Did you know that municipalities can get discounted flood insurance premiums for their residents when they implement public education, mapping, regulatory, and other strategies to reduce flood risks? They do this by participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System, a voluntary incentive program that recognizes and encourages community floodplain management activities that exceed the minimum NFIP requirements. These activities can also result in important safety, economic, fiscal, and quality of life benefits.
Regional development organizations (RDOs) can play a critical part in facilitating local governments’ participation in the NFIP Community Rating System program. RDOs can share information; provide GIS mapping services; collect data; support multi-jurisdictional activities that are eligible for credits; coordinate local, state, and federal partners; and much more. The assistance of RDOs can be particularly helpful in small towns that lack the staff capacity to join the program but that are home to insurance policyholders who could benefit from it.
On October 2, the NADO Research Foundation hosted a webinar titled The National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System: An Introduction and Discussion of the RDO Role. Trainers from FEMA provided an overview of the NFIP Community Rating System and facilitated a discussion on the RDO role in helping local governments take advantage of it. Additionally, a speaker from a regional commission shared his organization’s work to assist localities with participation in the program.
Click here for the webinar PowerPoint slides (PDF).
Presenters:
- Bill Lesser, National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System Coordinator, FEMA, Washington, DC
- Barbara Fitzpatrick, Senior Floodplain Specialist, FEMA Region VIII, Denver, CO
- Eddie Wells, Director of Community Development Programs, Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission, Roanoke, VA
Moderator:
- Megan McConville, Program Manager, NADO Research Foundation
This webinar was conducted with support from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Contact Megan McConville at [email protected] with any questions.
