Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

Biloxi, Miss. earns Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

ATLANTA – Biloxi residents with flood insurance policies will now receive a decrease on their annual flood premiums thanks to the city’s active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s Community Rating System.

FEMA Region IV Floodplain Management and Insurance Branch Chief Susan Wilson recognized Biloxi officials today with a plaque for the city’s efforts in becoming the third city in the state to earn a Class 5 community rating.

“Reaching a Class 5 rating is so rare nationwide that it really speaks to the local officials and their hard work and determination,” Wilson said. “They understand the extra effort isn’t just for a decrease to insurance premiums, but it is ensuring the entire city is more resistant to flood damage and more disaster resilient overall.”

The CRS rewards communities that voluntarily take steps to reduce flood risks beyond the minimum requirements of the NFIP.  These steps, which include increasing flood protection and implementing preparedness and mitigation activities, lead to safer communities and ultimately help saves lives and property. As a result, property owners and renters in CRS-participating communities enjoy a reduction in flood insurance premiums. Communities are ranked from a 10 to 1 scale which determines their flood insurance discounts.

Biloxi policyholders began receiving flood insurance discounts from the CRS program in 1996. As a result of additional steps the community has recently taken, the community moved from a CRS Class 6 to a CRS Class 5 effective May 1, earning an additional five percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 5,900 flood insurance policies in Biloxi, representing more than $1.5 billion in flood insurance coverage.  Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 25 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $285 per policy.  Some policyholders in the lower risk areas are eligible for a 10 percent discount.  In total, policyholders realize an annual savings of more than $437,000 because of the community’s CRS participation. 

CRS is a voluntary program for NFIP-participating communities. The intended goals of the program are to reduce flood losses, facilitate accurate insurance ratings and to promote the awareness of flood insurance.  The two other Mississippi communities to earn a Class 5 rating are Pascagoula and Waveland.

For more information on the NFIP’s CRS program visit www.fema.gov/business/nfip/crs.shtm.  For more information about the NFIP, a program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Community Rating System Facts:

Nationwide Communities: 1,211

Nationwide Class 5:               66

Mississippi Communities:      29

Mississippi Class 5:                 3

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

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Mississippi Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

FEMA Mississippi Operations Transfer from Clinton to Biloxi

CLINTON, Miss. – The Mississippi Emergency Management Agency/FEMA Joint Field Office and Operations Center will transfer to the Mississippi Recovery Office location in Biloxi on Nov. 21, and operate as a processing center.

The Clinton joint field office served as a hub for disaster operations following the landfall of Hurricane Isaac in Mississippi Aug. 28. The Biloxi recovery office was established in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina.

Before Isaac made landfall on the Gulf Coast, FEMA disaster personnel from across the country were on the ground to partner with the state to help individuals and communities.

At the height of response operations more than 800 FEMA personnel from every state, plus Canada, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico became part of the emergency response effort to support local and state emergency management. The staff included more than 60 Mississippians.

“The workforce we have brought here is an invaluable asset to Mississippi’s recovery,” said Federal Coordinating Officer Terry Quarles. “We’re lucky to have a diverse group, including many Mississippians, all of whom possess a unique set of skills to help this state as it recovers from
Hurricane Isaac.”

Disaster personnel at the Clinton facility supported three recovery programs: Individual Assistance, Hazard Mitigation and Public Assistance.

The programs help Mississippi disaster survivors and communities recover from Hurricane Isaac, as well as ensure they are better prepared for future disasters.

Disaster personnel do more than assist in the state’s recovery. FEMA personnel also contribute to the local economy by occupying hotel rooms, eating at restaurants and shopping in stores.

More than 40 FEMA Corps volunteers also have contributed to the disaster response effort in Mississippi. FEMA Corps is part of a new program within AmeriCorps’ National Civilian Community Corps. These members are devoted solely to disaster response and recovery efforts.

Nearly 50 volunteer agencies and faith-based groups also contributed significantly to the recovery. Hard-hit individuals and families have benefitted from debris cleanup teams, chainsaw crews, tree removal, home repairs and other essential recovery services that have been provided for free.

As FEMA transitions the Clinton Joint Field Office, Mississippians should know that help is only a phone call or internet link away and the agency will continue to assist residents through to a full recovery.

To reach FEMA:

  • Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov.
  • Visit m.fema.gov from a Smartphone.
  • Dial 800-621-3362 or (TTY) 800-462-7585.
  • For those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services, call 800-621-3362.

The toll-free numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.

FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.

 

 

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FEMA Mississippi Operations Transfer from Clinton to Biloxi