TXCHART
Open House Toolkit for Local Officials
August 2012
The attached materials include key messages and communications materials FEMA offers to
communities to promote the mapping Open House.
This toolkit includes:
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Sample news release
Sample public service announcement (PSA)
Content for use on community websites
Talking points about the Open Houses and the TXCHART program
Sample flyer
Sample newspaper advertisement
Sample Slides for Community Meeting Announcement
Social Media messages – for Community Twitter
Sample News Release
New Flood Insurance Rate Maps Proposed by FEMA for COUNTY
Public Open House scheduled for DATE
DATELINE –The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) released proposed changes
to the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) for COUNTY for public comment. These proposed
changes were issued preliminary to COUNTY and the incorporated areas on DATE. The
proposed FIRMs indicate flood-prone areas in COUNTY. Insurance companies use FIRMs to
determine flood insurance rates for buildings and contents.
Everyone is encouraged to know their flood risk. COUNTY will hold a public workshop on the
proposed changes to the FIRM at LOCATION on DAY, DATE from TIME. Using the
interactive maps online at this Open House, representatives from the State, County and
INCORPORATED AREAS, as well as FEMA and their mapping partners, will be available to
answer floodplain and flood insurance questions.
Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States; it is vital that property owners
understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood
insurance. The proposed maps are an update of the existing FIRM, which dates back to YEAR.
The FIRM and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are the basis for the floodplain
management measures COUNTY is required to have in effect in order to remain eligible for
participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
As a result of these map changes, some buildings in COUNTY may, for the first time, be
included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area. This may result in
those affected homeowners being required to purchase flood insurance.
Additional information is available on the county’s website INSERT
WEBSITE, and more information, including links to the interactive mapping website, can be
found on www.txchart.com.
Residents with additional questions can contact the STATE/LOCAL AGENCY at PHONE or
EMAIL.
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Sample Public Service Announcement
30 Second (Should be between 60 and 75 words)
Do you know your flood risk? If you live or work in (County), plan to attend an Open House to
learn more about your risk and new FEMA flood maps. Local, County and FEMA officials will
be available to answer questions about the maps and flood insurance.
The meeting is being held on MONTH XXth, at LOCATION, from X:00 pm. until Y:00 p.m.
For more information, visit COMMUNITY WEBSITE or call INSERT PHONE.
15 Second (Should be between 30 and 35 words)
Do you know your flood risk? Attend an Open House hosted by COUNTY. Get answers to
your questions about new flood maps and flood insurance. MONTH XXth, at LOCATION, X:00
pm. until Y:00 p.m.
For more information, visit COMMUNITY WEBSITE.
Website Story
Do you know your flood risk? Local and County officials are hosting a Flood Risk Open House
to provide citizens in COUNTY with an opportunity to learn more about newly released flood
maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Both county/community officials as well
as FEMA representatives will be on hand to answer citizens’ questions about the maps, the
mapping process and flood insurance.
The Open House is scheduled for DATE, TIME at the LOCATION. During the meeting,
residents will be able to locate their property on the new maps and view the changes as compared
to the last FIRM. Once residents view this information, they will have the chance to talk to
members of the project team, flood insurance professionals, and local, county and state officials.
Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States; it is vital that property owners
understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them, including flood
insurance. The proposed maps in COUNTY are an update of the existing FIRM, which dates
back to YEAR. The FIRM and the associated Flood Insurance Study (FIS) are the basis for the
floodplain management measures COUNTY is required to have in effect in order to remain
eligible for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
As a result of these map changes, some buildings in COUNTY may, for the first time, be
included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the Special Flood Hazard Area. This may result in
those affected homeowners being required to purchase flood insurance.
Local, state and federal partners collaborated to identify coastal flood risk in COUNTYfollowing
the release of a an extensive storm surge study from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers which
takes into account the most recent hurricanes, including Hurricane Ike.
For more information or to access the mapping portal where you can view the updated maps,
visit www.txchart.com.
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Talking Points for Local Officials
Overarching Messages
 Coastal Texas residents must be informed; it is up to everyone to know their risk, know
their role, and take action to reduce their risk.
 Through flood studies and updated maps, communities in coastal areas are receiving
more precise information about the flood risks where they live and work.
 Share this information with your friends and neighbors. Know your coastal flood risk
and have a plan before a flood or storm event impacts your community. Contact your
local Floodplain Administrator, and visit TXCHART.com, FloodSmart.gov and
Ready.gov for more information on flood risk and how to prepare.
New Maps and Information
 FEMA’s TXCHART website, www.txchart.com is a great source for information. On the
site, there are a number of fact sheets about flood insurance, the TXCHART program,
mitigation actions and other related information.
 The TXCHART website also has a link that enables residents to view the maps for their
specific location.
 As a result of changes in the FIRM:
o Some homes will be included in the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), i.e., the
FEMA regulated 100-year flood plain, for the first time
 If, based on the new maps, the building is in the floodplain (SFHA zones
“A” or “AE”) and is mortgaged through a federally-regulated and
insured lender, the property owner will, most likely, be required to carry
flood insurance after the new maps go into effect
 If the building is not currently in the floodplain on the existing maps,
owners may be eligible for lower-cost “grandfathered” rates if
homeowners can acquire flood insurance before the new FIRMs are
finalized. Eligibility for grandfathered rates may be time sensitive.
Once the new maps are adopted by FEMA, likely before MONTH YEAR,
homeowners may no longer be eligible for the lower cost grandfathered
rates. Insurance agents are the best resource for current rates
o Some homes will be removed from the mapped floodplain (SFHA)
 If the building is currently mapped in a SFHA but, under the new FIRM,
it is mapped into a moderate-low risk flood area, flood insurance may no
longer be required
 However, the mortgage holder/lender may still elect to require flood
insurance
 Homeowners and renters, at their discretion, maintain flood insurance, but
at the lower rates offered to buildings outside the SFHA
 Some homes will remain in the mapped floodplain (SFHA)
o If the building is currently mapped in the floodplain, and is also shown on the
new FIRM as in an SFHA, zone “A” or “AE”, and is mortgaged through a
federally-regulated and insured lender, the lender is mandated by Congress to
require flood insurance
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Regardless of the FEMA flood designation ofbuildings, if you feel your building is at risk
of flooding, you may still purchase flood insurance.
Living along the Coast means Living with Risk
 In addition to sudden and severe storms and surge issues, flat-lying coastal areas are also
subject to more long-term issues such as subsidence and coastal erosion.
 Coastal residents should be prepared in the event of a natural disaster. Take action to
help reduce the impact of these events and have a plan in place. Visit www.ready.gov for
more information.
 Flooding is the number one natural disaster in the United States; it is vital that property
owners understand their risk and take advantage of tools or programs available to them,
including flood insurance.
 Coastal areas are some of the most “at-risk” areas since they are impacted by large
amounts of water and waves. Hurricanes and tropical storms can cause storm surges to
combine with normal tides.
 Flooding occurs not only in the high-risk areas known as “Special Flood Hazard Areas”,
but also in moderate- to low-risk areas. In fact, over 20 percent of all flood insurance
claims nationally come from areas mapped outside the high-risk flood zones.
Flood Insurance
 Flood insurance requirements are based on current effective Flood Insurance Rate Maps
(FIRMs).
 Flood insurance is available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a
federally underwritten program, and is purchased through licensed insurance agents. For
more information on flood insurance, visit the NFIP website, www.floodsmart.gov.
 The NFIP provides flood insurance in more than 21,000 communities nationwide who
agree to adopt and enforce sound floodplain management regulations. The average cost
of a flood policy is around $600 a year. In moderate- to low flood-risk areas, building and
contents coverage can start at just $129 a year.
 FEMA recommends that all residents and business owners in the coastal Texas area
purchase flood insurance to help protect their financial investment.
 Knowing where and when map changes are occurring will help citizens understand what
insurance options will best apply. Once Preliminary FIRMs are released, visit the
interactive mapping page of TXCHART.com to view any flood changes since the last
FIRM.
TXCHART
 Texas Coastal Hazard Analysis Resources and Technology (TXCHART)
 TXCHART is FEMA’s comprehensive approach to integrating flood hazard
identification and analysis with risk communication for 17 coastal Texas counties.
 The 17 Texas coastal counties are Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers,
Galveston, Harris, Jackson, Jefferson, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, Orange, Refugio,
San Patricio, Victoria, and Willacy.
 TXCHART gathered data from complex storm surge models and riverine models to
define the special flood hazard areas along the Texas coast.
Flyer Template
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FLOOD RISK?
FIND OUT MORE
FLOOD RISK OPEN HOUSE
Join [COMMUNITY/COUNTY] for an opportunity to
view the newly updated Flood Maps
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Find your property on new flood maps and learn your flood risk
Get Answers to your question from (County) and FEMA Representatives
Learn about Flood Insurance from the experts
DATE, TIME
LOCATION
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP
For more information, visit www.txchart.com or call LOCAL FLOODPLAIN
ADMINISTRATOR’S OFFICE at 555.555.1212.
Sample Advertisement
DO YOU KNOW YOUR FLOOD RISK?
Learn about more at the Flood Risk Open House
[COUNTY/COMMUNITY] [is Hosting an Open House to Show Proposed New Flood Maps
If you live or do business in COUNTY/COMMUNITY or the following areas], your flood risk
may be changing.
[LIST OF COMMUNITIES IN PROJECT AREA]
Learn about your risk of flooding and what the new flood maps mean to you.
Open House
[DATE, TIME]
[LOCATION]
[Community officials, FEMA representatives, and insurance representatives] will be available to
answer your questions.
For more information or if you are unable to attend, contact [COMMUNITY] to learn more or
visit www.txchart.com.
TXCHART Community Tweets
1. Know your flood risk? Come [TONIGHT/DATE] to Open House [LOCATION] at [TIME] to view
new FEMA flood maps
2. Flood risks are changing. See new FEMA Flood Maps on [DATE] at [TIME] at Open House:
[LOCATION]
3. Do you need flood insurance? Come [TONIGHT/DATE] to Open House [LOCATION] at [TIME] to
view new FEMA flood maps
4. Learn more about [COUNTY] County’s new flood maps. Open House on [DATE] at [TIME],
[LOCATION]
5. Everyone is at risk of flooding. Find out your flood risk on the new flood maps. Open House on
[DATE] at [TIME], [LOCATION]
6. Coastal areas are some of the most at-risk areas for flooding. See new FEMA flood maps at
[LOCATION], [TIME] at [TIME].
7. More than 20% of flood insurance claims come from outside mapped high-risk areas. Come to
[COUNTY] County Open House to see new flood maps. More info @ [COUNTY WEBSITE]
8. Updated FEMA flood maps now show current risks in [COUNTY] County. Join us for Open
House. More info @ [COUNTY WEBSITE]
9. Everyone lives in a flood zone. Yours may have changed. Open House on [DATE] at [TIME],
[LOCATION]
10. Has your flood risk changed? New Flood Maps are out. Open House on [DATE] at [TIME],
[LOCATION]