their 
policyholders.)
 the acknowledgement, as required by FIRA, Section 203.

Now serving as Acting Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division, David Maurstad was 
once Mayor of Beatrice, Nebraska, and served as a Nebraska State Senator. He later held 
the office of Lieutenant Governor of Nebraska before coming to FEMA in 2001 as the 
Director of FEMA's Region VIII Office. 

Hurricane Season 2005
Susan Bernstein, FEMA

By the end of September 2005, the United States had already experienced one of the 
busiest hurricane seasons in memory. Tropical Storm Arlene emerged on June 8, a week 
after the official start of hurricane season. Hurricane Dennis hit Mississippi, Alabama, 
and western Florida in mid-July, prompting major disaster declarations in all three states. 
By the end of September, 17 named storms had already formed, resulting in nine federal 
disaster declarations. 
Katrina, which first made landfall in Florida as a Category 1 hurricane on August 25, 
crossed into the Gulf of Mexico and gathered strength before making landfall in 
Louisiana on August 29 as a Category 4 hurricane. Hurricane Katrina became one of the 
most devastating storms in American history, taking hundreds of lives across the Gulf 
Coast, and forcing the largest relocation ever recorded in the United States. Less than a 
month later, Rita made landfall as a Category 3 hurricane on the border between Texas 
and Louisiana, driving further evacuations in both states and causing more wind and 
flood damage along the Gulf Coast and farther inland. 
How the NFIP handled the "Big One"
When Hurricane Katrina came ashore in Louisiana and Mississippi last August 29, it was, 
if not the worst, one of the strongest storms to hit the US. In the wake of Hurricane 
Katrina, the NFIP modified the way it settles claims to expedite the response to 
policyholders in storm-stricken areas. 
"For many Hurricane Katrina victims, the effort to rebuild their lives begins with filing a 
flood insurance claim," said Acting Federal Insurance Administrator David Maurstad.
The NFIP worked closely with the insurance industry to speed the claims process and 
enable adjusters to help policyholders get settlements quickly. The NFIP used all 
available data on water depths, aerial imagery, and information from underwriting files to 
identify properties where it was readily apparent that the flood damage exceeded the 
amount of NFIP insurance purchased. Claim processing modifications enabled the NFIP 
to pay up to the policy limits through dialogue with the insured and without waiting for a 
site visit to adjust the loss. This process was used in cases in which homes were washed 
off their foundations, affected for long periods by standing water, or when only pilings or 
a slab remained. 

Adapting to the Public Need 
The NFIP waived the usual requirement that the policyholder must submit a proof-of-loss 
and instead, when the policyholder agreed, relied on the report made by the claims 
adjuster. The NFIP urged insurance companies to provide advance checks of around 
$3,000 to policyholders who carried contents coverage. Adjusters were instructed to 
assist policyholders in developing a list of their appliances and other belongings damaged 
by flood waters. The customary reporting of serial and model numbers was waived.
Insurance experts were on hand in most FEMA Disaster Recovery Centers to assist flood 
victims with the claims process. Flood insurance claims adjusters were on the ground in 
Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi assisting victims within days of the storm, and were in 
even the most heavily affected areas of Louisiana within 2 weeks. 
"Katrina is the largest flood disaster in our nation's history, and it requires us to take a 
new look at how we process flood insurance claims," said David Paulison, Acting Under 
Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response and Acting 
FEMA Director. "Our mutual goal is to get families into the recovery process as quickly 
as possible." 
The NFIP stayed in contact with the insurance commissioners of Louisiana, Mississippi, 
and Alabama throughout the claims process. 
"The citizens of Louisiana need a fair and speedy process as they rebuild their lives," said 
Louisiana Insurance Commissioner J. Robert Wooley. "It is going to take everyone in 
private industry and in government working together to accomplish the difficult task 
before us."
"Since the NFIP began in the late 1960s, they have worked hard to expedite the 
assistance they offer to flood victims," said Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George 
Dale. "Like many others in the aftermath of Katrina, they are adapting to a situation none 
have encountered before. I applaud their efforts to efficiently serve the Mississippi 
victims of Katrina. We will be working with NFIP and other government agencies in an 
effort to find relief for those not covered by an insurance company or NFIP." 
"Among the lessons our department learned from Hurricane Ivan [which came ashore in 
Alabama in mid-September 2004] was the need to work closely with the NFIP," said 
Alabama Insurance Commissioner Walter A. Bell. "I am appreciative of the aggressive 
approach the program is taking in regard to claims from Katrina. As it appears that the 
flood losses from Katrina will be quite large, it is important that consumers have the 
process streamlined. We will continue to work closely with the NFIP to best serve 
Alabamians affected by flood."
The new NFIP documents-the Flood Insurance Claims Handbook and the Summary of 
Coverage-were available at all Disaster Field Offices in the affected areas by September 
15. These materials also were given to the insurance commissioners of Alabama, 
Louisiana, and Mississippi.
The Administrator's Testimony
After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, David Maurstad, Acting Director of FEMA's 
Mitigation Division and Federal Insurance Administrator, testified before the Senate on 
issues related to the NFIP's response to these storms, including: streamlining the NFIP 
claims process for Katrina and Rita flood victims; the NFIP's financial status; repetitive 
loss properties; and mitigation/rebuilding issues. 
Declared Disasters
President Bush approved major disaster declarations as a result of Hurricanes Dennis, 
Katrina, and Rita. The immediate federal priorities were to provide life-saving and life-
sustaining operations in support of state and local officials, including commodity 
distribution; to supply critical communications capabilities; and to maintain hazardous 
material awareness on re-entry into affected areas. 
The Atlantic hurricane season lasts from the beginning of June until the end of 
November. More information about FEMA's response to the 2005 hurricane season is 
available on the FEMA website (www.fema.gov). 

Susan Bernstein is the Editor of Watermark and also the FEMA Mitigation Division 
Legal Liaison to WYO Companies and the FEMA Office of General Counsel. She's been 
handling WYO flood insurance lawsuits for nearly 9 years.



Say Goodbye to Long LOMA Processing Times
Michael Godesky, FEMA

FEMA is developing an application called "eLOMA," which will provide licensed land 
surveyors and professional engineers with an Internet-based system to process 
straightforward requests for Letters of Map Amendment (LOMAs).  
A LOMA is a letter from FEMA stating that an existing structure or parcel of land that 
has not been elevated by the placement of fill is not expected to be inundated by the 1-
percent-annual-chance flood (the base flood).
The process to obtain a LOMA has historically taken 30 to 60 days, but with eLOMA, 
homeowners could receive their determinations in the time it takes to enter the required 
information online.
How Does eLOMA Work?
To receive an eLOMA, licensed professionals will register on FEMA's Multi-hazard 
Information Platform (MIP) to establish an account.  They can then enter property-
specific information that they have certified as accurate as well as data gleaned from the 
FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Insurance Study Reports. The eLOMA 
online service will then make a determination based on the submitted information, and 
users will be able to print a copy of it.
An eLOMA will perform the same functions as a standard LOMA. The only difference 
between the two is that the online determination is made automatically with standard 
checks and some random audits rather than with the more lengthy manual review given to 
the LOMA by FEMA staff.  In addition, the eLOMA does not replace the LOMA 
procedure. The eLOMA is an optional process applicable to only the most 
straightforward LOMA requests. Currently, there is no charge to receive a LOMA, and 
eLOMAs also will be available to the public at no cost. 
The Future Looks Bright 
FEMA will be closely monitoring the progress of eLOMAs and, if they are successful, 
may consider expanding eLOMA capabilities to include:
 accepting and handling processing fees
 allowing on-line applications for LOMRs, LOMR-Fs,  etc. 
 determining the Base Flood Elevation by latitude and longitude, via a Digital Flood 
Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) database (there must be enough volume to warrant this 
change)
 permitting e-LOMAs for buildings constructed on fill (community acknowledgement 
would be required to validate the fill)
Questions about the new eLOMAs can be directed to the FEMA Map Assistance Center 
(877-FEMA-MAP).

Michael Godesky, the Project Engineer for FEMA's Risk Identification Branch, is also 
the coordinator of FEMA's Letter of Map Change Workgroup.

FloodSmart Keeps Getting Smarter
Meg Bartow, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide

The FloodSmart campaign is well into its second year and going strong. June 2004 
marked the beginning of the new marketing campaign for the NFIP.  FloodSmart is an 
integrated, direct-marketing campaign designed to propel consumers to buy flood 
insurance. Elements of the campaign include television and print advertising, stakeholder 
outreach, and a comprehensive consumer website: www.FloodSmart.gov. 
Year One
Between June 2004 and January 2005, FloodSmart's direct response outreach led to a 
3.38 percent net increase in policy growth. And between June 2004 and March 2005, 
more than 100 million people nationwide came in contact with FloodSmart messaging 
through our various activities:
 761,910 people visited www.FloodSmart.gov.
 78,521 visitors used the risk assessment tool to determine their flood risk.
 31,126 consumers were directed to agents through the Agent Referral Program.
 Outreach to the media resulted in FloodSmart being mentioned in the New York Times, 
the Los Angeles Times, the Wall Street Journal, and on National Public Radio.
 428 agents enrolled in the Agent Referral Program.
Year Two
With FloodSmart now in its second year, the campaign is building upon the successes of 
Year One to meet new goals established through March 2006. 
Many of the components of the integrated FloodSmart campaign are growing in Year 
Two. 
FloodSmart has expanded its six original target states (California, Florida, Louisiana, 
New Jersey, North Carolina, and Texas) to 16, adding Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, 
Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and 
Washington.
FloodSmart's Direct Response Television (DRTV) commercials, "Homeowners" and 
"Ignoring the Flood," are continuing to be aired, along with a new commercial spot. More 
channels have been added to the rotation. Online advertising and direct mail were very 
successful in 2004 and expanded in 2005. Direct-mail marketing has expanded the 
acquisition portion of the program into the newly targeted states. The campaign's website 
is being updated constantly and has been enhanced to include new tools and resources 
specifically designed for agents.
The NFIP also has increased the print media schedule to include buying ads in magazines 
such as Reader's Digest, Family Handyman, and This Old House while maintaining a 
presence in the PARADE and USA WEEKEND Sunday newspaper supplements.  In 
addition, FloodSmart has created new ads specifically targeting insurance agents to be 
placed in industry publications including American Agent & Broker, Independent Agent, 
Insurance Journal, National Underwriter, and Rough Notes.
We encourage you to visit FloodSmart.gov often for more information about the NFIP's 
marketing campaign and the new incentives being developed for agents and WYO 
companies. 

Meg Bartow is an Account Director at Oglivy Public Relations Worldwide and has been 
a member of the FloodSmart campaign team since June 2004, when Oglivy began 
partnering with the J. Walter Thompson advertising company to manage the NFIP's 
public awareness and advertising campaign. 


PRP Conversion Now OK for Map Revisions
Michael McFadden, NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent


Converting a standard-rated NFIP policy to a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) because of a 
map revision has become possible for the first time, thanks to some of the semiannual 
program changes documented in the October update of the NFIP Flood Insurance 
Manual.
That item tops a short slate of changes effective October 1, which are summarized below. 
Complete details are provided in the October revisions supplement to the Flood Insurance 
Manual. Printed and CD-ROM copies of that document were mailed to flood manual 
subscribers in September (see sidebar on page 8 for subscription information). An 
electronic version, in Adobe PDF format, was posted on the NFIP website 
(www.fema.gov/nfip/manual.shtm) in August. 
PRP Conversion
The PRP is the NFIP's low-cost insurance product for owners and tenants of eligible 
buildings in low- to moderate-risk B, C, and X Zones located in NFIP Regular Program 
communities.
In the past, a standard-rated A Zone or V Zone policy could be converted to a PRP only 
to correct a rating error made when the policy was issued. There was no provision for 
converting a standard-rated policy when a flood map revision made it eligible as a PRP.
Cancellation/Nullification Section
Effective October 1, key changes in the Flood Insurance Manual's 
Cancellation/Nullification section have broadened the circumstances in which a standard-
rated policy may be converted to a PRP:
 Cancellation Reason Code 22, "Cancel/Rewrite," has been reworded as "Cancel/Rewrite 
Due to Misrating."
 A new Cancellation Reason Code 24, "Cancel/Rewrite Due to Map Revision, LOMA, 
or LOMR," has been added.

Now, when a flood map revision, Letter of Map Amendment, or Letter of Map Revision 
makes a standard-rated policy eligible as a PRP, the agent may convert the policy to a 
PRP with a mid-term cancel/rewrite.
Detailed information about codes 22 and 24, new procedures for PRP conversion, and 
required documentation can be found on pages CN 6-7 of the October revisions 
supplement. Also, see the "Implementation Criteria" box below.
PRP Section
In the manual's Preferred Risk Policy section, pages PRP 2 and 4 have been revised in 
accordance with the changes in the Cancellation/ Nullification section involving codes 22 
and 24.
Actually, this process began in the May reissue of the Flood Insurance Manual, when part 
of the wording of subsection "IX. Endorsements" was changed and all of subsection "X. 
Cancellation/Nullification" was revised as "X. Conversion of Standard Rated Policy to 
PRP Due to Misrating or Map Revision."
That phased-in revision process has been completed for October. The affected portion of 
the text now is organized into the following subsections:
 IX. Endorsements
 X. Conversion of Standard Rated Policy to PRP Due to Misrating [This subsection 
describes uses of revised Cancellation Reason Code 22.]
 XI. Conversion of Standard Rated Policy to PRP Due to Map Revision, LOMA, or 
LOMR [This newly added subsection describes uses of new Cancellation Reason Code 
24.]
Bottom-Line Concerns
With standard-to-PRP conversions likely to become more frequent in the future because 
of the October 1 introduction of code 24, flood insurance agents and WYO companies 
may well wonder how this will impact them. Accordingly, the NFIP has decided that, 
when converting a standard-rated policy to a PRP because of a map revision under code 
24:
 The agent will retain full commission on the canceled standard-rated policy; and
 The WYO company's expense allowance for the standard-rated policy will not be 
reduced.
LFG Section
In the Lowest Floor Guide section, pages LFG 1-2 have been reorganized to help agents 
more quickly and knowledgeably determine the lowest floor for rating a building. The 
information now is broken down into the following short, clearly identified topics:
 Non-Elevated Buildings
 Elevated Buildings in A Zones [including discussions of enclosures with openings, 
alternatives to the "proper openings" (flood vents) requirement, and crawl spaces]
 Elevated Buildings in V Zones
Reorganized text on page LFG 2 makes it easier for agents to understand how flood zone 
and building characteristics govern whether submission of an NFIP Elevation Certificate 
is mandatory or optional.
Community Rating System (CRS) Section
As documented in the October CRS List of Eligible Communities, the CRS has realized a 
net gain of 10 participating communities since May 1. The CRS is the NFIP's incentive-
based program in which communities that exceed minimum standards for flood 
awareness and flood mitigation activities earn premium discounts for local home and 
business owners who insure their property with the NFIP. 
The 10-community increase boosted the CRS List to a new record of 1,016 participating 
communities, which account for fully two-thirds of the 4.4 million NFIP policies in force.
In addition, as shown in the table below, 35 participating communities improved their 
rating classes by completing more CRS-approved activities during the preceding 6 
months.
Noteworthy among those 35 communities was the City of Wilson, North Carolina, which 
completed so many CRS-approved activities that it made a two-tiered jump from Class 9 
to Class 7. Wilson residents located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, who buy or renew 
NFIP flood insurance on or after October 1, will receive a 15-percent discount on their 
premiums.
The other star of the 6-month period was King County, Washington. In moving up from 
Class 4 to Class 3, King County became only the second CRS community to reach that 
level or higher. Effective October 1, King County residents located in a Special Flood 
Hazard Area, who buy or renew NFIP flood insurance, will receive a 35-percent discount 
on their premiums.
For information about recent changes in the activities by which CRS communities can 
earn premium discounts for their residents, see "Floodplain Officials Get CRS Boost" on 
page 25 of this issue.
Other Changes
 APP 3, PRP 5: Added language to clarify that the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) to 
be used when preparing an application for flood insurance is the FIRM that is in effect 
and published when the application is completed and presentment of premium is made.
 RATE 5, CONDO 16: Under the rate table on each of these pages, added a footnote to 
indicate that, in unnumbered A Zones, use of the Elevation Certificate is optional for 
buildings without basement or enclosure. More information on this topic is presented at 
the end of page LFG 2.
	RATE 24, LFG 2, 24-25: Clarified the definition of a crawl space. Provided 
detailed guidelines for rating crawl spaces and determining the lowest floor for rating in a 
building that has a crawl space.
 CBRS Section: Updated the 10-page Coastal Barrier Resources System List of 
Communities. 
 DEF 1, 5: Added the definition of "Alternative Rating" and reinstated the definition of 
"Improvements."
 Table of Contents, Index: Updated these to reflect significant changes in the text.

Michael McFadden has worked with flood insurance for more than 7 years as a member 
of the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent's Technical Assistance and Communications 
Department.

Implementation Criteria for New Cancellation/Nullification Reason Code 24, Effective 
Oct. 1, 2005
The following rules apply to conversion of standard-rated policies to PRPs under new 
Cancellation/Nullification Reason Code 24:
 The flood map revision, LOMA, or LOMR must have become effective on or after 
February 1, 2005.
 The standard-rated policy will be canceled and rewritten as a PRP back to the date when 
the policy was issued.
 WYO companies will use "New/Renewal Indicator Z" to report the new PRP to the 
NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent for TRRP Plan processing.
 Paid premium for the canceled standard-rated policy will be applied to the new PRP. 
All excess premium will be refunded to the policyholder.
 The 30-day waiting period will not apply to the new PRP.


Seeking Nominations for NFIP Awards

Agency of the Year Award
Each year, three insurance agencies are recognized by the NFIP for their efforts to: 
 Achieve superior flood insurance policy growth.
 Implement innovative marketing strategies.
 Participate in flood awareness activities.
 Adhere to established underwriting guidelines.
Information and nomination forms will be available on the NFIP website 
(www.fema.gov/nfip) by the beginning of 2006. Anyone may submit a nomination by 
completing an "Agency of the Year Award" form and sending it, by the end of February, 
to:
	Catherine King
	NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent
	7700 Hubble Drive
	Lanham, MD 20706
All nominations are reviewed by the Selection Committee, made up of representatives 
from the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee, the WYO Marketing 
Committee, and the Flood Insurance Committee of the Institute for Business and Home 
Safety. The three winning agencies will be announced at the next National Flood 
Conference, to be held May 7-10, 2006, at the Wyndham Philadelphia Hotel in 
Pennsylvania.  
Contact Catherine King at the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent for more information 
(catheriner.king@associates.dhs.gov).
Public Awareness Materials Contest
Have you developed materials that help consumers, insurance agents, and others to 
understand the risk of floods and the need for flood insurance? If your answer is "Yes!" 
send a copy of your materials with an entry form for each (available on the NFIP website 
by early 2006) to:
	Kevin Brown
	NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent
	7700 Hubble Drive
	Lanham, MD 20706
All materials submitted will be displayed at the 2006 National Flood Conference. 
Attendees can view the entries and vote for their favorite item in each category-Best 
Printed Marketing Material, Best Advertising Material, Best Training Material, and Best 
Website. Winners will be announced on the final day of the conference.


2005 National Flood Conference
Lynd Morris, NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent 

Following is a series of articles about the NFIP's 2005 National Flood Conference held 
on Marco Island, Florida, May 31-June 3.  
Measuring the Tides of Change
"Clean it up, all that damage! Clean it up..." A reggae beat scored the animated video-
peopled by FEMA and friends-that opened the 22nd National Flood Conference. This 
year's conference theme, "Tides of Change: Reforming the NFIP," was a reference to the 
Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004 and the opportunities it has created for improving 
the NFIP's operations. Mike Moye, former President of the National Lenders Insurance 
Council, reprised his annual role of emcee for the week and introduced each of the 
speakers.
David Maurstad, Acting Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division, welcomed conferees to 
the first general session on June 1, and described how the NFIP has been changing to 
meet the challenges it faced during 2004. 
"Last year the NFIP received nearly 74,000 claims-a record for the program. These 
required almost $1.6 billion to be resolved-another high mark for the program," said 
Maurstad. "Such a significant loss year meant that, by the end of the year, the program 
needed [for only the fourth time since 1990] to exercise its borrowing authority. The 
current forecast is to have the U.S. Treasury repaid-with interest-by the end of 2005. 
Both actions clearly indicate the strong financial health and management of the program."
According to Maurstad, there are three areas in which FEMA is particularly focused in 
effecting change. "Through the Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, we've designed 
supplemental information materials to help policyholders better understand the insurance 
coverage they buy; a policyholder handbook that describes procedures for filing a claim; 
and, an effective formal process by which policyholders may appeal claims decisions," 
Maurstad explained. He added that, once these materials had been tested with focus 
groups and their feedback had been incorporated, the publications would be distributed 
and new processes would be implemented beginning in October 2005.
Agent training is another area being addressed by FEMA. "Recognizing the statutory 
responsibility that State Insurance Departments have for licensing agents across the 
country," said Maurstad, "we are working with the National Association of Insurance 
Commissioners and the National Conference of Insurance Legislators to ensure that 
agents have access to the flood insurance training that is necessary to meet the differing 
requirements in their states."
FloodSmart, the NFIP's public awareness and marketing campaign, has been especially 
successful in promoting flood protection. "Since the initiative began, our policy growth 
rate has risen to nearly 3.8 percent," explained Maurstad, adding that by the beginning of 
June, the NFIP had experienced 10 consecutive months of policy growth-another NFIP 
first.
Maurstad closed by summarizing FEMA's Map Modernization initiative and describing 
one of the cooperative projects under way in Hillsborough, Florida, to ensure that more 
than 40,000 NFIP-insured home and business owners being affected by new flood maps 
are properly informed and given the opportunity to convert to less expensive Preferred 
Risk Policies.
Entering a New Hurricane Season
Noting that he was addressing the audience on June 1, the beginning of the Atlantic 
hurricane season, Florida's Insurance Commissioner, Kevin McCarty, was next to 
welcome conferees to "The Sunshine State"-now sometimes known, he said, as "The 
Plywood State" or "The Blue Tarp State" as a result of the multiple hurricanes that hit 
Florida in 2004.
"If Hurricane Andrew [a killer hurricane that struck Florida in August 1992] was a study 
of what went wrong in a hurricane, then the storms of 2004 demonstrated what went 
well," said McCarty. He was referring to lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew that 
paid off during and after four Category II (or stronger) hurricanes struck Florida in 
September 2004.
Recovery strategies that McCarty credited included:
 Communication-reducing confusion and conflict between 
agents/policyholders/adjusters and between flood and general adjusters
 Coordination-between agents, claim adjusters, the NFIP, Florida's Office of Insurance 
Regulation, and disaster teams
 Efficiency-fewer claims adjusters were available than a decade earlier
 Mitigation-growing evidence indicates that prior mitigation efforts successfully 
protected property owners in 2004
Celebrating 15 Years of Success
During the first general session, the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) was 
recognized for its success in mitigating floodplain losses. Mike Buckley, Acting Deputy 
Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division, described the role of the CRS in FEMA's 
integration of flood insurance and mitigation in administering the NFIP. He pointed out 
that the CRS has become a model for public and private involvement in addressing all-
hazard preparedness and mitigation.
Buckley summarized the history of the CRS, which has grown from 293 participating 
communities in 1991 to 1,016 in 2005. Buckley credited no small part of this success to 
the vision of Frank Reilly (the "father of the CRS"), technical guidance from the 
Insurance Services Office, and the efforts of the CRS Task Force.
Bret Gates, FEMA's CRS Program Manager, described the insurance premium discount 
incentives given to NFIP policyholders when CRS communities undertake mitigation 
projects. The CRS now provides $150 million in discounts to more than 3 million NFIP 
policyholders.
However, according to Gates, the greatest CRS reward is the reduction of flood losses 
that communities realize as a result of increased floodplain management activities. More 
than 70 percent of CRS communities have improved their class since joining, Gates 
noted. Of these, 60 percent require a safety cushion that all new buildings be constructed 
1, 2, or 3 feet above the Base Flood Elevation; 91 percent preserve parts of their 
floodplains as open space; 23 percent have elevated, acquired, or relocated at-risk 
buildings; and 48 percent provide flood protection assistance to home and business 
owners.
Responding to the 2004 Storms
Todd Davison, Mitigation Director for FEMA Region IV, closed the first general session 
of the conference with a description of how the NFIP was successfully integrated into 
FEMA's disaster operations following the hurricanes that hit Florida in September 2004.

An NFIP assistance and outreach plan was developed from the outset that included 
efforts to respond to flood-related questions by recruiting, training, and deploying more 
than 4,000 Disaster Field Office staff in Florida; implementing a toll-free hotline; 
developing a new model floodplain ordinance with Florida that was implemented 
statewide; attending hundreds of community meetings to answer questions; and working 
hard to explain the NFIP's $30,000 Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage to the 
public, local officials, and contractors.
Davison described the ongoing risks of riverine and coastal flooding in Florida's 
floodplain, and their impact on risk assessment and disaster response after Hurricanes 
Charley, Frances, Ivan, and Jeanne last year. 
Town Halls Tackle Hot Issues
On the second day of the conference, five Town Halls met to discuss NFIP procedures, 
policies, and future directions. Most new conferees attended the Town Hall that best 
matched their area of expertise. Experienced conferees were encouraged to attend Town 
Halls in other fields to familiarize themselves with issues that may impact how they 
interact with the NFIP in the future.
All Town Halls addressed questions and comments from those who attended. Following 
are highlights of the issues raised in the Town Hall meetings. 
Floodplain Management/Mapping
Panelists described the Multi-Year Hazard Identification Plan (MHIP) for executing map 
modernization; multi-layer Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) that can 
include orthophotos; and upcoming initiatives such as making Base Flood Elevation data 
and Letters of Map Amendment available online.
Other hot topics were community adoption of new flood maps and efforts to get these to 
local officials long before they become effective; building codes; and CRS changes such 
as the addition of a new activity recognizing promotion and sales of flood insurance, 
increased points for activities that encourage cost sharing for map modernization, and a 
new home study course for Certified Floodplain Managers.
Underwriting
Attendees discussed a range of policy and rating issues such as how to rate two or more 
buildings constructed above the same parking garage; how to rate a building when the 
attached garage and foyer are higher than the living space; and how to rate a "hanging 
enclosure." Whether or not "stem walls" are elevated buildings also was discussed, as 
well as the documentation required for waivers when a building's lowest floor is at or 
above BFE. 
Attendees also explored exceptions to the 30-day waiting period for Residential 
Condominium Building Association Policies (RCBAPs) and whether or not a policy 
could be canceled if the insured were deceased.
Lender
Topics included compliance issues from an auditor standpoint, zone determination 
discrepancies and responsibilities, coverage adequacy, premium adjustments for policies 
written using the wrong zone, determination of replacement cost value, condo coverage, 
and handling of home equity loans. Requests were made for agreement between lending 
regulators on complex procedures for buildings under construction as well as replacement 
cost for condos. Additional requests were made to increase homeowner coverage limits 
above the current $250,000 ceiling.
Claims
Initial discussion focused on customer service and adjuster issues. Attendees underscored 
the importance of understanding the emotional stress flood victims suffer and the extra 
time needed with insureds to evaluate the extent of damage, discuss policy coverage 
exclusions, and inform them about advance payments. 
Additional hot topics included ICC coverage, repetitive losses, adjuster certification, the 
Single Adjuster Program, and restoration companies.
Marketing
Using the format of a WYO Marketing Committee meeting, panelists gave reports about 
the NFIP Evaluation (focusing on the study of mandatory purchase requirements), the 
Rand study on flood insurance market penetration (showing a rate of 50-60 percent in 
SFHAs), and the FloodSmart marketing campaign. By the end of 2005, a secure site for 
insurance agents will be introduced on FloodSmart.gov for access to additional resources.
Filling Out the Program
In addition to the general sessions and Town Halls, conference attendees had a full 
schedule of activities to select from, beginning with the popular opening reception hosted 
by the Pilot family on Tuesday evening and ending with a humorous presentation about 
public-
private partnerships given by Dr. Harry Freedman on Friday morning. 
Technical Workshops
Nearly 40 workshops were presented during the National Flood Conference. Topics 
ranged from "Stemming the Tide of Confused Customers: Agents and Lenders Working 
Together" to "Program Changes Associated with the Enactment of the Flood Insurance 
Reform Act of 2004" to "Navigating the Treacherous Waters of Compliance: Given the 
varied requirements that the regulatory agencies have, how can you best keep your 
portfolio compliant?" and "Coverages from a Claims Perspective." 
One of the most popular workshops-"FloodSmart Family Feud"-drew a standing-
room-only crowd. Attendees were treated to representatives of several WYO companies 
competing against staff from FEMA headquarters to answer questions about flood 
insurance and mitigation. Everyone emerged a winner in this event as laughter and 
applause were followed by a short explanation of the solution to each question presented 
by FloodSmart campaign staff.
Recognizing Excellence
On Thursday, the annual NFIP program awards luncheon began with a delicious meal 
and a stirring video produced for the FloodSmart campaign. Attendees then honored 
several NFIP partners for activities they'd undertaken during Fiscal Year 2004. See 
"Applauding Stakeholder Successes" on page 14 for information about the award 
winners.
Thunderstorms Didn't Deter These Runners and Walkers!
Although the official 5K Run sponsored Thursday morning by the National Lenders 
Insurance Council and the Salvation Army was scrubbed when the fire department 
warned of imminent thunderstorms, dozens of runners and walkers took to their heels to 
race unofficially on behalf of local disaster relief efforts. Todd Davison (FEMA Region 
IV) and Bob Dube (St. Paul Travelers) loped back in first place, and most of the 
remaining runners and dozens of walkers returned and were under shelter before the 
rainfall began. In all, more than $5,700 was raised for the Salvation Army's relief work in 
the Naples area.

See You Next Year!
The 2006 National Flood Conference will be held May 7-10, at the Wyndham Hotel in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 
Who should attend? This conference is designed for insurance agents and representatives 
of insurance companies, flood zone determination companies, and lending institutions; 
State and local officials; claims adjusters, real estate professionals, surveyors; and home 
builders.
Conference materials will be posted on the NFIP web site (www.fema.gov/nfip). For 
more information, contact Catherine King by email (bsa-support@nfipstat.com) or FAX 
(301-918-1498). 
Each year, the NFIP honors a number of stakeholders who've made outstanding 
contributions to the Program. The following NFIP partners were recognized at the 2005 
National Flood Conference for activities they'd undertaken during Fiscal Year 2004-
October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2004.
Agency of the Year Awards
This award is given to three insurance agencies that display innovative marketing 
strategies, increase their flood portfolios, and actively promote flood awareness. This 
year's winners were Gateway Insurance Services, Inc.; Shelley & Associates, Inc.; and 
Warren E. Barhorst Agency, Inc.  For more about these three agencies, see the article on 
page 15.
Administrator's Club and Trophy Awards
The Administrator's Club Award is bestowed upon WYO companies in recognition of 
their contribution to the growth of the NFIP. Winners are divided into five groups, 
representing policy base thresholds. This year's winners were Fidelity National Property 
& Casualty Insurance, Southern Family Insurance Company, First Insurance Company of 
Hawaii, Federated National Insurance Group, and Sunshine State Insurance Company.
Each year, the company that experienced the highest percentage of overall growth in the 
previous year is awarded the Administrator's Club Trophy. The Administrator's Club 
Trophy winner was United Surety & Indemnity Company.
Administrator's Quill Award
This award recognizes the WYO company with the highest percentage of overall growth, 
excluding rewritten policies. The Administrator's Quill Award was given this year to 
Fidelity National Property & Casualty Insurance.
Special Tribute
The awards luncheon closed with a special recognition of Bob Ross, who, while working 
with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, was a founding member and former 
chair of the Flood Insurance Producers National Committee and emcee of many past 
National Flood Conferences. Although he was unable to attend this year's flood 
conference for health reasons, Ross was present in the memories shared by many at the 
conference.
"If David McCullough ever writes a history of the NFIP, one of the chapters will be 
devoted to Bob Ross," said FEMA Senior Advisor Ed Pasterick, who described some of 
Ross's contributions, adding that Ross 

tirelessly championed agent education in his decades of work with the NFIP.
"More than anybody, he kept the Feds on their toes," Pasterick continued. "If Bob raised 
an issue, nobody rested until Bob got an answer." According to Pasterick, Ross resolved 
many issues of importance to agents and insureds.
"Beyond that, Bob is a gentleman and a friend and one of the most wonderful people I've 
ever met," concluded Pasterick. "It would be impossible to come to Florida and not 
recognize Bob Ross and his contributions to the NFIP." 
Each time insurance agents sell a flood policy, they may not think of themselves as 
essential parts of the NFIP. But they are. FEMA relies on the hard work, creativity, and 
initiative of thousands of insurance professionals to promote the coverage that will help 
property owners begin the process of recovery if they become flood victims. 
At the National Flood Conference each year, FEMA honors three insurance agencies for 
the work they've undertaken on behalf of the NFIP. Agencies are nominated for this 
honor on the basis of their flood portfolio growth during the previous year, the marketing 
strategies they've used to increase flood insurance policy sales, activities they've 
undertaken to promote flood awareness, and their adherence to NFIP underwriting 
guidelines. 
Every Agency of the Year Award winner is selected for the innovation and dedication 
they demonstrate in achieving the NFIP's goals of protection from flood losses. These 
award winners exemplify this successful 
public-private partnership that benefits millions of property owners in the U.S. and its 
territories.
Gateway Insurance Services, Inc.
Gateway Insurance Services, Inc., of Elizabeth City, North Carolina, had 1,070 NFIP 
policies in force by the end of 2004. The agency's 401 new policies represented a 60-
percent increase over the previous year. 
There are 10 people-working out of five Gateway Insurance Services offices located in 
North Carolina's floodprone Outer Banks-who contribute to the agency's flood 
insurance sales effort. Every home and business owner is offered flood insurance as part 
of the agency's initial quoting process. Homeowners are given specific quotes based on 
their lenders' appraisal. 
Mike Shafer, manager of Gateway Insurance Services, reports that, initially, most 
homeowners believe they do not need to have flood insurance coverage. However, after 
local flood hazards have been explained to them by an agency representative, 99.9 
percent of Gateway Insurance Services customers choose to purchase NFIP insurance. In 
fact, although it is this agency's policy to request that customers sign a waiver form if 
they choose not to purchase coverage, according to Shafer, the agency has not had to 
invoke this policy for several years. And once a customer has purchased a flood policy, 
Gateway Insurance Services representatives work hard to ensure that it is retained. For 
example, all renewal flood clients are contacted by telephone or letter when the agency 
receives a notice of NFIP policy expiration. 
Stakeholder education is an important part of Gateway Insurance Services' marketing 
strategy, and the agency focuses extra attention on providing insurance training to real 
estate agents. According to Shafer, twice in 2004, the agency was selected to provide 
monthly classes to the Board of Realtors pre-licensing school to help agents avoid E & O 
claims. Discussion during these classes centered on coastal property insurance, 
highlighting flood coverage issues such as map changes and how these can affect 
property sales. 
Because lenders, mortgage bankers, and attorneys can be sources of leads for flood 
insurance, Gateway Insurance Services representatives make "house calls" to these 
professionals and leave information regarding coverage requirements for coastal property 
owners. The agency also works closely with area contractors and is a member of the local 
Homebuilders Association. In addition, agency manager Shafer is a member of the 
Planning Board for the Town of Nags Head, which reviews all residential and 
commercial projects needing building permits. From this position and with the NFIP 
requirements in mind, Shafer has been able to influence the design standards included in 
local subdivision guidelines, especially in regard to limiting enclosures below buildings. 
The Board also has addressed minimizing the flood exposure of property located near or 
in the floodplain by making zoning changes to limit the amount of fill allowed on these 
lots.
Shelley & Associates, Inc.
The Shelley & Associates agency of West Palm Beach, Florida, experienced a 298-
percent increase in new flood policies in 2004, closing the year with 834 flood policies in 
force. More than half of these were new NFIP policies. Four people contribute to the 
overall marketing and selling of flood insurance policies.
Flood hazard awareness and NFIP marketing strategies at Shelley & Associates are 
focused on the agency's new homeowner clients. Prospecting letters that include a 
premium quote and a flood zone determination report that shows the zone in which his or 
her property is located are sent to all new clients. Extra care is given to ensure that 
property owners whose buildings are in moderate-risk zones are aware that they are not 
"out of a flood zone" and are urged to protect themselves against flood losses, because 
more than 25 percent of flooding occurs in B, C, and X zones. 
To ensure that customers who do not have flood insurance are aware of their increased 
exposure to flood losses, the agency places FEMA's "Notice! This policy does not cover 
flood loss" sticker on the declarations page of homeowners policies before they are 
mailed. Those clients who choose not to purchase a flood policy must sign a waiver form. 
Last year, Shelley & Associates took further steps to inform their uninsured clients about 
their vulnerability to flood losses by conducting a direct-mail campaign targeting 
homeowners policy customers.
Warren E. Barhorst Agency, Inc.
By the end of 2004, the Warren E. Barhorst Agency in Houston, Texas, had 1,027 NFIP 
policies in force. With 463 new flood policies during the year, the agency increased its 
flood policy count by more than 63 percent over that of 2003. 
Agency owner Warren Barhorst uses a number of strategies to broaden flood awareness 
and increase NFIP policy sales for his agency. Marketing, selling, and servicing 
operations are conducted by 50 agency personnel in several offices, although new flood 
policy sales are written primarily by four producers. Their marketing focus is on cross-
selling flood insurance to those homeowner clients who don't already carry it. In 
addition, all new homeowner clients are offered the opportunity to purchase flood 
insurance policies. 
All agency personnel are encouraged to learn about flood insurance issues and take 
initiative in NFIP policy growth. Barhorst has conducted internal agency-wide flood 
insurance sales contests for his sales representatives, and created a Flood Producer of the 
Year Award to recognize excellence among his staff.
In 2004, the agency conducted several direct-mail campaigns to promote flood insurance. 
Letters providing key facts about local flood hazards and information about NFIP flood 
coverage were tailored to residential and business clients. In addition, NFIP brochures 
and promotional literature produced by its WYO company, Nationwide Mutual Fire 
Insurance Co., were distributed to improve client awareness of flood risk.  
Barhorst has taken flood education into the community by offering presentations to a 
number of local real estate and mortgage companies about home and flood insurance. A 
simple yet effective strategy the agency uses to promote public awareness of the hazard is 
to display flood awareness and marketing messages on a marquee sign that faces a 
heavily used road in front of the agency's headquarters. Additionally, the agency runs 
flood ads in the Houston newspaper. 

Lynd Morris has worked with the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent as a 
communications specialist since 1983 and has been the writer and publication coordinator 
for the Watermark for nearly 8 years.

Agents Save with the Co-Op Program

The NFIP Agent Co-Op Program has experienced tremendous growth as part of the 
FloodSmart campaign-thanks to more than 200 agents who participate in this co-
operative advertising program. By the end of June 2005, FloodSmart had pre-approved 
more than $1 million in reimbursements for agents who placed radio spots, black & white 
and color newspaper ads, and Yellow Pages ads carrying FloodSmart messages. 
During 2005, the campaign introduced new incentives and revisions to the NFIP Agent 
Co-Op Program to make it easier for agents to advertise on a regular basis. Now, in just a 
few quick steps, agents can request reimbursement funds. Beginning in August 2005, 
agents became eligible for pre-approval of $1,250 a month and up to $15,000 a year in 
reimbursement funds through the Co-Op Program. 

The Agent Co-Op Program continually offers new advertising concepts and special 
incentives. This is a win-win program for agents and for FloodSmart. By pooling 
resources to get the message out, we can remind more consumers nationwide about the 
importance of protecting their property from floods. 
To get started and learn more about upcoming agent incentives, visit 
www.FloodSmart.gov/agents.


Funny, It Doesn't LOOK Like a Floodplain!
David Schein, FEMA
To many stakeholders, the NFIP's floodplain determination process is somewhat of a 
mystery. Many people think they know what a floodplain is, and perhaps even what one 
looks like, and they often wonder how floodplains are delineated on the NFIP's Flood 
Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). It is a good question.
To answer it, we first have to understand that nature and statutory or regulatory 
requirements don't always fit together neatly. Ideally, they should, but in the case of 
flood hazard delineations, we have to know a little bit about both hydrologic and 
hydraulic engineering methods, and fluvial geomorphology. Don't get scared. I said "a 
little bit."
Mother Nature's Work
Nature designs floodplains to carry excess water, water that overflows the natural 
conveyance system, such as rivers and streams and creeks and ditches (and ponds and 
lakes as well). These floodplains usually are easy for the lay observer to identify in the 
field. They look different than their surrounding geography. They are generally flat, to be 
sure, and more or less follow the natural stream bank or shoreline. There may be a scarp 
(escarpment) or natural drop-off from the slightly higher land adjacent to the floodplain, 
and these features are often called benches or beaches. 
The vegetation in a floodplain is usually different, too. Certain trees like to get their feet 
wet from time to time, like cottonwoods and willows, so the geomorphic floodplain is 
typically inhabited by these water-tolerant species. Oaks, on the other hand, will almost 
never naturally occupy soils that experience periodic inundation. The soils are derived 
from sediment deposited by floods, and they are typically very uniform, highly 
compacted, and clayey. These are characteristics of the geomorphic floodplain, a visible 
and describable physical feature.
Floodplains are FIRMly Planted on Paper
The floodplains that are designated on FIRMs as Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs) 
may or may not look like the scene described above. Very often, they are not noticeably 
different from the surrounding geography. This is because the SFHA is a statistical 
probability notion, per our regulations. A line on a FIRM separating what is "in" the 
floodplain from what is "out" of the floodplain does not always correspond to a 
recognizable ground feature or vegetation zone. It really just serves as an approximate 
dividing line between areas that have different statistical probabilities of being flooded. 
As people who have lived through floods know-floods are not always statistically 
oriented. Thus, the dividing line on a FIRM between the SFHA and the rest of the world 
is established by a bunch of engineers getting together and modeling the watershed's 
runoff characteristics and determining how friction losses at encroachments (such as 
bridges, dams, culverts, fill, and buildings) affect the water surface elevation of the 1-
percent-annual-chance flood event (sometimes erroneously called the "100-year" flood). 
The line marking the floodplain on the FIRM is established with the best available (and 
affordable) topographic information. 
That said, the important thing to keep in mind is that water doesn't have to stop when it 
reaches ANY line on a map! Even the observable geomorphic floodplain limit may not 
confine large floods-an excellent reason for residential and commercial property owners 
in low- to moderate-risk flood zones to purchase the NFIP's very affordable Preferred 
Risk Policy. To put it another way, there are nature's floodplains, and FEMA engineers' 
floodplains. Someone's got to make the call, so when dealing with the NFIP, the 
engineers have to be the ones. But, an educated prediction is not a guarantee. When you 
are gambling with Mother Nature, it is better to be safe than sorry.

David Schein, who holds both bachelor's and master's degrees in Geography from the 
University of Illinois, is the Senior Program Manager in the Hazard Identification and 
Risk Assessment Branch in FEMA's Region V Office in Chicago.



Floods After Fires
Lynd Morris, NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent
Fires and floods may not seem to have much in common, but the connection between 
them can be dangerously direct. When winter and spring rains fall on soil that has been 
scorched by wildfires the previous summer and fall, the rapid runoff can easily produce 
flash flooding. And if heavy rains inundate steep, fire-stripped hillsides, the earth can 
become saturated, multiplying the risk of mudflows and landslides. 
Fire Recovery
Each public land management agency is responsible for Burned Area Emergency 
Rehabilitation (BAER) efforts after a fire. Through reseeding the land, mulching, placing 
erosion barriers, and breaking up damaged forest soils, BAER teams help prevent future 
disasters in areas that have become susceptible to flooding and mudslides. 
Although burned areas can never be returned to their pre-fire condition, BAER teams can 
help stabilize soil, protect watersheds and habitat, and prevent irreversible loss of natural 
and cultural resources to floods and mudslides. However, it can take years for scorched 
land to recover sufficiently to resist flooding and mudslides, and during this time property 
owners located in or near the burned areas may find themselves in harm's way.
FEMA Outreach to Those at Risk
In the 5-year period from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2004, hundreds of wildfires 
scorched land in many parts of the United States. Of these, 262 fires were so severe that 
Presidential Fire Management Assistance Declarations were made to provide federal 
assistance-including grants, equipment, supplies, and personnel-to State and local 
governments for the mitigation, management, and control of these fires on public or 
private forest land and grassland. 
FEMA Region IX
More than 30 percent of the Presidential Fire Management Assistance Declarations in the 
first 5 years of this millennium were in FEMA Region IX (Arizona, California, Guam, 
Hawaii, and Nevada), and two-thirds of these were made in California. 
At the end of 2003, after a series of nine late-October wildfires in Southern California, 
FEMA conducted a public awareness campaign in the five affected counties. Post-Fire 
Advisory Flood Hazard Maps were distributed to show the increased short-term flood 
risk in and around the burn areas. Additional outreach materials explained that, although 
numerous federal, state, and local agencies were taking measures on hills and 
mountainsides to protect property and lives, it would be an estimated 3 to 5 years before 
vegetation would recover enough to lessen the likelihood of increased water run-off in 
the burned areas. Property owners were urged to learn more about flood insurance 
protection through the NFIP. 
Several post-fire public forums sponsored by the State of California and workshops 
conducted by the California State Insurance Commissioner in the wake of these 
devastating wildfires featured FEMA representatives who spoke about increased flood 
risk and under-
insurance issues.
FEMA Region VIII
Nearly 23 percent of the 262 Presidential Fire Management Assistance Declarations 
made during the 5 years from 2000 through 2004 resulted from fires in FEMA Region 
VIII-Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. In 2004, 
FEMA conducted a post-fire flood awareness campaign in this region by distributing fact 
sheets that warned about increased flood risks in the aftermath of dozens of wildfires in 
the previous 4 years. 
An entire page on the FEMA Region VIII website (www.fema.gov/ 
regions/viii/fires.shtm) presents dozens of resources and links to information about 
wildfires and flooding.
FEMA Region X 
With more than 14 percent of the 262 Presidential Fire Management Assistance 
Declarations made during the 5-year period, FEMA Region X (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, 
and Washington) also has responded to the threat of post-fire flooding. This region 
conducts ongoing public awareness efforts to alert consumers about the connection 
between fires and floods. In a May 2005 press release distributed to media outlets 
throughout the region to announce the beginning of summer wildfire season, FEMA 
Region X Director John Pennington warned residents that "Wildfires and prolonged 
drought conditions strip slopes of groundcover and harden soils, increasing the risk of 
flash floods, allowing them to strike suddenly, with higher velocity and greater debris 
loads." He reminded consumers that, "You don't need 

to live in a high-risk flood zone to be at risk from flash floods." 
A Widespread Problem
Wildfires and the flood risk that follows are not just phenomena of the Western United 
States. Altogether, 27 states had fires extensive enough to require Presidential Fire 
Management Assistance Declarations from 2000 through 2004. Included among these 
were states in the Mid-Atlantic, Gulf Coast, Midwest, and Plains, as well as Alaska and 
Hawaii. 
Not every wildfire will be followed by flooding, but, because the flood risk increases 
after wildfires and because it takes several years to lower that risk through reforestation, 
it is useful to see where fires have occurred and where the risk of post-fire flooding may 
be present. The table on page 20 lists FEMA's 27 Presidential Fire Management 
Assistance Declarations in the 5-year period between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 
2004.
Finding More Resources
For more information about wildfires in general, visit the U.S. Fire Administration 
section of the FEMA website (www.usfa.fema.gov/) or the FEMA Region page 
(www.fema.gov/ regions/) for fire and flood information specific to your state. FEMA 
Region VIII's wildfire page (www.fema. gov/regions/viii/fires.shtm) provides dozens of 
resources about wildfire preparedness, including their downloadable fire-flood fact sheet 
(www.fema.gov/regions/viii/firesandfloods.shtm). The website of the National 
Wildland/Urban Interface Fire Program (www.firewise.org/), a consortium of wildland 
fire organizations, offers a variety of publications, links, and other resources about 
preparing for, surviving, recovering from, and mitigating fires. 

Lynd Morris has worked with the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent as a 
communications specialist since 1983 and has been the writer and publication coordinator 
for the Watermark for nearly 8 years.

Presidential Fire Management Assistance Declarations
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2004

State	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	Total
Alabama	1	1	0	0	0	2
Alaska	0	1	0	0	3	4
Arizona	0	0	6	3	2	11
California	0	0	12	16	21	49
Colorado	3	1	20	5	2	31
Florida	10	9	0	0	0	19
Georgia	0	1	0	0	0	1
Hawaii	1	0	0	1	1	3
Kentucky	2	3	0	0	0	5
Louisiana	1	0	0	0	0	1
Minnesota	1	0	1	0	0	2
Missouri	1	0	0	0	0	1
Montana	6	0	0	7	0	13
Nevada	2	3	3	4	4	16
New Jersey	0	0	1	0	0	1
New Mexico	5	1	9	2	2	19
Oklahoma	3	0	0	1	0	4
Oregon	0	1	8	3	2	14
South Carolina	0	1	1	0	0	2
South Dakota	2	1	1	1	0	5
Tennessee	2	2	0	0	0	4
Texas	17	2	0	0	0	19
Utah	0	1	1	1	1	4
Virginia	0	3	1	0	0	4
Washington	3	8	2	1	5	19
West Virginia	0	2	0	0	0	2
Wyoming	1	3	3	0	0	7
Total	61	44	69	45	43	262

Get FloodSmart This Winter

Each winter, the NFIP's FloodSmart campaign reminds consumers and agents about the 
risks of winter flooding and the benefits of flood insurance, with a focus on California 
and the Pacific Northwest. 
A pop song once misadvised, "It never rains in Southern California." However, the winter 
rainy season brings flooding to the West Coast year after year due to loss of ground cover 
from wildfires, melting mountain snow and ice, overburdened drainage systems, and 
changes in the landscape from booming construction. 
The Los Angeles Times, San Diego Tribune, San Jose Mercury News, and San Francisco 
Examiner are a few of the media outlets that have covered the need for flood insurance 
during winter months. Last winter, FloodSmart's media coverage in California and 
surrounding states reached a circulation of more than 9 million readers with the message 
of flood preparedness. 
The FloodSmart campaign not only communicates successfully with the media, but also 
reaches out to insurance agents on the West Coast through their WYO companies, agent 
associations, and trade publications-reminding agents to talk to their clients about 
winter flooding.
The winter rainy season in the West extends through February each year, so the time has 
come to remind consumers of their risk of winter flooding. For more information about 
FloodSmart's winter weather outreach and seasonal agent incentives, visit 
www.FloodSmart.gov/agents or send an email message to FloodSmart@ogilvypr.com.

Ask the Experts Q&As: Defining Moments
Susan Bernstein, FEMA


A lot of questions about insurance, any insurance, hinge on how the risk is defined. In 
this article, I want to talk about a few recent questions to the NFIP "Ask the Experts" 
team in which the answers hinged on FEMA's definitions of flood conditions and coastal 
insurance issues.
"Flood, Mudslide, or Mudflow?" 
Question: I am underwriting a loan for a property that is not located in a Special Flood 
Hazard Area. I am considering requiring flood insurance due to the fact that during the 
recent rainy season a portion of the property's yard and the neighboring parcel at the top 
of the rear slope has fallen, and the fallen slope borders a neighboring parcel that has a 
swimming pool edging the subject property. If there is another severe rainstorm and a 
mudslide occurs, or the neighbor's swimming pool collapses and floods the borrower's 
house, would the damage be covered by flood insurance? 
Answer: It sounds like your decision will call into play two of our definitions, "flood" 
and "mudflow." Remember, it all depends on circumstances; no one can adjust a claim 
before it happens, but here are the variables. And, as always, it's safer for collateral to be 
protected with insurance. 
Let's start with "flood." The NFIP defines a "flood" as "a general and temporary 
condition of partial or complete inundation of two or more acres of normally dry land 
area or of two or more properties (at least one of which is the policyholder's property) 
from: overflow of inland or tidal waters; unusual and rapid accumulation or runoff of 
surface waters from any source; or mudflow; or collapse or subsidence of land along the 
shore of a lake or similar body of water as a result of erosion or undermining caused by 
waves or currents of water exceeding anticipated cyclical levels that result in a flood as 
defined above." Depending on the circumstances, if the pool were to collapse, overflow, 
or crack and dump all its water, and it affected two or more properties, an NFIP flood 
insurance policy might pay for covered damages. 
If a pool, levee, dam, or other containment of water collapses and mixes with dirt from 
the slope, coverage will depend on how wet the mud is. Basically, this type of thing is 
judged on a case-by-case basis, looking at the water content. The NFIP flood insurance 
policy covers mudflow but not mudslide. We define "mudflow" as "A river of liquid and 
flowing mud on the surfaces of normally dry land areas, as when earth is carried by a 
current of water. Other earth movements, such as landslide, slope failure, or a saturated 
soil mass moving by liquidity down a slope, are not mudflows." You can see the 
difference-it's basically a ratio of water to dirt. 
From your description, it sounds as though it probably would be a good idea to make sure 
both a flood insurance and a homeowners policy are in place. 
"Is a Tsunami a Flood?"
Question: You have lots of interesting information on your website about tsunamis, 
including how to prepare for them. But-I don't know if damage caused by a tsunami is 
considered a flood?  
Answer: Generally, a tsunami would fit us to a "T." Due to the location of most fault 
lines (since most tsunamis are related to earthquakes) and the way the waves tend to form 
and travel, few have hit the mainland U.S. However, Alaska and Hawaii are vulnerable. 
California and the rest of the west coast are exposed to a lesser degree. 
 A tsunami fits our description of a "flood." You can find the definition of a flood in the 
NFIP flood insurance policy on the NFIP website (www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/dp126.pdf). 
Scroll to page 3, which is the first page of the NFIP Dwelling Policy. 
"Making Sure This Cobra Doesn't Bite"
Question: We are looking at buying property on the coast of North Carolina and we 
would like to inquire about the requirements for homes on the coast and surrounding 
areas. We currently live in Florida and are required to carry flood and windstorm 
insurance; does the same apply for North Carolina? 
Answer: Well, I can give you the basics about the NFIP and coastal property in North 
Carolina, some of what you need to think about when buying a home. Since you are 
coming from Florida, you probably know the basics of NFIP flood insurance 
requirements: (1) if your community participates in the NFIP, and (2) your property is in 
a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), then (3) you may be required to get flood 
insurance to protect the home if (4) your lender is federally regulated. Finally, (5) you'll 
need to know about a land designation sometimes called "Cobra"-the Coastal Barrier 
Resources Area (CBRA) within the Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS). Let's 
address each of these considerations individually.
1.	Community participation in the NFIP-The NFIP is a two-way street. If the 
community joins, it is required to begin mitigating future flood damage by preventing 
construction in the floodplain and by applying building codes that decrease the risk of 
flood damage. At the same time, FEMA allows insurance companies to sell flood 
insurance in the community. Since it is difficult for insurers to cover themselves against 
flood losses (floods do a lot more damage than fires and burglary, which are covered by 
homeowners insurance, so it's generally too high a risk for insurance companies to cover 
flood losses without the NFIP's assistance), this allows them to offer coverage at 
reasonable prices to homeowners. Thus, if the community participates, you can get NFIP-
backed insurance from your insurer and your lender may require you to purchase flood 
coverage. You can check a community's participation status by going to 
www.fema.gov/fema/csb.shtm. Simply click on "North Carolina," and then search for 
your community's name. If your town is on the list, it participates in the NFIP. In the 
right hand column, you can find out how long it has been part of the Program. 
2.The SFHA-The SFHA is the area that has the highest risk of being flooded [see the 
related article on page 18]. The SFHA often includes coastal properties as well as those in 
river valleys. If you are moving to coastal North Carolina, your new home will probably 
be in the SFHA. Many coastal homes are built on stilts nowadays, so the living quarters 
are above the base flood line. Some are pretty high up, and look a little odd, but it is 
beautiful up there and a lot safer. If you choose a home on stilts, remember that the lower 
area beneath the living quarters needs to be kept open so that water can flow through 
without any barrier. Usually these areas are used as carports, or contain beach showers, 
etc. Any electrical items, etc., must be kept high up or your flood insurance costs will 
rise. It makes sense to keep the important and more costly items above the flood line as 
there is less chance they will be damaged in a flood. And, naturally, keeping valuable 
property in elevated parts of the building keeps annual insurance premiums lower. 
3.	Flood insurance-A lot of people complain about flood insurance, but it's a good 
thing to have if you live in an area that is prone to  flooding as flooding is not covered by 
homeowners insurance. If you live outside the SFHA, you may be eligible for a Preferred 
Risk Policy. Your insurance agent can tell you more about this lower-cost option. Agents 
in coastal North Carolina know about flood insurance or should. If you want to find an 
agent, all you need is an address and ZIP Code. Visit www.FloodSmart.gov (where you 
also can find some good background information about flood risk and protection) and 
choose Step 5-"Find an Agent"-from the box on the upper right of the home page. On 
the next screen, enter the full property address in the left 
column. You'll next see a list of agents in that area who want to help answer your flood 
insurance questions. You can also reduce your premium costs by mitigating potential 
damage by keeping the lower part of a raised home clear, or moving your water heater 
higher. Find out more about flood mitigation by visiting that section of the NFIP's 
website (www.fema.gov/ nfip/floodprev.shtm).
4.Lenders-Federally regulated lenders must check to see whether the home you are 
purchasing is in the SFHA and, if it is, the lender is required to make sure you get flood 
insurance. This information should be available before you close, to avoid surprising you. 
But it's best to know a lot about the home, and not expect others to make sure. Just a 
word to the wise.
5.	The CBRS-There are protected areas throughout the United States, from 
Michigan to Florida and California to New Jersey, including many in North Carolina. 
This means that because of the protected flora and fauna and the fragile ecological 
balance, Congress has decided that federally backed loans will not be available in those 
areas. People who don't need a loan to buy property and are willing to live without flood 
protection can buy property there. You can take a look at the CBRS information in the 
Flood Insurance Manual pages of the NFIP website (www.fema.gov/pdf/nfip/ 
manual2005_10/mainedition/
18cbrs.pdf. This section of the manual provides some background about the CBRS as 
well as a list of communities with coastal barrier areas. You can find additional 
information in the CBRA section of the NFIP website (www.fema. gov/nfip/cobra.shtm). 
The CBRS is actually regulated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service 
(www.fws.gov/), which also has coastal barrier information on its website 
(ipl.unm.edu/cwl/fedbook/cbra.html).

Susan Bernstein is the Editor of Watermark and also the FEMA Mitigation Division 
Legal Liaison to WYO Companies and the FEMA Office of General Counsel. She's been 
handling WYO flood insurance lawsuits for nearly 9 years.




Floodplain Officials Get CRS Boost

For more than 15 years, the NFIP's Community Rating System (CRS) has supported 
local officials in their efforts to protect residents and natural resources within the 
floodplain. In addition to offering incentives that make compliance with floodplain 
regulation more attractive to community residents and businesses, the CRS provides 
technical guidance for promoting public awareness of the flood hazard, improving 
mapping and regulations, reducing flood damage, and preparing for flood disasters. 
Staying Informed
CRS technical guidance comes in several forms: online and resident training (see sidebar 
at right) and a number of reference documents. The essential CRS publication is the CRS 
Coordinator's Manual, a document that spells out the details for earning credit for each 
eligible activity and includes processing forms and an array of associated resource 
materials. The manual is available online at the CRS Resource Center (www.
training.fema.gov/emiweb/CRS/). 
Every 2-3 years the CRS Coordinator's Manual is updated to reflect enhancements to the 
program as well as adjustments to the amount of credit given for floodplain activities that 
earn greater premium discounts for property owners. Below is a table that provides 
highlights of the most recent CRS Coordinator's Manual changes to the numbered 
activities that earn CRS credit. 


Online and Resident CRS Training
Every year FEMA's Emergency Management Institute (EMI) offers dozens of floodplain 
management and CRS training programs at its national center in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 
These are oriented to local building, zoning, planning, and engineering officials. Tuition 
for these courses is free for state and local government officials, and travel stipends are 
available. For more information, visit the EMI website 
(training.fema.gov/emiweb/is/crslist.asp), call EMI (800-238-3358), or contact the 
training office of your state emergency management agency.
EMI also manages a variety of home or independent study courses. More information 
about these and how to enroll is available on the EMI website.



Adjuster Certification
Joyce King, NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent

In the aftermath of a flood, claims adjusters play an essential role in helping NFIP 
policyholders begin the process of recovery. Because many people only study the details 
of their coverage after they have sustained a loss, claims adjusters often find themselves 
in the position of answering complex questions about coverage and recovery options. 
These conversations often take place while the adjuster also is trying to assess the flood 
victim's property damage-a challenging task when the adjuster frequently must also 
distinguish flood-related damage from damage caused by other types of perils before 
determining the costs involved.
 Since they are in the position of interpreting and explaining coverage issues to the 
policyholders, adjusters must have a broad knowledge of the Standard Flood Insurance 
Policy (SFIP) coverage. It is the adjuster whose careful and responsive handling of a 
claim will influence how quickly it is processed and paid. And it is the adjuster's ability 
to listen with patience and consideration and to answer coverage questions with clarity 
that will influence the insured's willingness to continue to do business with those 
providing coverage: the Write Your Own (WYO) company and the NFIP.
Claims Seminars Offer Specialized NFIP Training
Every year, the NFIP offers more than two dozen claims seminars around the country for 
adjusters. These seminars are designed to provide adjusters with information about new 
changes in flood insurance coverage and adjustment procedures. In 2006, 25 claims 
seminars will be presented between January and June. Multiple seminars will be offered 
in Florida, Texas, and California because these three states are so large. Additional claims 
seminars are scheduled throughout the year at the request of WYO companies and claims 
adjustment firms.
Claims seminar presentations center around the three forms of the SFIP: the Dwelling 
Policy, the General Property Form, and the Residential Condominium Building 
Association Policy (RCBAP). In addition to providing general information about each 
policy, special emphasis is placed on general conditions of flooding and substantial-
damage issues as well as the complexity of claims processing concerns relating to 
basements, elevated buildings, and condominium coverage. Each seminar also addresses 
the Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) coverage and how it relates to the community 
administration of floodplain management laws or ordinances. Other topics include 
mitigation options available under ICC, and the technical assistance available to state and 
local officials following a flooding event. 
Certification
The NFIP maintains a database of independent adjusters who are certified to adjust flood 
claims under policies issued by the NFIP Servicing Agent and the WYO companies who 
use the services of independent adjusters. 
To receive claims certification, adjusters must meet the minimum qualifications 
established by the NFIP. Although there are several certification categories that require 
different degrees of experience, all NFIP-
certified adjusters are asked to attend one of the Program's claims seminars each year to 
stay up to date with changes in underwriting and claims procedures and to maintain 
certification. Several states accept attendance at the NFIP claims seminar for Continuing 
Education credit.
To apply for certification, or for more information about claims adjusting, seminar 
participation, or sponsoring an on-site claims presentation, visit the adjuster section of the 
NFIP website (www.fema.gov/nfip/
claimsadj.shtm). 
Visit the NFIP's website at www.fema.gov/nfip for information about upcoming claims 
seminars, NFIP publications, and access to the entire text of the Flood Insurance Manual, 
which contains explanations of all NFIP policies as well as coverage limitations.

Joyce King has worked as a claims specialist with the NFIP since 1980 and has been the 
Claims Director at the NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent for nearly 11 years. 


FEMA Webcast Briefs Insurance Commissioners 
Harriette Kinberg, FEMA
An hour-long webcast/teleconference was held on Wednesday, July 13, featuring David 
Maurstad, Acting Director of FEMA's Mitigation Division, who talked with state 
insurance commissioners and their staffs about insurance agent training and the NFIP.
The webcast was introduced and conducted by Ed Connor, Chief of Industry Relations in 
the Mitigation Division. The subject was Section 207 of the Flood Insurance Reform Act 
(FIRA) of 2004 and how states can implement flood insurance training and education 
requirements. 
Maurstad explained FIRA and its significance to the NFIP. He also discussed FEMA's 
commitment to respecting states' authority and providing technical assistance to them 
through internet training and live workshops for agents. He emphasized the "bottom 
line"-Congress expects all agents who sell NFIP flood insurance to be well versed in the 
subject, and FEMA looks to the states to support that mandate with appropriate training 
requirements. He also responded to a variety of questions during the webcast. 
Guest Experts
The FEMA personnel were joined by Diane Koken, Insurance Commis-sioner for the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and President of the National Association of Insurance 
Commissioners (NAIC). She talked about the consumer protection role of insurance 
regulators and
Pennsylvania's activities in support of the NFIP. 
Eric Nordman, Director of Research, NAIC, spoke of the need for "transparency" in the 
NFIP. Nordman sees the role of state insurance commissioners and legislators as one of 
solving problems. He noted that similar state requirements for agent training are needed 
for crop insurance, and that it will be a challenge for states to determine the best way to 
track compliance with FIRA. These issues were to be addressed at the September 2005 
NAIC meeting. 
Candace Thorson, Director of Legislative Affairs, National Conference of Insurance 
Legislators (NCOIL), discussed NCOIL's support of the NFIP over the years. She noted 
that one of the offshoots of that relationship was the development, production, and 
distribution to state legislators in 2002 of Rising Waters, Mounting Challenges to Flood 
Prevention, Protection and Assistance: A Legislator's Guide to Flood Insurance. (Contact 
Watermark editor, Susan Bernstein, for a copy.) NCOIL's model law, the State Flood 
Disaster Mitigation and Relief Model Act, includes language that states can use to readily 
adopt a flood insurance training requirement.
	Ed Connor asked webcast participants how their states will track agent 
compliance with the training requirement. Responses varied from "We can easily do that" 
to "We'll ask insurance companies to do it." Some participants wanted to know whether 
Federal funds will be available to states for this purpose.
In Closing
Connor spoke of the development of state flood insurance training requirements for 
agents and the benefits from well-formulated training goals and programs. He assured 
webcast participants that training development and implementation will be a joint activity 
of FEMA, state insurance departments, and the insurance industry. He closed the webcast 
by offering states assistance with their endeavors. He mentioned some of the tools and 
contacts available to help state legislators and the public: NFIP State Coordinators, the 
NFIP Consumer Hotline (800-427-4661), and online and on-site NFIP Agent Training 
(see page 30 for a list of upcoming workshops being offered around the U.S.).

Harriette Kinberg is a Program Specialist serving in FEMA's Mitigation Division, 
Industry Relations Staff. She has worked with the NFIP for many years in a variety of 
positions. 



Re:Sources
Watermark seeks to serve its readers with as wide a variety of resources as possible. We 
remain dedicated to disseminating information about flood insurance. As our readership 
expands to include more engineers, surveyors, and community planners, we hope to 
increase the available resources to ensure that all of our stakeholders can provide 
themselves, their clients, and their community members with the tools needed to better 
protect against flood losses.
We offer this information for reference but do not necessarily endorse any organization, 
product, or service. Unless otherwise noted, resources cited are free of charge. Website 
addresses may have changed since this edition of Watermark went to press.
Publications
The Natural and Beneficial Functions of Floodplains: Reducing Flood Losses by 
Protecting and Restoring the Floodplain Environment 
This report to Congress by the Task Force on the Natural and Beneficial Functions of the 
Floodplain identifies the natural functions of floodplains and how they can reduce flood 
losses, and offers recommendations for further actions communities can take to restore 
floodplains to their original use. This item, FEMA Document 409, can be ordered by 
calling the FEMA Distribution Center at 800-480-2520. 
No Adverse Impact Floodplain Management Case Studies 
Eleven communities and their No Adverse Impact activities are profiled in this 
publication from the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). You will find 
clear descriptions of the tools that various communities across the United States have 
used to reduce flood losses and make their communities safer. See and download it from 
the ASFPM website (www.floods.org/ PDF/NAI_Case_Studies.pdf).
NFPA 225, Model Manufactured Home Installation Standard 2005 Edition
The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) works with the American National 
Standards Institute to develop codes, standards, recommended practices, and guides 
through a consensus standard-development process. This NFPA publication about 
manufactured homes presents a wide variety of information from flood openings and 
post-elevation considerations like elevation certificates to seismic mapping and perimeter 
supports to slide-out fireplace installation. You can order this document and other 
products from the NFPA by telephone (800-344-3555) or by visiting their online catalog 
at their website (catalog.nfpa.org). Other titles available include ASCE Standard 24-98, 
Flood Resistant Design and Construction; ASCE Standard on Minimum Design Loads 
for Buildings and Other Structures, 2002 Edition; and NFPA 5000(r): Building 
Construction and Safety Code(r), 2003 Edition. 
Websites
www.geodata.gov/gos
Feeling geospatial? Want some geodata? You might like to visit this website, which 
offers one-stop shopping for federal, state, and local geographic data. The site links a 
variety of activities and data through maps and offers several formats, including 
downloadable and live data maps. 
wcatwc.arh.noaa.gov/tsunamiready/tready.htm
Are you TsunamiReady? As a member of the National Tsunami Hazard Mitigation 
Program Steering Committee, FEMA, in partnership with NOAA, USGS, and the states 
of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, supports the National Weather 
Service TsunamiReady initiative. Current TsunamiReady communities include: Homer, 
Kodiak City, Seward, and Sitka in Alaska; Crescent City and the University of California 
Santa Barbara in California; Manzanita/Wheeler/Nehalem in Oregon: and Long Beach, 
Ocean Shores, and the Quinault Indian Tribe in 
Washington.www.fema.gov/fhm/ctp_overtxt.shtm
Is your community one of FEMA's Cooperating Technical Partners (CTPs)? Want to 
become one, or just find out what a CTP is? Visit this FEMA site for more information 
about the CTP program, which maximizes mitigation resource sharing.


http://www.noaa.gov/pastweather.html
If you are looking for information about past weather events, visit this website 
maintained by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 
www.fema.gov/ehp/
This site provides everything you need to coordinate local historic preservation with 
environmental activities, from "Acronyms" to "Definitions" to "Guidelines." If you'd like 
a copy of FEMA's publication Coordinating Environmental and Historic Preservation or 
related guidance, worksheets, and more, visit this page of FEMA's Environmental and 
Historic Preservation site.


Just Around the Bend
More workshops will have been scheduled since publication of this issue. For updated 
workshop information, visit the NFIP web site (www.fema.gov/nfip/wshops.shtm). 
For information about NFIP events for agents, lenders, and other stakeholders, call the 
NFIP Bureau and Statistical Agent Regional Offices (listed on the next page).

STATE/EVENT	CITY	DATE

COLORADO
Agent and Lender Workshop	Lakewood	Nov. 16
Agent and Lender Workshop	Lakewood	Dec. 14

CONNECTICUT
Agent Workshop	Waterbury	Nov. 3

MARYLAND
Agent Workshop	Lanham	Nov. 16
Lender Workshop	Lanham	Nov. 17
Agent Workshop	Lanham	Apr. 19, 2006
Lender Workshop 	Lanham	Apr. 20, 2006

MICHIGAN
Agent Workshop	Acme	Apr. 18, 2006
Agent Workshop	Lansing	Apr. 19, 2006
Agent Workshop	Livonia	Apr. 20, 2006

MISSOURI
Agent and Lender Workshop	Cape Girardeau	Nov. 8
Agent and Lender Workshop	O'Fallon	Nov. 9
Agent and Lender Workshop	Jefferson City	Dec. 6
Agent and Lender Workshop	Joplin	Dec. 7
Agent and Lender Workshop	Kansas City	Dec. 8
Lender Workshop	St. Louis	Mar. 7, 2006
Lender Workshop	Kennett	Mar. 21, 2006
Lender Workshop	Springfield	Mar. 22, 2006
Lender Workshop	Kansas City	Mar. 28, 2006

NEW MEXICO
Agent Workshop	Clovis	Dec. 7

NEW YORK
Agent Workshop	Poughkeepsie	Nov. 29
Agent Workshop	White Plains	Nov. 30
Agent Workshop	Carle Place	Dec. 1
Agent Workshop	Yaphank	Dec. 2

STATE/EVENT	CITY	DATE

OHIO
Agent Workshop	Zanesville	Nov.1
Agent Workshop	Miamisburg	Nov. 2
Agent Workshop	Perrysburg	Nov. 3

PENNSYLVANIA
Agent Workshop	Philadelphia	Mar. 9, 2006

TEXAS
Agent and Lender Workshop	Arlington	Dec. 7
Agent and Lender Workshop	Lubbock	Dec. 8

VIRGINIA
Agent Workshop	Staunton	Nov. 1
Agent Workshop	Charlottesville	Nov. 2

WASHINGTON
Agent Workshop	Everett	Nov. 2
Lender Workshop	Everett	Nov. 4
Agent Workshop	Mt. Vernon	Nov. 28
Lender Workshop 	Mt. Vernon	Nov. 30
Agent Workshop	Seattle	Jan. 12, 2006
Lender Workshop	Seattle	Jan. 13, 2006
Agent Workshop	Bellevue	Feb. 9, 2006
Lender Workshop	Bellevue	Feb. 10, 2006
Agent and Lender Workshop	Poulsbo	Feb. 17, 2006
Agent Workshop	Spokane	Mar. 23, 2006
Lender Workshop	Spokane	Mar. 24, 2006

WISCONSIN
Agent Workshop	Eau Claire	Mar. 21, 2006
Agent Workshop	Wisconsin Dells	Mar. 22, 2006
Agent Workshop	Milwaukee	Mar. 23, 2006



NFIP
 Telephone Numbers


Number	  Service

800-638-6620	Direct Business

800-720-1093	Agent Information 

800-427-4661	General Information

800-611-6125	Lender Information

800-427-5593	TDD

877-336-2627	FEMA Map Assistance Center
	(Information about flood hazard maps and map changes) 

800-358-9616	FEMA Map Service Center 
	(Order flood maps and FIS studies,
Flood Insurance Manual, and
	Community Status Book)

800-480-2520	FEMA Distribution Center 
301-497-6378 FAX	(Order free NFIP forms and 
	public awareness materials)


Regional Office 
Telephone Numbers

		NFIP Bureau & 
Region	FEMA	Statistical Agent

Region I	617-223-9540	781-848-1908
CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT	

Region II	212-680-3600	856-489-4003
NJ, NY
    Caribbean Office-PR,VI	787-296-35001	281-829-68802	
    

Region III	215-931-5608	856-489-4003
DC, DE, MD, PA, VA, WV

Region IV	770-220-5400	770-396-9117
AL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN
    FL  	---------	813-975-74513
	
Region V	312-408-5500	630-577-1407
IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, WI

Region VI	940-898-5399	281-829-6880
AR, LA, NM, OK, TX

Region VII	816-283-7061	913-780-4238
IA, KS, MO, NE

Region VIII	303-235-4800	303-275-3475
CO, MT, ND, SD, UT, WY

Region IX	510-627-7100	916-780-7889
AZ, CA, GU, HI, NV

Region X	425-487-4600	425-488-5820
AK, ID, OR, WA

1FEMA contact number for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
2NFIP B&SA contact number for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
3NFIP B&SA contact number specifically for Florida.