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Current News and Updates:
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 New February 2011 "Floodplain Management Today" Newsletter!
- Including more detailed information on:
- Floodplain Mapping Status and Outlook
- Pictures and stories about extreme floods
- Risk MAP, FEMA's new flood mapping project
- FEMA's new method of tracking floodplain studies, CNMS
- Pictures and details about the Second Annual Floodplain and Stormwater Management Conference and information about the upcoming Third Conference
- Q & A with Bill Jones NDNR Floodplain Management Specialist
- And Much More!
Click here to see the complete Newsletter!
Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) Update:
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) defines a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) as the official map of a community on which FEMA has delineated both the special hazard areas and the risk premium zones applicable to the community. These maps help protect citizens' lives and reduce property damage from flood dangers through analyzing the landscape to identify flood prone areas, so that citizens can make safe and informed decisions about their communities.
More information can be found on the official FEMA website!
Conference PowerPoints Now Available!
The PowerPoint presentations from Nebraska's 2010 Floodplain and Stormwater Managers Conference are now available. Please click here!
During two wet weeks in June, just about the entire State of Nebraska was under some type of flood watch or warning. Major rivers and tributaries flooded causing damage to homes, businesses, crops and bridges. The spring rains resulted in flooding on the Missouri, North Loup, Elkhorn and Platte rivers. In addition, Ponca, Big Papillion, Weeping Water and Logan creeks set flooding records. All told, 16 gages broke historic records, two records going back to 1947.
So far, preliminary damage estimates to public infrastructure from the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency total more than $16 million statewide.
On July 15, 2010, President Obama issued a federal disaster declaration for Public Assistance in 53 Nebraska counties for June’s storm damage and flooding. Public Assistance can help with eligible costs to remove storm debris, take emergency protective measures and repair or replace disaster-damaged roads, bridges, public buildings and critical facilities such as water, sewer and power systems, and other public facilities. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds will also be available statewide to reduce future hazard risk.
Click here to see the complete article!
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Important changes to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) took effect on Oct. 1, 2009. There has been an increase in rates, in the standard deductibles and in the basic insurance limits. These combined changes have resulted in an average premium increase of 8 percent. These increases apply only to policies written or renewed after Oct. 1, 2009. For a Summary Chart click here!
Standard Deductible
The standard deductible of $500 has been discontinued for all properties. The new standard deductible for Post-FIRM (Flood Insurance Rate Map) properties is $1,000, and Pre-FIRM properties is $2,000. Owners of Pre-FIRM properties have the option to buy back the $1,000 deductible within 60 days of the renewal of their flood insurance policy. Otherwise, deductibles cannot be reduced midterm unless required by the mortgagee. It is important to remember that there is a 30-day waiting period unless it is a requirement for loan closing.
Basic Insurance Limits
The basic limit for 1-4 Family Dwelling Coverage has increased from $50,000 to $60,000. Additional insurance limits are $190,000 for a total limit of $250,000.
The Other Residential Building Coverage basic limit has increased from $150,000 to $175,000 with additional insurance limits of $75,000 for a total limit of $250,000.
Non-residential Building Coverage has increased from $150,000 to $175,000 with additional insurance limits of $75,000 for a total limit of $250,000.
Residential Contents Coverage basic limit has increased from $20,000 to $25,000. Addition limits are $75,000 for a total insurance limit of $100,000.
The Non-residential Contents Coverage basic limit has increased from $130,000 to $150,000. Additional insurance limits are $350,000 for a total insurance limit of $500,000.
Emergency program building coverage will remain unchanged. For 1-4 family dwellings this coverage is $35,000, and for other residential and non-residential it is $100,000. Emergency program contents coverage for residential is $10,000 and non-residential is $100,000.
Premium increases vary by zone:
- A Zones: A Zones that are primarily riverine zones have increased by 8 to 10 percent.
- Post-FIRM A1-A30 and AE Zones have increased 10 percent.
- Pre-FIRM AE Zone premiums have increased 10 percent to decrease the amount of subsidy in our Pre-FIRM rate.
- AO, AH, AOB and AHB Zone premiums have increased by 8 percent.
- Unnumbered A Zones, which are remote A Zones where elevations have not been determined, have increased by 10 percent.
- A99 Zones, which are approved flood mitigation projects such as levees still in the course of construction, and AR Zones, have had premium increases of 10 percent.
Zones and Miscellaneous
Zones, zones outside the Special Flood Hazard Area, have increased by 8 percent for a Standard Risk Policy and no increase in premiums for a Preferred Risk Policy.
Premiums for the mortgage Portfolio Protection Program have increased by 10 percent.
Discontinuance of Paper FIRMs
Effective Oct. 1, 2009, FEMA has discontinue distribution of paper maps. Paper maps have been replaced with Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps or DFIRMs. This move is more environmentally friendly and will improve the usability of FEMA’s flood hazard data. It also provides users with a more powerful tool for insurance activities and flood risk management.
To read the entire FEMA Memo, please click here!
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NFIP Digital Desk Reference Has Been Updated
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FYI: The Digital Desk Reference, highlighting important information, guidance and regulations pertaining to the National Flood Insurance Program, has been updated. The repository, compiled for your easy access by the Floodplain Management Section, now contains the latest forms and tools along with some new information. Items in the following categories can be downloaded by clicking on the title, clicking on SAVE in your toolbar and then clicking on SAVE AS:
The DDR can be accessed by clicking on General Floodplain Information (in column to the left) and then clicking on Digital Desk Reference.
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