Floodplains, FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

1. Floodplains, FEMA and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Flooding & Drainage Committee May 16, 2011

2. City of Houston’s Role in Flood Insurance • Participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) • Participate in the Community Rating System (CRS)

3. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) • Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding. • It's important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the City of Houston. • In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves. • The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. • Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

4. Benefits of Participating in NFIP • Provide the option of government subsidized flood insurance for property owners. • Flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages for properties in the floodplain. • NFIP participation is required for federal disaster recovery assistance. • NFIP participation is required for federal grants for flood mitigation projects. • Even minimum floodplain regulations are proven to reduce risk of flood losses.

5. Community Rating System (CRS) • The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. • Flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS: • Reduce flood losses; • Facilitate accurate insurance rating; and • Promote the awareness of flood insurance.

6. Community Rating System (CRS) • COH entered the CRS program in 2001 at Class 8 • COH improved its rating in 2008 to Class 6 • COH improved its rating in 2009 to Class 5 • Houston is largest City in US with Class 5 rating • Houston is one of 5 communities in Texas with a Class 5 rating

7. Benefits of CRS • Flood insurance customers in the 100 year floodplain and floodway (SFHA) save 25% on flood insurance premiums. • Flood insurance customers in the 500 year floodplain or outside of the floodplain save 10% on flood insurance premiums. • Preferred Risk Policy holders already have a discounted rate and are not eligible for the CRS discount. • As a result of COH Class 5 rating, COH property owners save a total of $10,588,000 per year on flood insurance premiums.

8. How does COH keep Class 5 Rating? • Annual reporting to FEMA • Compliance with Chapter 19 (Code of Ordinances) Floodplain • Maintain City’s drainage system • Public Outreach on Flood Hazard Awareness • Track repetitive loss properties • Inspect permitted projects within floodplain • Provide Flood Insurance Map access and information to the community

9. City of Houston Floodplain Regulations (Chapter 19) • Development Permit required for any activity in a designated Floodplain/Floodway • Floodplain development requires minimum slab elevation 12 inches above BFE • Zero net fill in the floodplain (mitigation required for fill) • Floodway development requires open foundation construction, minimum low chord elevation 18 inches above BFE and no impact to flood levels in the area • Floodway development requires conveyance mitigation

10. Lesser known facts • Projects are underway that will reduce flood risk in areas of our community. • Floodway and floodplain changes to White Oak Bayou approved by FEMA. Physical Map Revision is pending. • Conditional Letter of Map Revision under review by FEMA for Sims Bayou Watershed • Brays Bayou Project is under construction