Bexar Regional Watershed Management Partnership Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) August 2010

Transcription

1 Bexar Regional Watershed Management Partnership Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps (DFIRMs) August

2 AGENDA Bexar Regional Watershed San Antonio River Authority Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) information information Additional use of DFIRM data Key Points to Remember and Moving Forward Federal Emergency Management Agency National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) information Bexar County Capital Improvement Projects (CIPs) City of San Antonio Role in Floodplain Management Questions & Answers with staff from: San Antonio River Authority Federal Emergency Management Agency Texas Water Development Board Bexar County City of San Antonio 2

3 Bexar Regional Watershed Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map (DFIRM) Panel 3

4 Why Update the Floodplain Maps? Photos: San Antonio Express-News 4

5 Possible Causes of Floodplain Changes Bexar Regional Watershed Updated terrain data (2 contours vs. 10 contours) Land use/land cover changes Development Patterns and Increased Impervious Cover Letters of Map Revision (LOMR) Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Increase in 1% annual chance (100-yr) precipitation total based on updated statistical analysis (10 inches in 24 hours; previously 9.91 inches) 5

6 Map Adoption Timeline Update Process Begins 05 Spring 08 Public Meetings Summer 08 Public Meetings Summer 10 Public Meetings Summer 07 Public Meetings & Website 90-Day Public Comment Period May Aug. 08 Summer 09 Public Meetings DFIRM Effective Date: Sept. 29,

7 Results Adoption of DFIRMs allows community to remain in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) - Subsidized flood insurance - Federal disaster aid available to community Failure to adopt DFIRMs could result in suspension from the NFIP 7

8 Existing/New Floodplain 8

9 DFIRM website Bexar Regional Watershed DFIRM floodplains Current effective FIRM floodplains Aerial imagery NFIP information Website will be regularly updated 9

10 SARA s Major Activities Using DFIRM

11 Key DFIRM Points to Remember Bexar Regional Watershed Flooding can happen anywhere, but certain areas are especially prone to serious flooding DFIRMs show level of risk and provide an official depiction of flood hazards for each community and for properties located within it High-risk areas have at least a 1% annual chance of flooding, which equates to a 26% chance of flooding over the life of a 30-year mortgage Flood risk can change over time - When new maps are issued, your risk may have changed as well, along with your flood insurance requirements 11

12 Contact information Linda Delamare Regional Insurance Specialist Region 6 Denton, Texas Linda.delamare@dhs.gov

13 Flood Insurance Maps FEMA is currently updating and modernizing the nation s flood maps. The new maps will reflect recent changes to floodplains and flood risks

14 When is Flood Insurance Required Lenders/Banks will require Flood insurance if your building or property is in Special Flood Hazard Area know as a Flood Zone A, AE or V/VE And the loan is federally back

15 Purpose of Insurance / Flood Insurance Rate maps Flood Insurance Rate maps are used by Insurance Agents to rate flood policies Flood Zones A, AE,B,C, X and V, VE The Flood Zone determines the insurance rate based on your risk

16 Flood Map Changes Flood insurance rates are based on current effective Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Flood Insurance rates will not change until the map changes We encourage citizens to purchase flood insurance early to reduce cost

17 Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) Flood maps show the high-risk areas where there is at least a one-percentannual-chance of flooding. The maps also show the low- or moderate-risk areas where flood insurance is optional but recommended In these areas, also known as Special Flood Hazard Areas, (B,C and X)

18 How new map changes effect rates When flood zones change, flood insurance rates will change as well. However, property owners may be able to take advantage of certain cost saving options available through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

19 Purchasing flood insurance before maps become effective Purchasing insurance before the maps become final for properties when moving from low-moderate risk zones to high risk zones. Including those NFIP policyholders who have Built in compliance with the FIRM benefit Able to lock in their current Flood Zone

20 Types of Insurance Rates Pre-FIRM Construction before on or before the effective date of the initial FIRM for the community. (Bexar 10/16/1984 San Antonio 12/15/83 Preferred Risk Eligibility: the building must be in a B, C, or X Zone on the effective date of the policy. Post FIRM Construction After the in initial FIRM

21 Locking in Flood Zones not rates Purchases a policy before the map changes; e.g. Preferred Risk Policy* ( in low or moderate flood zone B,C,X; Having a policy locks in the flood zone and base flood elevation as long as continuous coverage is maintained; or *Note: At the first renewal, the PRP must be re-written with standard low/moderate flood zone rates; the ZONE is grandfathered.

22 Ways to save Grandfathering There are also ways for owners of some structures moving into high-risk zones to save. Existing policyholders may be able to use the rate charged for the lower-risk zone through a process known as grandfathering

23 How Grandfathering Works If a policy is obtained before a new map becomes effective, policyholders can retain the rate associated with the previous map s flood zone and BFE, as long as continuous coverage has been maintained.

24 Grandfathering Insurance requirements PRE- FIRM anything constructed before the initial FIRM You must purchase before the map becomes effective in order to Grandfather (You only have one chance!!! To lock in the Zone) Post FIRM after initial FIRM you have two options you may purchase insurance before or after the maps become effective. However if you wait you will need to provide proof that construction occurred after the initial to Grandfather

25 Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) Preferred Risk Policy (PRP) Eligibility-low/moderate flood zone (B,C,X) and minimal loss history of no more than one claim equal to $1,000 * Premium packages ($119-$348) However If FIRM is revised property is no longer in low or moderate flood zone (B,C,X) PRP policy is not eligible However the Policy is rated using standard low to moderate flood zone rate *Note: At the first renewal, the PRP must be re-written with standard low/moderate flood zone rates; the ZONE is grandfathered.

26 Preferred Insurance Rate Owners of properties that move from a highrisk zone to a low- or moderate-risk zone may be eligible for reduced insurance rates by converting to a Preferred Risk Policy (PRP). A PRP covers both a structure and its contents, and offers substantial savings. A PRP can be obtained for as little as $112 a year.

27 Applies to Pre-FIRM and Post-FIRM structures A policyholder who purchases flood insurance prior to the effective date of a revised FIRM Must maintain continuous coverage to lock your flood zone Insurance can be purchased up to the day before the effective date Should you sell your home the policy can be assigned to a new owner, providing it is transferred with no lapse of coverage

28 Summary Effective FIRM s are used by agents when determining flood insurance rates Grandfathering locks in zone, not rate Early purchase can keep premiums at lower costs

29 Thank you Fema.gov

30 Bexar County Infrastructure Services Flood Control Division 5 Watersheds. 1 County. 30

31 Bexar County Flood Control Program Working with BRWM partners to identify regional capital improvement projects - drainage area greater that 960 acres (1.5 sq miles) 10-year Program Approximately $500 million Flexible funding through Certificates of Obligation allows County to respond to changing or emergency needs 31

32 Bexar County Flood Control Program Phase I (24 Projects) 3 groundbreakings in 2010: Shepherd Road at Elm Creek & Black Hill Branch Construction Cost: $2.1 million Start August 2010 Mid-Beitel Creek Channel Restoration Construction Cost $1.2 million Start Nov 2010 Olmos Dam Construction Cost $4 million Start in August 2010 Phase II 22 new projects 32

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34 Arturo Villarreal, P.E., C.F.M. Division Manager Bexar County Flood Control (210)

35 The City of San Antonio s Floodplain Management Role Nefi Garza, PE, CFM Assistant Public Works Director Robert J. Browning, PE, CFM Chief Storm Water Engineer Presented August, 2010

36 Who We Are Public Works Department As FEMA s designated Floodplain Administrator within corporate City Limits, administers the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

37 Who We Are / What We Do PW/ Storm Water Operations Division 270 Employees Natural and Improved Channel Maintenance Surface Maintenance Underground Storm Drain Maintenance and Repair Drainage System Repairs and Construction Citizen Concern Investigations (311)

38 Who We Are / What We Do PW/ Storm Water Engineering Bexar Regional Watershed Division 30 Employees Master Planning Private Development Review Storm Water Management Plans Adverse Impact Analyses Capital Improvement Project Design and Review Floodplain Development Review and Permitting Floodplain Revision Processing (CLOMRs, LOMRs)

39 How We re Funded Bexar Regional Watershed Maintenance, operations, and capital infrastructure improvements are funded through a Storm Water Utility Fee collected in your monthly SAWS bill Regional Facilities are funded through collection of Regional Storm Water (RSWMP) fees for new development.

40 How We Use the DFIRMs Providing accurate floodplain information Master Planning Project Design Methods being incorporated into UDC Regulating development Resource since release of preliminary panels released in 2007 Requirement since Letter of Final Determination in June Current maps become obsolete September 29 th

41 How You can Help City of San Antonio > 1.3 Million Residents Public Works / Storm Water < 300 Staff 1 : 4300 CALL 311 We need your input YOU are our best source of information.

42 Bexar Regional Watershed Management Partnership Questions & Answers 42