Flooding & Drainage CommitteeMay 16, 2011

Participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

Participate in the Community Rating System (CRS)

Standard homeowners insurance doesn't cover flooding.

It's important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the City of Houston.

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to help provide a means for property owners to financially protect themselves.

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.

Provide the option of government subsidized flood insurance for property owners.

Flood insurance is required for federally backed mortgages for properties in the floodplain.

NFIP participation is required for federal disaster recovery assistance.

NFIP participation is required for federal grants for flood mitigation projects.

Even minimum floodplain regulations are proven to reduce risk of flood losses.

The National Flood Insurance Program's (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS) is a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements.

Flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the reduced flood risk resulting from the community actions meeting the three goals of the CRS:◦ Reduce flood losses;◦ Facilitate accurate insurance rating; and◦ Promote the awareness of flood insurance.

COH entered the CRS program in 2001 at Class 8

COH improved its rating in 2008 to Class 6 COH improved its rating in 2009 to Class 5

◦ Houston is largest City in US with Class 5 rating◦ Houston is one of 5 communities in Texas with a

Class 5 rating

Flood insurance customers in the 100 year floodplain and floodway (SFHA) save 25% on flood insurance premiums.

Flood insurance customers in the 500 year floodplain or outside of the floodplain save 10% on flood insurance premiums.

Preferred Risk Policy holders already have a discounted rate and are not eligible for the CRS discount.

As a result of COH Class 5 rating, COH property owners save a total of $10,588,000 per year on flood insurance premiums.

Annual reporting to FEMA Compliance with Chapter 19 (Code of

Ordinances) Floodplain Maintain City’s drainage system Public Outreach on Flood Hazard Awareness Track repetitive loss properties Inspect permitted projects within floodplain Provide Flood Insurance Map access and

information to the community

Development Permit required for any activity in a designated Floodplain/Floodway

Floodplain development requires minimum slab elevation 12 inches above BFE

Zero net fill in the floodplain (mitigation required for fill)

Floodway development requires open foundation construction, minimum low chord elevation 18 inches above BFE and no impact to flood levels in the area

Floodway development requires conveyance mitigation

Projects are underway that will reduce flood risk in areas of our community. ◦ Floodway and floodplain changes to White Oak

Bayou approved by FEMA. Physical Map Revision is pending.

◦ Conditional Letter of Map Revision under review by FEMA for Sims Bayou Watershed

◦ Brays Bayou Project is under construction