Template Home Page – Risk ID & Assessment

Template: Mapping Project Webpage – Risk ID & Assessment Home Page

[COMMUNITY NAME] mapping PROJECT

An Important Nationwide Initiative

In [state name], flooding is the [number one] natural disaster. To identify flood hazards, the risks they pose to people and property, and the regulatory boundaries of floodplains, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) develops flood hazard maps, officially known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps or FIRMs.

In 2003, FEMA began a comprehensive, multi-year initiative to update the nation’s flood maps to reflect current flood risks, working with local governments, water management districts, and other partners. FEMA continues with this effort in a program known Risk MAP (Mapping, Assessment & Planning). The new maps are digital, easily accessible and represent the most current flood risk data available. They are also developed with significant community input.

Why [community name] Flood Maps Need Updating

[Community name’s] current flood hazard data for the [watershed name] dates back to [rounded date] and no longer accurately represents the area’s flood risk. Drainage patterns have changed due to factors such as land use, surface erosion, and other natural forces. As a result, the likelihood of flooding in some areas has increased significantly. Moreover, the technology used to estimate flooding has improved. Up-to-date maps will more accurately represent the risk of flooding; therefore, representing an important tool for the [community name] to use in the effort to reduce risk and create a more resilient community.

Remapping Efforts in [community name]

FEMA’s Risk MAP Program is a comprehensive effort to identify risk and potential mitigation strategies communities can take to reduce risk to life and property in their watershed. [Community name, and state or Cooperating Technical Partner name] have partnered with FEMA to ensure local input into the process. This allows [community name] to have a direct hand in working with FEMA and the other counties and communities within the watershed. [FEMA Region 6, CTP name] will be guiding the remapping process and providing support and direction for the outreach performed by the local counties and communities.

The new digital flood maps will provide detailed, property-specific flood risk data to guide local development and flood insurance decisions. With the planned release of these maps in [season and/or year], [community name] residents and business owners will have up-to-date, reliable, Internet-accessible data about the flood hazards they face.

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Template: Mapping Project Webpage – Risk ID & Assessment Effects Page

UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF MAP CHANGES

A Better Picture of Flood Hazards

Over time, water flow and drainage patterns can change dramatically due to environmental changes, land use and other forces. The likelihood of inland [riverine and coastal]flooding will also change. However, older flood hazard maps may not reflect these changes and many areas have not been studied to determine the flooding risk. Based on new digital mapping techniques, detailed, reliable, and current information on county and local community flood hazards will be provided once the study is complete. The information will be available on new flood hazard maps, also known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps or FIRMs. The new maps will present a better picture of the areas most likely to be impacted by flooding and provide a better foundation from which to make important building and land use decisions.

Newer Maps Mean Better Informed Communities

Flood maps are importanttools in the effort to help reduce risk to lives and property as well as the beneficial functions that floodplains provide. By showing the extent to which specific areas and neighborhoods -- and individual properties -- are at risk for flooding, flood maps help business and property owners make financial decisions about reducing the financial risk due to flooding of their property.

The maps also enable community planners, local officials, engineers, builders and others to determine where and how new structures and developments should be built, resulting in more resilient building practices.

When the new flood maps are introduced, it will especially be important for property owners, insurance agents, lenders, real estate agents and brokers, developers, and builders, to understand what the changes are and what the effects will be.

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Template Effects Page – Risk ID & Assessment - 2

PROPERTY OWNER

FLOOD MAPS ARE CHANGING; KNOW YOUR RISK

Flood Maps Are Changing

Everyone has some level of flood risk. When finished, the new flood hazard maps provide an updated picture of the risk. The level of flood risk can be different from neighborhood to neighborhood and even property to property. It is important homeowners, renters, and business owners learn how their risk is now shown, and how it will be shown when the new flood hazard maps become effective.

Know Your Risk

When properties are mapped into high-risk areas (shown as flood zones labeled with letters starting with “A” [or “V”]), construction restrictions and flood insurance requirements may apply. In these areas, known as a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), property owners with a mortgage through a federally regulated or insured lender will be required to carry flood insuranceonce the maps become effective. Some lenders may decide to require flood insurance purchase in advance of the maps becoming effective. Property owners who obtain and maintain flood coverage before the maps become effective may be eligible for cost-saving rating options provided by the National Flood Insurance Program. They should contact their insurance agent for more information and to learn about the available options.

When a property is mapped from a high-risk zone into a moderate- or low-risk zone (a zone labeled with the letter “X”), flood insurance will no longer be requiredonce the maps becomeeffective. However, the flood risk has only been reduced; it hasnot been removed. Property owners can maintain coverage by converting to a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy (PRP), with premiums starting as low as $129 per year. Again, property owners should discuss their options with their insurance agent. To locate an agent who sells flood insurance or to learn more, visit

(Have the “options” link to the Requirements and Options table)

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Flood Insurance Requirements and Options

When the new maps become effective, flood insurance requirements willchange. However, options exist that will allow property owners to save money while still protecting their property.

If Maps Show… / These Requirements, Options and Savings Apply
Change from moderate or low flood risk to high risk (flood Zone B, C, or X to Zone A, AE, AH, AO, [V or VE]) / Flood insurance is mandatory. Flood insurance will be federally required for most mortgage holders. Insurance costs may rise to reflect the true (high) risk.
Rating Options can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program has rating options to offer savings and recognize policyholders who built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction or who maintain continuous coverage. Sometimes, though, using the new flood maps can actually result in a lower premium, especially if the home is high enough above the BFE. Talk to your insurance agent to determine the best option for you.
[Change from high-risk Zone A or AE to higher-risk Zone V or VE / An increase in risk can result in higher premiums; however, “grandfathering” can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program grandfathering rules allow policyholders who have built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction to keep their previous Zone A or AE to calculate their insurance rate. This could result in significant savings.]
Change from high flood risk to moderate or low risk (e.g., flood Zone [V, VE,]A, AE, AH, AO, to Zone X or shaded X) / Flood insurance is optional but recommended. The risk has only been reduced, not removed. Flood insurance can still be obtained, and at lower rates. Nearly 25 percent of all flood insurance claims and one-third of flood disaster claims come from moderate-to-low-risk areas.
Conversion offers savings. An existing policy can be easily converted to a lower-cost Preferred Risk Policy, if the building qualifies. Note that lenders always have the option to require flood insurance in these areas.
Increase in the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) / An increase in BFE can result in higher premiums; however, “grandfathering” can offer savings. The National Flood Insurance Program grandfathering rules allow policyholders who built in compliance with the flood map in effect at the time of construction to keep the earlier base flood elevation to calculate their insurance rate. This could result in significant savings.
No change in
risk level / No change in insurance rates. However, this is a good time to review coverage and ensure building and contents are adequately insured.

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Flood maps refer to areas of high, medium or low risk as “flood hazard zones” and the zones of highest risk as “Special Flood Hazard Areas.”

Risk Level / Flood Hazard Zone
High Flood Risk / AE, A, AH, AO, AR, A99 Zone. These properties have a one-percent-annual-chance of flooding in any year — and a 26 percent chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage. Statistics show they also have a much greater chance of having a flood than a fire.
[VE or V Zone. These properties have a one-percent-annual-chance of flooding in any year and also face hazards associated with coastal storm surge and waves.]
Insurance note: High-risk areas are called Special Flood Hazard Areas, and flood insurance is mandatory for most mortgage holders.*
Moderate or Low Flood Risk / Shaded X Zone. These properties are outside the high-risk zones and are in areas of moderate flood risk. Remember: the risk is reduced, but not removed.
X Zone. These properties are in an area of overall lower risk.
Insurance note: Lower-cost preferred rate flood insurance policies (known as Preferred Risk Policies) are often an option in these areas.
Undetermined Risk / D Zone. The D zone designation is used for areas where there are possible but undetermined flood hazards. In areas designated as a D zone, no analysis of flood hazards has been conducted. Flood insurance is optional and available.

* Required for loans provided by federally regulated and insured lenders as well as Government Sponsored Enterprises such as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

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Template: Mapping Project Webpage – Risk ID & Assessment Resources Page

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

A wide variety of information exists to help you better understand your flood risks and what you can do. To learn more about flood map updates, who to contact, or where to get more information, the following resources may be of assistance.

Property owners and renters can learn more about flood insurance at the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) website:

Insurance agents can learn about flood insurance and obtain tools to help inform their clients at Agents.FloodSmart.gov.

For current effective flood maps and past (historic) flood maps, visit the Map Service Center:

Learn more about FEMA’s flood hazard mapping effort at

To learn more about FEMA Region 6 mapping effort, visit Look under “Resources and Related Links” for a complete list.

For more details about effects of map changes on insurance, lender requirements and other technical questions related to the flood maps (not local), contact:

FEMA Map Information eXchange (FMIX)
1-877-FEMA-MAP
Hours are Monday through Friday; 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Central Time

To ask specific questions regarding [community/county name’s] maps or to view the maps in person, visit or call:

[Community/county location

Phone]
Open [times]
[days open; i.e., Monday – Friday]

Maps can also been seen online at: [local URL or

To learn how to be more prepared for a disaster, visit

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