Floodplain Management. City Council Work Session April 16, 2013

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1 Floodplain Management City Council Work Session April 16,

2 Discussion Agenda Flood Insurance Rate Changes Community Rating System Recommendation Floodplain Ordinance Enhancements Modifications Public Outreach/Engagement Next Steps FEMA Flood Maps 2

3 Flood Insurance Standard homeowner s insurance doesn t cover flooding. In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners, renters, and business owners to financially protect themselves. In return for flood insurance, local governments must agree to adopt and enforce floodplain ordinances. In our City we have just under 10,000 citizens with Flood Insurance. 3

4 Flood Insurance Rate Reform The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is currently $18 Billion in debt. To fix that issue, Congress passed the Biggerts- Waters Act of Raises premium rates to reflect true risk Makes the program more financially stable Changes the way map updates affect policyholders 4

5 What is going to happen with NFIP rates? Rates will increase to reflect true flood risk For information on how rates will change, we encourage citizens to contact their insurance agents. When a community adopts new maps, discounts like grandfathering will be phased out. In certain situations, rate increases could be as dramatic as 25%-850%. 5

6 Who and when will these rate increases affect? Rates will increase in different amounts over the next several years. Different types of properties will see various levels of rate increases. There is still great uncertainty and guidance from FEMA on the specific details of rate increases. However, one thing is certain, rates will increase for certain property owners in the floodplain. 6

7 Chesapeake s Flood Insurance Stats 9,395 policies in-force (8% of State) Over $2.4 billion insurance in-force (8.7% of State) Over $5.9 million in premiums annually (7.5% of State) The City of Chesapeake has the 4 th highest number of policies in the Commonwealth 7

8 Community Rating System (CRS) The CRS is a voluntary Program that is under the umbrella of the National Flood Insurance Program. The City is not enrolled in CRS and we are recommending enrollment. The Goals of CRS are to reduce flood losses facilitate accurate insurance rating promote awareness of flood insurance. The incentive of CRS is in the form of flood insurance premium discounts. All current and future policy holders will benefit from discount. There are 18 activities in four broad categories that are recognized as measures for eliminating exposure to floods. Public Information Mapping and Engineering Flood Mitigation Flood Preparedness 8

9 CRS Figures and Examples CRS Class Credit Points Premium Reductions 6 2,000-2,499 20% 7 - Gloucester 1,500-1,999 15% 8 - Hampton 1,000-1,499 10% 9 - Norfolk % 10 -Chesapeake At a 5% premium discount, the City s flood policy holders would see an estimated reduction of $297, % - $595,000 15% - $893,000 9

10 CRS Activity Examples Activity Max Points Possible Total 2 ft. Freeboard Making flood map data available* Public outreach project* Flood mitigation information* Open Space Program* We are doing many of the activities already Many others will only need minor alterations to how we conduct business 10

11 Floodplain Management Ordinance Current interim Ordinance adopted December 20, 2011 Natural Events Mitigation Advisory Committee 4 recommended enhancements Community Input Meeting City Staff recommended amendments enhancements, definitions and processes Considering enhancements to participate in CRS 11

12 Floodplain Management Ordinance CRS Enhancements 2-foot freeboard for flood-proofed commercial structures 1.5-foot freeboard for residential structures (6 inch difference from current requirements) No new critical infrastructure, such as government facilities and hospitals, in the 100- year flood zone Indicate within the Floodplain Ordinance that documented sea level rise and land subsidence affect the City s floodplain 12

13 Freeboard Example 13

14 Floodplain Management Ordinance Other Proposed Modifications Appeals considered by Floodplain Administrator instead of the Local Board of Building Code Appeals Definition Regulatory Floodway : Narrowed definition to limit the required analysis to applicable activities Penalty for violations - Now includes requirement to abate the violation in addition to fine New and replacement outdoor equipment must be anchored New process Waiver In the event of substantial damage/ improvements, provides relief of requirements for raising existing structures if structure is above 100 yr. flood elevation 14

15 Community Input Mailings to over 11,000 property owners Community Input Meeting Held March 4, citizens signed in On-Line Survey February 25 March 15, responses Building Industry Outreach Tidewater Builders Association, HR Realtors Association, Chamber of Commerce, Virginia Association of Surveyors, Economic Development Advisory Committee, Development Advisory contacts Analysis of potentially affected permits 15

16 Community Input Results Commercial Freeboard Increase 2 Feet 66% = Yes 18% = Neutral 29%= No Residential Freeboard Increase 6 Inches 56% = Yes 13% = Neutral 31%= No Prohibit Critical Infrastructure 79% = Yes 9% = Neutral 12%= No Indicate Sea Level Rise in ordinance 68% = Yes 19% = Neutral 13%= No Majority of Respondents in favor of including all four enhancements in the City s Floodplain Ordinance 16

17 Steps for Ordinance Adoption December 20, 2011: City Council adopted initiating resolution April 16, 2013: City Council Work Session Staff recommendation of enhancements May 8, 2013: Planning Commission public hearing June 18, 2013: City Council public hearing 17

18 FEMA Region III Mapping Study February 2013: Preliminary Maps Issued Late May 2013: FEMA/City Final Coordination July 2013-October 2013: Advertise 90 day Public Review of Maps To Be Determined: Community Open House sponsored by FEMA (City can request timing) December 2013: Letter of Final Determination January 2014-July 2014: City Council consider Floodplain Ordinance revisions to reference new maps July 2014: Effective Date of new maps 18

19 Information Sources For more information on flood insurance, please visit For more information on the City s Floodplain Ordinance, please visit - For more information on FEMA s new mapping study, please visit If citizens cannot access the internet from home, please visit any City library for assistance. 19