TEMPLATE PUBLIC TALKING POINTS - MAINTENANCE PHASE
NEW FLOOD MAPS BECOME EFFECTIVE FOR [NAME OF COMMUNITY]
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New flood hazard maps, known as Flood Insurance Rate Maps, or FIRMs, became effective for
[community name]. [In cooperation with [county name] County, [community name] and other
local communities], the maps were developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) based on the latest digital mapping technology using the best data available.
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The new maps show – on a property-by-property basis -- the extent to which areas of the
[community] are currently at risk for flooding.
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When the maps are issued, residents and business owners in many parts of the [community]
may find their flood risk is higher or lower than they thought.
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The process for adopting the updated maps includes ample time to address questions and
concerns that someone may have about how the changes could affect them.
HOW THE MAPS AND MAP PRODUCTS WILL BENEFIT [NAME OF COMMUNITY]
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The flood maps incorporate new models and technology and therefore are more precise than
previous maps.
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The maps replace the outdated versions and studies that no longer represent the
[community’s/county’s] current flood risk.
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The new maps also take into account the changes in topography, land use, and drainage
patterns since the last studies were performed.
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The maps make clear where serious flooding is likely to occur – even if it hasn’t flooded in the
area recently.
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The maps provide a new standard for determining the elevation that a serious flood will reach.
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Now, [community name] has important tools to help better understand flood risk on a
communitywide and property-specific basis.
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Planners, builders, developers, and contractors have better flood risk information to guide
building and remodeling decisions.
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Home and business owners have a more complete and up to date picture of their own flood risk
as they make decisions about reducing the devastating financial effects a flood can cause.
MAP CHANGES MEAN CHANGES IN FLOOD INSURANCE AND BUILDING REQUIREMENTS
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Property owners with mortgages on properties located in the newly mapped high-risk areas will
soon receive a notice from their lender asking for proof of flood insurance. This is because all
federally regulated or insured lenders require flood insurance on buildings in high-risk areas, up
to the first $250,000 of the mortgage.
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If property owners already have a policy in force when the new maps took effect – and coverage
is maintained -- property owners can maintain the lower-risk zone designation or the base flood
elevation for future rating, hence lowering flood insurance costs.
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Property owners mapped out of a high-risk flood area to a moderate-low risk area will receive a
notice from their lender indicating that flood insurance is no longer required. Flood insurance is
still strongly recommended because the risk of flooding has only been reduced, not removed.
Nearly 25 percent of all flood claims occur in areas of moderate- to low-flood risk. Flood waters
don’t stop at the flood zone boundaries.
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Existing flood insurance policies may be eligible for conversion to a lower-cost Preferred Risk
Policy with a refund of the difference in premium and no gap in coverage. Premiums start at
just $129 a year.
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For those newly mapped into a high-risk zone, cost-saving options are available, including an
insurance rating process known as “grandfathering.” For those now mapped into a moderateor low-risk zone, flood insurance will be less expensive.
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If you’re thinking about building or remodeling, you’ll want to know about the flood elevations
indicated on the map. All buildings must be constructed in accordance with the new flood zones
and new base flood elevations shown on the new map. Contact the [building department
contact at county/community] for more information.
UPDATE FLOOD RISK INFORMATION = MORE RESILIENT [COMMUNITY NAME]
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The new flood risk information allows for [community name] to identify mitigation projects to
help reduce the risk for flooding in these targeted areas.
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As [community name] grows, then drainage patterns will change due to development, changes
to land use and stormwater management projects.
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As drainage patterns change and [community name] acquires updated flood-related data (e.g.,
rainfall, elevations, hydrologic or hydraulic data), the flood maps can then be updated to more
accurately reflect the current flood risk.
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[Community name] will continue to look for strategic ways to reduce the risk of flooding at the
[community/county] level and encourage business owners and home owners to look at how
they can individually reduce their financial and physical risks to flooding (e.g., elevating
equipment, adding flood vents, purchasing flood insurance on the building and contents).
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Reducing the flood risk in [community name] is a shared responsibility between the community
and its citizens. Together, we can make a more resilient community and be able to recover
more quickly the next time a flood strikes [community name].