Union County Facing Probation from National Flood Insurance Program

DENVER – Union County, S.D., is scheduled to be placed on probationary status with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) on May 18, 2015, unless the county is able to address program deficiencies prior to that date, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which administers the program.

FEMA’s regional office in Denver sent a letter to the county on January 16, 2015, which identified floodplain management violations and program deficiencies that need to be corrected. This action was taken after repeated attempts were made to obtain information and documentation related to identified floodplain management violations and program deficiencies and after attempts to resolve these deficiencies through community assistance and consultation. The deficiencies and violations cited in the probation letter include failure to manage floodplain development in accordance with the county’s floodplain ordinance and lack of adequate record keeping.

Compliance with NFIP requirements is designed to help communities better protect citizens and their homes and property from flooding. Noncompliance puts Union County in danger of failing to provide an appropriate level of protection to the citizens and property owners of the county, which faces significant risk from flooding.

Union County property owners will still be able to purchase and renew flood insurance coverage during the probationary period, but a $50 surcharge will be added to each policy sold or renewed in the community beginning on May 18, 2015.  There are currently 424 flood insurance policies in Union County.

If the county fails to make progress remedying the floodplain management violations and program deficiencies, the county could be suspended from the program. The result of suspension is the loss of federally backed flood insurance in the county, meaning that residents will not be able to purchase or renew their flood insurance policies after suspension occurs. Furthermore, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 prohibits federal agencies from making grants, loans, or guarantees for the acquisition or construction of structures located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.

Additionally, if a disaster occurs in a suspended community, most types of federal disaster assistance for structures within a Special Flood Hazard Area are not available.

FEMA remains committed to working with Union County officials to help the county achieve a good standing in the NFIP.