The arrival of cold weather doesn't mean that the risk of flooding is over. In fact, winter often brings severe conditions such as snow, heavy rains, melting, and ice jams, which can pose major problems for home and business owners in your community. In coastal areas, winter storms such as Nor’easters often generate high winds that can cause widespread beach erosion and coastal flooding.
Some communities in western states face days and even weeks of rain during the winter months, and others face an increased risk of flooding because of wildfires that burn away vegetation and leave the ground barren and unable to absorb water. Near the end of the season, melting snow can flow into lakes, streams and rivers, causing excess water to spill over their banks or overtop levees.
Now is a good time to ensure that residents of your community are protected by flood insurance. Encourage them to visit FloodSmart.gov to learn about their flood risk and find an agent who can protect them with a flood insurance policy. In addition, visit FloodSmart’s new partner section at
www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/partner/partner_index.jsp to learn about the wide variety of communications tools that are available to you, such as:
• Testimonials from home and business owners impacted by flooding.
• Shareable interactive tools that you can post on your own websites.
• A Map Updates Toolkit and links to information about map changes around the United States, which will help residents of your community better understand their flooding risks.
• A Flood Outreach Toolkit, which provides resources to help the audiences you communicate with on a regular basis (other community officials, the public and the media) understand the importance of flood preparedness and protection. The materials are designed to support your outreach to victims of flood disasters. The materials include core messages and information about flood risk and flood insurance that are appropriate for use in most areas of the country. Find this toolkit online at www.floodsmart.gov/toolkits.
Two-Year PRP Eligibility Extension Working Well Two-Year PRP Eligibility Extension Continues to Benefit Policyholders
On January 1, 2011, FEMA launched a new rating option called the Two-Year Preferred Risk Policy Eligibility Extension that enables property owners who find themselves newly mapped into high-risk areas to save money on their policies. To help launch the new rating option, FEMA used the FloodSmart campaign to reach out to the public, agents, WYOs, community officials and other stakeholder groups.
The purpose was to inform them about the new cost-savings option and how property owners could apply. The various stakeholder groups showed great support by sharing the information.
FEMA recently updated a WYO industry committee on its progress and reported that 40,000 PRP Extensions are currently in force (through August 2011), with up to 100,000 expected by year’s-end. FEMA complimented and thanked the WYOs, agents, and community officials for helping make this a successful launch!
Make sure as your county or community goes through a mapping change that you are promoting both grandfathering and the 2-Year PRP Extension as well. For more information, go to FloodSmart.gov/prpextension.
AnnouncementsNFIP Extended Until December 16 - With the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) facing expiration on November 18, 2011, Congress passed on November 17th (and the President then signed) a short-term funding bill that included an extension of the NFIP. This extension expires on December 16, 2011. It is important that insurance agents and WYO companies continue to monitor the status of the NFIP. Should the Program lapse, FEMA has issued updated guidance for agents and WYOs in NFIP Bulletin W-11084
(www.nfipiservice.com/stakeholder/pdf/bulletin/w-11084.pdf).
Share your thoughts on this newsletter - As part of our continuing effort to ensure that our newsletter is meeting your needs, we are soliciting input on its content, frequency, and subject matter. Please let us know what you think by emailing us at info@femafloodsmart.com.
Showing posts with label NFIP. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NFIP. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Friday, March 19, 2010
Salem Wins Floodplain Management Recognition
Already a Bargain, Salem Residents to Pay Even Less for Flood Insurance
» 2010 Region X News Releases
SALEM, Ore. – City of Salem residents are about to pay even less for flood insurance, as a direct result of their community’s continued active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, they’ll not only qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums, but enjoy reduced vulnerability to flood hazards as well.
"The CRS rewards communities for implementing programs and policies which protect their citizens from floods. Such activities can range from mapping, regulations and flood damage reduction to flood preparedness and public awareness programs," said Hunsinger. "Salem's high regulatory standards, public education outreach and elevation certificate initiatives have earned a CRS Class 7 rating."
Flood insurance premium reductions resulting from qualifying community activities run in five percent increments, from five to 45 percent. Class ratings range from Ten to One. The higher the flood protection activity, the lower the Class rating. Total NFIP coverage in Salem is over $221 million, with average annual premiums of $848. With 1,042 policies currently in force within the city limits, that’s an average savings of around $112 per policy.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
ATTENTION NEWS ROOMS: FEMA Region X Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont will present the City of Salem with an official CRS plaque Monday, 22 March 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 555 Liberty Street SE in Salem. Contact: Sara Jondahl (503) 588-6211.
» 2010 Region X News Releases
SALEM, Ore. – City of Salem residents are about to pay even less for flood insurance, as a direct result of their community’s continued active participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Community Rating System (CRS). According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, they’ll not only qualify for reduced flood insurance premiums, but enjoy reduced vulnerability to flood hazards as well.
"The CRS rewards communities for implementing programs and policies which protect their citizens from floods. Such activities can range from mapping, regulations and flood damage reduction to flood preparedness and public awareness programs," said Hunsinger. "Salem's high regulatory standards, public education outreach and elevation certificate initiatives have earned a CRS Class 7 rating."
Flood insurance premium reductions resulting from qualifying community activities run in five percent increments, from five to 45 percent. Class ratings range from Ten to One. The higher the flood protection activity, the lower the Class rating. Total NFIP coverage in Salem is over $221 million, with average annual premiums of $848. With 1,042 policies currently in force within the city limits, that’s an average savings of around $112 per policy.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
ATTENTION NEWS ROOMS: FEMA Region X Federal Coordinating Officer Dolph Diemont will present the City of Salem with an official CRS plaque Monday, 22 March 2010 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of City Hall, 555 Liberty Street SE in Salem. Contact: Sara Jondahl (503) 588-6211.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Flood season is coming - get insurance now
Flooding causes millions of dollars in damage yearly and the only way renters and homeowners can insure their property against such losses is with flood insurance. Flood insurance should be purchased now because there is a 30 waiting period before the policy will take effect and already the rains are upon us.
Floods can happen because of heavy rains, leaking levies, urban runoff, sandbags forcing water to other areas and rivers changing course.
Many people believe the following myths:
Myth 1: If my home floods, FEMA will come and fix it for me.
Truth: If the flooding is severe enough, the Governor may ask for a Federal declaration. If the President approves, FEMA may assist you with temporary housing and MINOR repairs. There are always loans but insurance is your best bet.
If the flooding is not severe enough to warrant government assistance, flood insurance will still help cover your losses. Without it, you would be stuck paying for repairs out of pocket. We often see flooding situations where stream or urban runoff impacts a few homes and therefore does not qualify for any government disaster aid. In those situations, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy can save a homeowner or renter considerable financial losses.
Myth 2: My regular homeowner’s insurance will cover me if I get flooded.
Truth: The average home or business insurance policy does not cover flooding or other special events like earthquake. You need to get separate policies for these disasters.
The basic facts:
Homeowners can insure a home structure up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. These can be two separate policies. Contents are not automatically included.
Renters can cover belongings up to $100,000. Non-residential property owners can insure buildings and contents up to $500,000.
The average yearly cost of a NFIP policy is around $400. Policies can be purchased from your local insurance agent if your county is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program. Call your insurance agent for details.
The NFIP was created in 1968 to provide flood insurance at a reasonable cost and is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
More information on the National Flood Insurance program and your home’s flood risk can be found at www.floodsmart.gov .
Be informed and go to www.FEMA.gov for more information on different types of disasters. Oregon Emergency Management wants Oregonians to be well informed and prepared.
Floods can happen because of heavy rains, leaking levies, urban runoff, sandbags forcing water to other areas and rivers changing course.
Many people believe the following myths:
Myth 1: If my home floods, FEMA will come and fix it for me.
Truth: If the flooding is severe enough, the Governor may ask for a Federal declaration. If the President approves, FEMA may assist you with temporary housing and MINOR repairs. There are always loans but insurance is your best bet.
If the flooding is not severe enough to warrant government assistance, flood insurance will still help cover your losses. Without it, you would be stuck paying for repairs out of pocket. We often see flooding situations where stream or urban runoff impacts a few homes and therefore does not qualify for any government disaster aid. In those situations, a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policy can save a homeowner or renter considerable financial losses.
Myth 2: My regular homeowner’s insurance will cover me if I get flooded.
Truth: The average home or business insurance policy does not cover flooding or other special events like earthquake. You need to get separate policies for these disasters.
The basic facts:
Homeowners can insure a home structure up to $250,000 and its contents up to $100,000. These can be two separate policies. Contents are not automatically included.
Renters can cover belongings up to $100,000. Non-residential property owners can insure buildings and contents up to $500,000.
The average yearly cost of a NFIP policy is around $400. Policies can be purchased from your local insurance agent if your county is a participant in the National Flood Insurance Program. Call your insurance agent for details.
The NFIP was created in 1968 to provide flood insurance at a reasonable cost and is administered by the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
More information on the National Flood Insurance program and your home’s flood risk can be found at www.floodsmart.gov .
Be informed and go to www.FEMA.gov for more information on different types of disasters. Oregon Emergency Management wants Oregonians to be well informed and prepared.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Myth Number 3
My insurance policy will take care of everything.
SWAT teams of insurance agents aren't going to instantly rebuild your life like on TV. Insurance companies will be far more concerned about their own bottom line than yours. In fact, many insurance companies are rewriting policies to redefine some rather common terrorism or disaster related incidents as being excluded and not coverable. Check your policies closely!
AND - regular home owner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You must have nation flood insurance (NFIP). You can buy both the contents and the propery coverage from you home owner's insurance agent if your area is in a participating community. Check with your agent.
SWAT teams of insurance agents aren't going to instantly rebuild your life like on TV. Insurance companies will be far more concerned about their own bottom line than yours. In fact, many insurance companies are rewriting policies to redefine some rather common terrorism or disaster related incidents as being excluded and not coverable. Check your policies closely!
AND - regular home owner's insurance does not cover flood damage. You must have nation flood insurance (NFIP). You can buy both the contents and the propery coverage from you home owner's insurance agent if your area is in a participating community. Check with your agent.
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