NFIP 101
Outline What is the NFIP? What are its goals? What is a flood? A floodplain? Maps, FIRMs, and FISs NFIP Requirements Local Flood Ordinances & Permitting Tips, Tricks, & Tools Mitigation & Other Trainings
Why do we care about floodplains? Floodplains are inherently dangerous areas Areas that are most likely to flood (High Risk) KY has had 78 flood deaths from 1996 2017 KY has 1% of the U.S. population but accounts for 4% of U.S. flood deaths since 1996 http://www.weather.gov/jkl/flooddeathhistory
Floodplain management should be viewed as a public safety program at the local level
National Flood Insurance Program
Pre-NFIP Floodplain management was focused on Controlling the flood Dams Levees Reservoirs Channel Modifications
NFIP Creation The National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 Creates the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide flood insurance in communities that voluntarily adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances that meet minimum NFIP requirements.
The National Flood Insurance Program A voluntary program based on a mutual agreement between the federal government and the local community In exchange for adopting & enforcing a Floodplain Management ordinance, federally-backed flood insurance is made available to property owners throughout the community The NFIP aims to reduce future flood damage by: Identifying flood risks (i.e. flood maps) Regulating floodplain development Providing insurance in participating communities.
NFIP Cont.
What is a Flood? NFIP Flood Definition: A general and temporary condition of partial or complete inundation of 2 or more acres of normally dry land or 2 or more adjacent properties
What is a Floodplain? A Floodplain is the low-lying area adjacent to a river or stream that is subject to periodic flooding. The Floodway carries the most water at the highest velocities. It is the most dangerous area during a flood.
Mapping
Flood Maps FEMA produced Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) for all communities in the Commonwealth. KDOW is the CTP for Kentucky FIRMs show: The 1% or greater chance of flooding Base flood elevations (in AE zones only) Regulatory floodways May show community landmarks The SFHAs shown on the community FIRM are the areas where development is regulated at the State & Local levels
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Old FIRMs New FIRMs
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Provides technical data about the flood study Summary of Discharges, Flood Elevation Profiles, Floodway Data Tables Pertinent references for the flood study
Digital Flood Maps Multiple different digital services available Map Service Center NFHL Service KDOW Watermaps Will be covered later in this presentation
NFIP Requirements
Federal Requirements Regulating development with permits is a requirement of the NFIP 44 CFR 60.3(a)(1) Require permits for all proposed construction or other development in the community so that it may determine whether such construction or other development is proposed within flood-prone areas; All regulations in 60.3 (i.e. parts a through e) build on one another Section (a) also requires that all necessary permits are obtained and that all proposed development is reasonably safe from flooding. https://www.gpo.gov/
KRS 151.250 State Requirements No person, city, county or other political subdivision of the state shall [develop in] any area located adjacent to a river or stream or in the floodway of the stream unless plans and specifications for such work have been submitted to and approved by the cabinet and a permit issued as required http://www.lrc.ky.gov/statutes/chapter.aspx?id=37731
KY Floodplain Management Kentucky Division of Water (KDOW) Floodplain Management section Responsible for the approval or denial of proposed development in the 1% annual chance floodplain of all streams in the Commonwealth Development is broadly defined Typical activities permitted: Bridges, culverts, and low water crossings Residential & commercial buildings Fill, Stream alterations or relocations Small impoundments Water and wastewater treatment plants
Floodplain Requirements All building lowest floors must be elevated or protected to at or above the BFE Includes all utilities, mechanical equipment, and ductwork
Floodplain Requirements Cont. Fully enclosed areas below the lowest floor require a total net area of 1 square inch of vent space per square foot of enclosed area Minimum of 2 openings The bottom of the openings shall be no higher than 1 foot above grade
Floodplain Requirements Cont. In A zones (areas where no floodway is identified), proposed encroachments must not result in more than a 1 foot increase in Base Flood Elevation (BFE) In AE zones, nothing may be placed within an floodway that will cause any rise in BFE Applicant must hire a Professional Engineer to perform an engineering analysis showing No-Rise Engineer should complete a No-Rise Certificate
Floodplain Requirements Cont. Frankfort, KY
Floodplain Requirements Cont. RVs are allowed in floodplains with the following requirements: Must be self propelled or pulled with light weight truck Must be road worthy and fully licensed for highway use Must be on site for less than 180 consecutive days Attached to the site using quick disconnect utilities No permanent additions
Local Requirements
Local Ordinances All communities participating in the NFIP have a local Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance (FDPO) Local FDPO includes: Authorization & Purpose Definitions Provisions (where it applies) Administrator duties Development Requirements
Local Responsibilities The authority to regulate floodplains is under the local jurisdiction. You are enforcing the local ordinance regulations, not FEMA s! This gives the local community the ability to adopt more stringent requirements in the SHFAs. Reduces community risk as a whole
Local FP Coordinator Duties Most community ordinances name the community CEO or their designee as the local coordinator Typical duties include: Make floodplain determinations Notify applicants of required permits Assist applicant with state floodplain application Once federal and state permits have been obtained, review local floodplain permit application A local permit should be Issued or denied based on the local application & the community s ordinance Inspect development (during and post construction) Ensure compliance/issue stop work orders Conduct additional inspections as needed Compile documentation for community records Plans, permits, maps, certificates
Floodplain Determinations Does this project qualify as development? Any manmade change to Real Estate Is this development in the floodplain? If yes, what is the maximum BFE at this site?
Floodplain Determinations Cont. FEMA Map Service Center Source for all public FEMA Flood Hazard products FIRMs, FISs, LOMCs, and Flood Risk Communication Products KDOW Flood Risk Portal A zone BFEs available for 119 of 120 counties Engineering reports and zone A models available as well
Local Permitting Procedure 1) Determine if project meets the definition of development in your community s ordinance 2) Floodplain Determination If YES, a state AND local floodplain permit is required If NO, no further action is needed 3) Determine what permit(s) are required. Obtain these first. USACE, KDOW floodplain, water quality, endangered species, etc. Provide guidance to applicant for applicable federal and state applications Floodplain maps http://msc.fema.gov -or- http://watermaps.ky.gov KY Water Health Portal http://watermaps.ky.gov Wetlands https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html 4) Require local floodplain development application Provide guidance to applicant for local application 5) Issue Local Floodplain Permit based on application & ordinance Should be on community letterhead with CEO or the local floodplain coordinator s signature
Local Permitting Basics Local permit applications are an NFIP requirement to ensure that development meets local ordinance requirements. Local ordinances may go above & beyond State requirements. Things to consider: Type of development Flood zone & Floodway Base Flood Elevation (BFE) Freeboard, setbacks, etc. Structure s lowest floor Cost vs. Market Value Substantial? A local permit must be issued in conjunction with State permit If not, State permit is null & void
Other Floodplain Stakeholders
Lenders Lenders are required by law to ensure property owners have flood insurance with a federally backed mortgage Can require flood insurance at any time, regardless of flood zone Homeowner can request a Letter of Map Change (LOMC) to have property removed from floodplain Lender may still require flood insurance
Insurance Agents Agents will use the FIRM & basic information about the structure to rate the policy Best available data Agents tend to be conservative If an Elevation Certificate is available, it is always preferable Shows structures elevation in relation to BFE Allows for true risk rating An improperly located or constructed home will effect that structures policy rating
Construction Affects Insurance Top of Lowest Floor Freeboard BFE Flood Resistant Materials Flood Vents
Reduces Risk Citizens Not reliant only on Disaster Assistance Insurance available to everyone in an NFIP participating community Homeowners policies DON T cover flooding Residential or Renter policy Structure ($250K) Contents ($100K) Business Owner policy Structure ($500K) Contents ($500K)
Break Please be back in 10 minutes
Tips, Tricks, & Tools
Tools
Tools help inform citizens that a risk exists
FEMA Map Service Center Source for all public FEMA Flood Hazard products Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) Flood Insurance Studies (FISs) Letters of Map Change (LOMCs) Risk MAP non-regulatory products Search by location (State, County, City, address, or Lat/Long.) to get the appropriate product https://msc.fema.gov/portal
FEMA Map Service Center
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Old FIRMs Newer FIRMs
Flood Insurance Study (FIS) Provides technical data about the flood study Summary of Discharges, Flood Elevation Profiles, Floodway Data Tables Pertinent references for the flood study
FIRM Panels FIRM Panels are the legal regulatory documents for floodplain management FIRM panels are usually 24 x 36 Not something the average user can easily print Also difficult for communities to make copies Can make providing a map difficult for communities and citizens during floodplain application
FIRMette Tool
National Flood Hazard Layer (NFHL) Designed to work with ArcMap projects and ArcMap Online Data not stored locally Automatically updates National source for All Digital FIRM layers LOMC locations & dates Links to download LOMCs Links to the effective panels DFIRM County GIS Data download FEMAs NFHL
KDOW Watermaps Risk MAP Portal Water Health Portal KY Watershed Viewer KDOW Story Map Gallery HAB Viewer Special Use Waters Draught Viewer FEMA Flood Map Project Update Map http://watermaps.ky.gov
Risk MAP Portal Statewide floodplains in a single map Displays the same floodplain as the FEMA GeoPlatform Map Zone A BFEs available 119 of 120 1% annual chance BFE determinations in the A Flood Zones with a simple click on the stream centerline Hydrologic & Hydraulic reports and models for A zones available for download FIS and Shapefiles also available Phase II and Beyond Hydraulic models and BFE determination available statewide Dam safety information http://watermaps.ky.gov/riskportal/
FEMA Flood Map Updates RiskMAP is in the process of revising the floodmaps for all watersheds in the Commonwealth Risk Mapping, Assessment, & Planning Not all FIRMs are updated during this process Three currently available for review Lower Cumberland Watershed Silver-Little Kentucky Watershed Jefferson County After maps complete the Due Process phase, communities are issued paper maps. http://watermaps.ky.gov/
FEMA Flood Map Updates Cont. Effective Preliminary Preliminary maps for communities to review Not Regulatorily Effective Once maps become effective, maps are included on the RiskMAP Portal
FEMA Flood Map Updates Cont.
U.S. Geological Survey Flood Inundation Mapping The USGS Flood Inundation Mapping Program strives to help communities understand flood risks and make cost-effective mitigation decisions. The USGS works with the National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to ensure the quality and consistency of flood inundation maps nationwide. Inundation maps can be used for: Preparedness - "What-if" scenarios Timely Response - tied to real-time gage and forecast information Recovery - damage assessment Mitigation and Planning - flood risk analyses Environmental and Ecological Assessments - wetlands identification, hazardous spill cleanup http://water.usgs.gov/osw/flood_inundation/ Mobile Friendly - https://fim.wim.usgs.gov/fim/
Flood Inundation Mapper
National Weather Service AHPS Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) Kentucky located in the Ohio Region http://water.weather.gov/ahps/
National Weather Service AHPS Individual Gage Data Hydrograph current & near future water level Probability Graph Chance of flooding over the next few months River at a Glance View multiple gages information on same page Gage Location Attribute Historic and recent crests
Mitigation
Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters Mitigation can occur pre-, during, or postflood Funding sources to help communities and its citizens take mitigation actions Mitigation
Mitigation Funding Cont. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Help communities implement hazard mitigation measures following a disaster declaration. KY is an Enhanced state: 20% of disaster funds allocated for HMGP FEMA funds 75% Kentucky funds 12% Locals responsible for 13% **Department for Local Government (DLG) may be able to fund up to 75% of local share
Mitigation Funding Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Assisting local communities in implementing a pre-disaster natural hazard mitigation program Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Provides funding to local communities for projects and planning that reduces or eliminates long-term risk of flood damage to structures insured under the NFIP. PDM & FMA are open annually and are nationally competitive State Hazard Mitigation Officer Geni Jo Brawner, KYEM geneva.j.brawner.nfg@mail.mil
Mitigation Funding Cont. Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) ICC is a part of most standard flood insurance policies available under the NFIP Must have flood insurance, be in the floodplain, and be declared substantially damaged by the community Can provides up to $30,000 to help cover the cost of mitigation actions that help reduce flood risk DLGs Flood Control Matching Grant Program May help meet the local cost-share match requirements associated with mitigation projects.
Mitigation Funding Cont. HUD 203(K) Loan Program Traditional lending requires Loan-to-Value ratios that may prohibit financing of mitigation activities. 203K allows homeowners to finance the purchase plus the cost of its repairs through a single mortgage. Portion of loan pays off existing mortgage, and remaining funds put in escrow & released on project completion. Streamlined process available for repairs up to $35,000 Eligible Activities Structural elevation of the home above BFE Relocation of the home to a non-flood prone site Dry floodproofing (e.g., make structure water-tight) Wet floodproofing (e.g., installing flood vents) Relocating utilities and systems out of a basement, or elevating the utilities Overhead sewers and/or backflow prevention Structural alterations and reconstruction
Other Trainings
Other Trainings FEMA s Emergency Management Institute (EMI) E0273: Managing Floodplain Development thru the NFIP E0194: Advanced Floodplain Management Concepts E0278: NFIP / Community Rating System All are 4 day courses in Emmitsburg, Maryland FEMA will cover Transportation & Lodging costs Communities responsible only for $125 meal ticket EMI Independent Study (Distance Learning) IS-1100.a: Increased Cost of Compliance IS-1102: Theory of Elevation Rating IS-1103: Elevation Certificate for Surveyors IS-1105: EC Made Easy-Elevation Certificate Overview https://training.fema.gov/emi.aspx
Other Trainings Cont. KDOW will offer 1 EMI course in the coming months L0273: Managing Floodplain Development thru the NFIP Dates and Lactations have not been selected Contact NFIP Coordinator if you or someone from your community is interested in participating
Webinars Other Trainings Cont. CRS Resources KDOW & KYEM periodically offer webinars on flood and mitigation topics KAMM Regional Trainings Regional Trainings: March & April 2017 Spread throughout the state Beginner & Intermediate http://www.kymitigation.org/
DON T PANIC!
Alex VanPelt, CFM Contact Info Kentucky NFIP Coordinator alex.vanpelt@ky.gov (502) 782-7120 (Direct Line) Division of Water 300 Sower Blvd., 3 rd Floor Frankfort, KY 40601
Questions