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FEMA Reaches Out to Survivors with Lapsed Flood Insurance

BATON ROUGE, La. — After receiving federal assistance for past disaster-declared storms and hurricanes, thousands of Louisianians were required to purchase flood insurance policies through Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) programs. In the Hurricane Isaac disaster, FEMA is reaching out to survivors who let those policies lapse.

The insurance policy, issued under a FEMA Group Flood Insurance Policy, is a three-year, nonrenewable, group flood policy funded by a portion of the survivor’s FEMA grant money. After the policy expires, renters and homeowners are required to purchase and maintain a flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to continue their insurance protection.

Applicants who did not maintain the required flood insurance coverage for their previously damaged homes are not eligible for disaster loans or grants to repair that same property after Hurricane Isaac.

Survivors may, however, still be eligible for grants to pay for rental assistance, other serious disaster-related expenses and Transitional Sheltering Assistance, which may allow families to stay in a hotel for a limited period of time.

“FEMA and our partners in the community may have some programs to help Louisianians who were not able to keep flood insurance coverage for properties damaged during previous storms,” said Mike Hall, FEMA’s federal coordinating officer. “We encourage you to register and find what assistance is available to you.”

FEMA recently opened a Hurricane Isaac Flood Insurance Call Center for use by storm survivors who have questions or concerns about flood insurance or flood insurance adjusters. The toll-free number is 1-866-331-1679. The call center is open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Currently, more than 486,000 Louisianians have flood insurance protection, representing nearly $112 billion in coverage through the NFIP. To date, this program has paid out more than $49 million in claims for Hurricane Isaac.

Applying for disaster assistance is quick and simple. Survivors with uninsured or underinsured damages can register online at www.disasterassistance.gov or via smartphone at m.fema.gov. They may also call 1-800-621-3362 or (TTY) 1-800-462-7585. Those who use 711 Relay or Video Relay Services may call 1-800-621-3362. The toll-free telephone numbers are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week.

For more information on Louisiana disaster recovery, click www.fema.gov/disaster/4080 or www.gohsep.la.gov. You can follow FEMA on Twitter at www.twitter.com/femaregion6 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FEMA. Also visit our blog at www.fema.gov/blog.

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 Reaches Out to Survivors with Lapsed Flood Insurance

King County Plan Accepted by the National Flood Insurance Program

SEATTLE—King County has received notification from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that their plan for how to implement the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is sufficient to protect salmon within the unincorporated portions of King County.

“We are on the path to a healthier environment, flood protection, and economic growth, through our comprehensive floodplain management program,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine.

King County submitted a programmatic habitat assessment of current and anticipated future impacts of regulated land-use upon Chinook and steelhead salmon and their habitats. This assessment conducted an in-depth analysis of how numerous King County regulations manage and restrict the potential for further land development within the 100-year floodplain across the county, while also promoting restoration of some natural floodplain functions and processes in some watersheds of the county. FEMA determined that the assessment was able to demonstrate that King County implements a floodplain development program that is compliant with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

This good news means that King County citizens will continue to be eligible to purchase flood insurance. The decision also allows King County to continue issuing permits for development in floodplains, as long as the projects can be shown to be in compliance with the ESA.

“We believe flood risk prevention goes hand in hand with fisheries habitat protection,” said FEMA Region 10 Acting Regional Administrator Sharon Loper, whose agency oversees the flood insurance program. “King County is to be commended for its efforts to comply with the Endangered Species Act.”

Since 2008, as a result of a Biological Opinion issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service, the NFIP has required participating communities in the Puget Sound area to take measures to protect critical salmon species and their habitat in order to continue participating in the program. Last September, all 122 communities in the Puget Sound area were required to enforce regulations that require all floodplain development be compliant with the ESA.

“King County continues to be a leader in overseeing development in its floodplains while balancing requirements to protect fish and wildlife,” said King County Flood Control District Chair Julia Patterson. “Our efforts save floodplain property owners time and money, while at the same time safeguarding precious habitat.”

King County’s plan for overseeing development in its floodplains is an important document, because other communities that also need to adapt their regulations could review it as an example of one programmatic approach open to them to demonstrate compliance with the Biological Opinion issued by NMFS. The King County model is complex and thorough, but smaller communities that now need to be in compliance with the ESA could apply the methodology used by King County and scale the level of effort to meet their size and needs.

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King County Plan Accepted by the National Flood Insurance Program

Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Even if survivors of Tropical Storm Debby have insurance, temporary disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency may still help.

Disaster assistance may be able to fill insurance gaps or help those who have been waiting more than 30 days on a homeowner’s insurance claim.

To receive assistance residents must write a letter to FEMA explaining their situation and provide insurance documentation that proves they filed their claim. Any help awarded is considered an advance and may need to be repaid promptly to FEMA once an insurance settlement is received.

Assistance may also be available to those who have exhausted their policy’s additional living expenses.

Survivors need to mail their insurance information and their letter requesting help to:

FEMA

National Processing Service Center

P.O. Box 10055

Hyattsville, MD 20782-70155

Or fax it to: 800-827-8112

Survivors must repay their disaster assistance if there is a duplication of benefits after they receive their insurance settlement.

Those who still have questions may call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-FEMA (3362).

Assistance is available in most languages and lines are open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. Those who are deaf or hard of hearing and use a TTY may call 800-462-7585.

They may also call the state Insurance Consumer Advocate helpline at 877-693-5236, toll-free in Florida, and 850-413-3089 from out of state.

For more information on Florida’s disaster recovery, visit www.fema.gov or www.floridadisaster.org. On Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/FloridaSERT. To receive Twitter updates: www.twitter.com/FLSERT or www.twitter.com/femaregion4.

Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). If you have a speech disability or hearing loss and use a TTY, call 800-462-7585 directly; if you use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 800-621-3362.

FEMA’s temporary housing assistance and grants for public transportation expenses, medical and dental expenses, and funeral and burial expenses do not require individuals to apply for an SBA loan. However, applicants who receive SBA loan applications must submit them to SBA loan officers to be eligible for assistance that covers personal property, vehicle repair or replacement, and moving and storage expenses.

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Waiting for an Insurance Settlement? FEMA Can Help

Preliminary Flood Maps in Osage County, OK Ready for Public View

Knowing flood risks allows for more informed decisions

Release Date: July 16, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-117

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — Homeowners, renters and business owners in Osage County, Oklahoma are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Osage County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

“As we work together with our state and local partners to bring this critical information to the county, we ask that everyone review the maps to understand what flood risks are involved,” said Region 6 Acting Administrator Tony Robinson “The role of the community as an active partner in the flood mapping process is very important.”

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

To see changes since the last map visit: maps.riskmap6.com/OK/Kay_Osage/
To use a live chat service, visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Once a flood risk is identified, the next step is to consider the purchase of a flood policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Contacting a local insurance agent is the first step to gather information about this relatively low-cost federally backed insurance. Visit www.floodsmart.gov or call 1-888-379-9531 to locate an agent in your area.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Jul-2012 10:41:25

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Preliminary Flood Maps in Osage County, OK Ready for Public View

Preliminary Flood Maps in Travis County, TX Ready for Public View

Knowing flood risks allows for more informed decisions

Release Date: July 16, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-118

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — Homeowners, renters and business owners in Travis County, Texas are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Travis County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps in those communities impacted by Elm Creek in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

To use a live chat service, visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Jul-2012 10:38:56

Preliminary Flood Maps in Travis County, TX Ready for Public View

Preliminary Flood Maps In Kay County, OK Ready for Public View

Knowing flood risks allows for more informed decisions

Release Date: July 16, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-119

» 2012 Region VI News Releases

DENTON, Texas — Homeowners, renters and business owners in Kay County, Oklahoma are encouraged to look over newly released preliminary flood maps in order to determine their flood risks and make informed decisions.

Kay County officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) are presenting the preliminary maps to communities and unincorporated areas in order to help leaders and residents identify known flood risks and use that information to make decisions about buying flood insurance and how the community should move forward with any development.

To view the new flood maps, please contact your local floodplain administrator (FPA) who may be located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

To see the changes since last map visit: maps.riskmap6.com/OK/Kay_Osage/
To use a live chat service, visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 17-Jul-2012 10:36:25

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Preliminary Flood Maps In Kay County, OK Ready for Public View

Alabama Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

Birmingham, Ala. earns Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

Release Date: July 11, 2012
Release Number: R4-12-017

» 2012 Region IV News Releases

ATLANTA, Ga. — On July 10, 2012, Birmingham, Ala. was recognized at its city council meeting for its active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

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.

Policyholders in Birmingham first began receiving flood insurance discounts under the CRS program in 1994. As a result of additional steps the community has recently taken, the community moved from a CRS Class 8 to a CRS Class 6 effective May 1, 2012, earning an additional ten percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 1,050 flood insurance policies in force in Birmingham, representing more than $175 million in flood insurance coverage. Policyholders located in the high risk areas of flooding, or Special Flood Hazard Areas, can now receive a 20 percent discount on their policy premium, which is an average savings of $247 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 $262,000 because of the community’s participation in the CRS program.

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. 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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 12-Jul-2012 09:18:58

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Alabama Community Recognized For Reducing Flood Risks

Florida Community Recognized for Reducing Flood Risks

Unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla. earns Discount on Flood Insurance Premiums

Release Date: July 11, 2012
Release Number: R4-12-019

» 2012 Region IV News Releases

ATLANTA, Ga. — On July 10, 2012, unincorporated Palm Beach County, Fla. was recognized at the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners meeting for its active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program’s (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS).

Policyholders in unincorporated Palm Beach County first began receiving flood insurance discounts under the CRS program in 1991. 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 October 1, 2011, earning an additional five percent savings on flood insurance.

There are more than 74,000 flood insurance policies in force in unincorporated Palm Beach County, representing more than $19 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 $112 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 $4.2 million because of the community’s participation in the CRS program.

Last Modified: Thursday, 12-Jul-2012 09:16:35

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Florida Community Recognized for Reducing Flood Risks

FEMA: Affected Residents of Two Colorado Wildfires Could be Eligible for Immediate Flood Insurance Policies

New Law Provides 30-Day Waiting Period Exception to Policies Following Wildfires on Federal Lands

Release Date: July 10, 2012
Release Number: HQ-12-061

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced, based on consultation with the U.S. Forest Service, that residents in Colorado affected by flooding as a result of the uncontained wildfire in Waldo Canyon in the Pike National Forest and the contained wildfire in High Park in the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest could be eligible for an exception from the 30-day waiting period usually required for flood insurance coverage.

The Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, signed into law Friday by President Obama, increases access to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for some residents whose homes were impacted by flooding from federal land that resulted from wildfires. The new law exempts these residents from a 30-day waiting period for flood insurance coverage to become effective. Eligibility for the exception is determined on a case-by-case basis.

“Everyone should know their flood risk and make a smart decision based on their risk on whether they should join the millions of Americans who have purchased flood insurance for their homes,” said David Miller, Associate Administrator of the Federal Insurance and Mitigation Administration (FIMA). “Residents impacted by wildfires might live in an area that doesn’t usually have a high risk of flooding, but the fires and dry soil change conditions dramatically. This new law provides a way for people with a heightened risk of flooding following a wildfire on federal land to protect their homes and businesses, and we encourage them to explore this option.”

Individuals and businesses purchasing new insurance policies from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) are typically required to wait 30 days for their flood insurance coverage to become effective. The reform provision in this bill created an exception to that requirement for property:

That is affected by flooding on Federal land,
Where the flooding is caused, or exacerbated by, post-wildfire conditions on Federal land, and
Flood insurance was purchased not later than 60 days after the wildfire containment date.

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States in terms of lives lost and property damaged. The NFIP provides a means for property owners to financially protect themselves against flooding, which typically isn’t covered by standard homeowners insurance. The NFIP offers flood insurance to homeowners, renters, and business owners if their community participates in the NFIP. Participating communities agree to adopt and enforce ordinances that meet or exceed FEMA requirements to reduce the risk of flooding.

The National Flood Insurance Program is administered by FEMA, which works with nearly 90 private insurance companies to provide affordable flood insurance to property owners and renters in NFIP-participating communities. One of the most critical ways to financially protect your home or business and its contents from flooding is to purchase flood insurance. To learn about flood risks in your area and for information on flood insurance, contact your insurance agent, and visit www.floodsmart.gov. For more information on flood preparedness tips and ways you can protect your family before, during and after a flood visit www.ready.gov/floods.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 10-Jul-2012 18:21:32

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FEMA: Affected Residents of Two Colorado Wildfires Could be Eligible for Immediate Flood Insurance Policies

New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Dallas County, Arkansas

Release Date: June 4, 2012
Release Number: R6-12-104

DENTON, Texas – Kaufman County, Texas homeowners, business and residential renters, and business owners who do not have flood insurance are encouraged to buy coverage now to get the best possible premiums before new flood insurance rate maps go into effect.

The new Kaufman County flood maps become effective on Tuesday, July 3 giving those who haven’t purchased flood insurance yet, time to get the best possible premiums to protect their property from potential flooding.

“While many people are required by mortgage and lending companies to have flood insurance, FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) strongly recommend that everyone have flood insurance,” said Acting Region 6 Administrator Tony Robinson. “The reason is simple: You don’t have to be in a mapped floodplain to flood.”

Current policy holders and those planning to purchase NFIP protection are strongly encouraged to contact their insurance agent or company to ensure that they have adequate coverage for building and contents that accounts for new flood risk data.

Those who purchase flood insurance prior to July 3 may be able to grandfather the current flood zone, saving money on flood insurance. For more information on estimated rates for flood insurance, whether you are eligible for grandfathering, and the Preferred Risk Policy extension, or to locate an agent in your area, visit www.floodsmart.gov.

Anyone who hasn’t had a chance to participate in local flood insurance meetings or to review the new flood maps is encouraged to contact their floodplain administrator who is most likely located at City Hall or the local courthouse.

To see changes since the last FIRM visit maps.riskmap6.com/AR/Dallas
To use the live chat service, visit go.usa.gov/r6C. Click on the “Live Chat” icon.
To contact a FEMA Map Specialist, call 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627) or send an email to FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.

Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/#!/femaregion6, the R6 Preparedness website at www.fema.gov/about/regions/regionvi/updates.shtm and the FEMA Blog at blog.fema.gov.

Last Modified: Tuesday, 05-Jun-2012 13:19:01

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New Flood Maps Show Current Risks in Dallas County, Arkansas

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