1	National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Overview NFIP – provides federally-backed flood insurance to participating communities Houston – in NFIP since 1973 Community rating system (CRS), created in 1990, encourages community participation CRS – premium rates are adjusted by class (1 – 10) Reduced premiums in floodplain: Class 9 – 5%; Class 8 – 10%; Class 7 – 15%
2	National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Overview Over 100,000 flood insurance policies in Houston Over $17.8 billion coverage Approximately $38.2 million annual premiums Approximately $1.6 million annual premium reductions with a Class 8 Over 32,000 claims (estimate $774 million paid since 1978) Houston benefits with further Class reduction: Class 7, estimate annual $777,000 in premium savings Class 6, estimate $1.6 million in additional annual savings (i.e. a total premium reduction of $1.6 + $1.6 = $3.2 million)
3	Community Rating System (CRS) Overview The CRS encourages and rewards floodplain and watershed management activities that exceed the minimum standards for the NFIP Application is for a five-year cycle Annual recertification required FEMA has granted the City of Houston a Class 8 rating Houston, until last year with the inclusion of LA, was the largest community in the CRS
4	Community Rating System (CRS) Goals Reduce flood losses Protect public health and safety Reduce damage to buildings and contents Prevent increases in flood damage from new construction Reduce the risk of erosion damage Protect natural and beneficial floodplain functions Facilitate accurate insurance rating Promote the awareness of flood insurance
5	CRS Classifications Points / Premium Reductions
6	CRS 2006 Renewal Current Rating
7	CRS 2006 Renewal Proposed Plan
8	Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule Status Report Code Enforcement will set up preliminary meeting with ISO by end of July; application submitted at meeting Code Enforcement will begin data reduction activities. Data will be transferred in increments from Code Enforcement to ISO from August to December 2004; continual coordination and feedback during this time A positive review will advance City’s BCEGS score from Class 8 to Class 6 by January 2005 (lower BCEGS score required to achieve better rating for City CRS) Issues to be resolved Additional personnel to compile data for ISO Funding source for additional personnel Efforts continued in the future? (ratio of inspectors vs. permits)
9	CRS 2006 Renewal Proposed Plan .
10	CRS 2006 Renewal Action Plan Review and continually update floodplain regulations (Chapter 19 revised 04/04); revise Floodplain Management Plan Ongoing acquisition of flood-prone properties (HCFCD facilitating property buyout program) TPDES Best Management Practices Prepare Plan to document lessons learned during TS Allison (OEM) Implement City CIP Drainage Improvements Distribute CD copies of FIRMs of Harris County and incorporated communities to all City public libraries Quarterly submittal of newly accumulated CRS points Proceed with obtaining lower rating of BCEGS