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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY RATINGNational Flood Insurance Program, Community Rating System Update Whitney McNamara, CFM, Environmental Coordinator Department of Planning & Community Development September 15, 2026 OVERVIEW •National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) •Community Rating System (CRS) •Virginia Beach CRS Participation •New Points Earned •Increased Points •Next Steps •Questions NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE | 2 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM •Standard Homeowner’s Insurance does not cover flooding. •The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)was created in 1968 to help provide a means for property owners, renters, and business owners to financially protect themselves from flooding. •In return for federally backed flood insurance, local governments must agree to adopt and enforce a floodplain ordinance regulating development in areas prone to flooding. •Virginia Beach adopted a standalone Floodplain Ordinance (Appendix K) on November 26, 2013. •Periodically reviewed, last updated September 2025 NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE | 3 COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM (CRS) •Developed by FEMA in 1990 to provide NFIP flood insurance policyholders with discounts on their premiums in exchange for local government policies and programs that reduce community flood risk. •Participation is voluntary on the part of the local government. •There are 18 activities in four broad categories of floodplain management: •Public Information •Mapping and Regulations •Flood Damage Reduction •Flood Warning and Response •Communities earn points for undertaking activities in each of these categories. •Discounts on NFIP Flood Insurance Policies can range from 5% to 45% and are based on floodplain management activities implemented by a community. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE |4 VIRGINIA BEACH CRS PARTICIPATION CRS Class Credit Points Premium Reductions 1 4,500-5,000 45% 2 4,000-4,499 40% 3 3,500-3,999 35% 4 3,000-3,499 30% 5 2,500-2,999 25% 6 2,000-2,499 20% 7 1,500-1,999 15% 8 1,000-1,499 10% 9 500-999 5% •The City of Virginia Beach (the City) joined the CRS as a Class 7 with a 15% discount May 1, 2019. •Discounts apply to NFIP flood insurance policies in all flood zones paying full risk rates. ±19,800 policies Citywide. •The City participated in a Verification Visit with FEMA in November 2025. •Based on new activities and increased points, the City will progress to a Class 6 Community with a 20% discount on October 1, 2026. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE | 5 NEW POINTS EARNED The City earned new points in the following categories: •Map Information Service (90 points): providing residents with flood zone determinations over the phone and via email. •Flood Protection Information (56 points): information available on the City’s website related to flood insurance, flood maps, and flood protection. •Drainage System Maintenance (247 points): annual inspection and clearing of channels and storage basins to prevent localized flooding. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE | 6 INCREASED POINTS The City earned increased points for: •Outreach Projects to help residents understand flooding and their flood risk (63 new points) •Hazard Disclosure to help prospective property buyers understand flood risk (10 new points) •Higher Regulatory Standards for development, including requiring elevating the finished floor of a structure to reduce flood risk (149 points) NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE |7 NEXT STEPS For Residents: •The CRS discount is automatically applied to all policies in all flood zones paying the full risk rate. •The CRS discount does not apply to policies that are paying a discounted rate (Pre-FIRM subsidized, grandfathered, and newly mapped). For Staff: •Will continue annual recertification to maintain CRS rating. •Additional class increases will require programmatic and policy changes to earn additional points. NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE PROGRAM, COMMUNITY RATING SYSTEM UPDATE |8 QUESTIONS 8