National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

In 1968, Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to provide affordable flood insurance to individuals who live in areas with the greatest risk of flooding called Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). The SFHA is that portion of the floodplain subject to inundation by the base flood (1% annual chance) and/or flood related erosion hazards. The SFHAs are typically depicted in the new format Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) as Zones A, AE, AH, AO, AR, A99, and V. Development may take place within the SFHA, provided that development complies with local floodplain management ordinances, which must meet the minimum Federal requirement.

The NFIP makes federally backed flood insurance available in communities that agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management ordinances to reduce future flood damage. This is important because property owners who hold a federally backed mortgage must purchase flood insurance if the property is located within the SFHAs.

During the rainy season, the continuous downpours saturate and, on occasion, over saturate the ground; reducing the capacity of the Stormwater Drainage System. This may cause some temporary flooding along city streets and/or private property, creating potentially dangerous conditions.

For more information, please visit the NFIP website at https://www.floodsmart.gov/