Cityscape, August 2009

Q: What is the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)?
A: The NFIP is a component of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) which has three basic functions;

1. Flood Insurance – When a city becomes a member of the NFIP, it makes citizens, business owners and the city eligible to purchase flood insurance. Flood insurance can then be purchased through the NFIP or through a private insurance company or agent.
2. Floodplain Management – Floodplain management includes the adoption of “corrective and preventative measures for reducing flood damage. These measures take a variety of forms and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, and special-purpose floodplain ordinances.(www.fema.gov)”
3. Flood Hazard Mapping- FEMA maintains and updates the NFIP maps. These maps determine where the 100 year and 500 year flood plains are located within their cities which therefore help them to administrate floodplain ordinances.

Q: Is my city required to be a member of the NFIP?
A: Although on a federal level participation in the NFIP is optional, a bill was passed during the 2009 Iowa legislative session that requires that all cities with flood hazard areas within their boundaries participate in the NFIP. Cities without flood hazard areas are NOT required to enter into the program.

Q: How can I find out if my city is already a member of the NFIP or if my city has flood hazard areas within its boundaries?
A: FEMA provides a listing of all municipalities that have flood hazard areas within their boundaries and whether of not that municipality is currently participating in the National Flood Insurance Program. This list can be found at www.fema.gov/fema/csb.shtm.

Q: How does my city join the NFIP?
A: There are three basic methods for joining:

1. Fill out a Application for Participation, available at www.fema.gov/library/viewRecord.do?id=2557.
2. Develop a Resolution of Intent: Which FEMA describes as a document “which indicates an explicit desire to participate in the NFIP and commitment to recognize flood hazards and carry out the objectives of the Program.” Sample Resolution 1 (Home Rule)  Sample Resolution 2 (Zoning)
3. Adopt and Submit Floodplain Management Regulations: These regulations must meet or exceed the minimum flood plain management requirements of the NFIP. Model ordinances for cities are available here: Sample Ordinance 1 (Home Rule), Sample Ordinance 2 (Zoning)

Q: How long does my city have to become a member of the NFIP?
A: Under the recently adopted state law, if your city already has an effective flood insurance rate map or a flood hazard boundary map published by FEMA, the city has until June 30, 2011 to become a member and meet the requirements of the program; however, if the city does not currently have a map the city has 24 months from the creation of the effective map. Map information can be found at www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/scripts/ST_srch.asp?state=IA.

Q: What are the benefits of being/becoming a member of the NFIP?
A: Membership in the NFIP allows citizens, business owners and the city to become eligible to purchase flood insurance. Flood Insurance can then be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program or through a private insurance company or agent at a reduced rate because the city is a member of the NFIP. Membership also allows the city to become more aware of potential flooding in their city and to help protect their citizens, businesses and the city itself from potential damages resulting from flooding. Finally, membership provides access to a variety of other hazard mitigation and post-disaster resources through the state and federal government.

Q: What happens if my city has a hazard flood area in its boundary and does not become a member of NFIP within the allowed time frame?
A: If a city is located within a flood hazard area and does not join the program and follow the terms of the program within the time allowed and that city is flooded, the city is no longer eligible to receive state financial assistance for their flood-related damages, as provided under Iowa Code section 29C.6, subsection 17, paragraph “a”.

Q: What costs are associated with a city joining the NFIP?
A: There are costs related to:

1. Creating the ordinance necessary to enforce the provisions of the NFIP in your community to conform to any current zoning or other ordinances that the city has in place.
2. Enforcing the ordinance, including the possibility of additional staff, training and consulting fees specifically dealing with the renovations to existing structures or the addition of new ones. This includes the requiring and approving of permits, inspecting property and citing violations.
3. Modifying any municipal buildings located within the flood plain and to purchase flood insurance on these structures.

Q: How do I obtain additional Information?
A: Additional information for state and local officials can be found at www.fema.gov/business/nfip/infosl.shtm.