State & Tribal Governments
States and local government offer tools and resources to help adopt higher floodplain management standards.
Empowering communities to reduce flood risk
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States and tribes set floodplain management by setting standards and support local communities with planning, grants and compliance.
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The Community Rating System (CRS) can help communities save on flood insurance premiums by doing more to prevent flooding.
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States and tribes that clearly tell homebuyers about flood risks see more residents buying flood insurance.
Floodplain management for States and Tribes
Maintaining minimum floodplain management standards and encouraging higher standards usually starts at the state level.
States and tribes can create higher floodplain management standards such as one- or two-foot freeboard through legislation. In fact, approximately 26 states have some sort of freeboard requirement.
Through community visits and contacts, states and tribes can help communities:
- Maintain NFIP eligibility
- Help identify mitigation projects that may qualify for grants
- Encourage proactive community planning to include increasing open space in floodplains
- Continually promote the adoption of higher standards
Residents that adopt their state's or tribe's higher standards after a claim, may result in lower flood insurance premiums. Under the NFIP's Pricing Approach, a past flood claims will affect the cost of flood insurance after the first claim is started. Policyholder can erase a building’s past claims history with a Prior Claims History Reset if their community confirms they’ve made certain safety improvements.
Community Rating System (CRS)
The CRS is a voluntary incentive program to encourage floodplain management practices that exceeds the minimum NFIP requirements Currently, more than 1,500 communities nationwide participate.
It encourages community floodplain management practices that go beyond the minimum NFIP flood safety requirements.
For participating communities, flood insurance premium rates are discounted to reflect the efforts the community has made to reduce flood risk.
When communities take steps to mitigate their flood risk, such as regulating to higher standards, they can earn credits and discounts on flood insurance for property owners. These discounts can be as high as 45% within the Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA).
Review the Mitigation Planning and the Community Rating System bulletin to learn how local governments can improve their local mitigation plans and leverage the insurance benefits of the CRS to advance mitigation outcomes.
For more information about the CRS, read the CRS FAQs and the CRS Coordinator’s Manual.
Flood risk disclosure
More people buy flood insurance when their state or tribal government has strong rules about sharing flood risk information when selling a home.
The State Flood Risk Disclosure helps states, tribes and territories develop or strengthen real estate disclosure laws. It also helps governments develop the required forms to improve how flood risk information is communicated during property transactions.
Tools & Resources
State and tribal governments are encouraged to work closely with local communities, as well as FEMA and other federal agencies to support the adoption of higher standards. In turn, this can result in stronger communities.
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Community Assistance Program- State Support Services Element (CAP-SSSE)
CAP-SSSE is a grant program whereby states receive funding to provide technical assistance to local communities.
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Hazard Migration Assistance Grants (HMA)
This program may be available to communities to help pay for mitigation projects that reduce the impact of flooding.
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Environmental Historic Preservation
Governments can take steps to strengthen or rebuild communities through environmental planning and historic preservation.
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Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) guidance for state and local officials
When a community receives FEMA HMA grant funds for an awarded flood mitigation project, the policyholder may be able to assign the ICC claim payment for the community to use as part of the non-federal cost-share requirements.
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Floodplain Management Requirements Study Guide and Desk Reference
The reference has guidance on handling specific issues and explains requirements to community members.
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Digital and printed floodplain management resources
These resources can be ordered by phone through the FEMA Publication Distribution Center at 1 (800) 480-2520 or through digital downloads.
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Training courses: Emergency Management Institute (EMI)
Anyone interested in floods and floodplain management can take the courses from FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute.
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Training courses: Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM)
Floodplain managers in states, tribes and territories are encouraged to take related training courses.
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Tribal curriculum courses
The EMI’s Tribal Curriculum helps leaders meet the unique emergency management needs of Sovereign Nations with regard to tribal culture, tradition, sovereignty and governance.
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Tribal contacts
Look up which FEMA region supports your Tribal Nation during disaster and emergency response.
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Tribal affairs hub
Effective relationships with Tribal Nations are core to FEMA’s mission. The Tribal Affairs Hub contains information, documents and forms specifically for tribal governments and their members.
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Federal Interagency Floodplain Management Task Force
All levels of government have a responsibility to protect citizens and their property from flooding.
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Executive Order 11988- Floodplain Management
Executive Order 11988 requires federal agencies to avoid the long and short-term adverse impacts associated with the occupancy and modification of floodplains.
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Executive Order 11990- Protection of Wetlands
Executive Order 11990 requires federal agencies to consider alternatives to wetland sites and limit potential damage.