This is the homepage for FEMA’s Floodplain Management Branch. It contains information on how to join the National Flood Insurance Program, participating in the Community Rating System and other topics related to the adoption and enforcement of floodplain management standards.
Welcome to Floodplain Management
Floodplain management is the operation of a community program of preventive and corrective measures to reduce the risk of current and future flooding, resulting in a more resilient community. These measures take a variety of forms, are carried out by multiple stakeholders with a vested interest in responsible floodplain management and generally include requirements for zoning, subdivision or building, building codes and special-purpose floodplain ordinances. While FEMA has minimum floodplain management standards for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), adopting higher standards will lead to safer, stronger, more resilient communities.
FEMA’s Floodplain Management Branch provides tools and resources to help communities navigate NFIP requirements and implement higher standards of floodplain management.
State and federal agencies, local communities and property owners have a role in reducing flood risk and helping communities become more resilient. From states providing strong model ordinances, to communities adopting and enforcing higher-standard building practices, to property owners elevating their homes, everyone can play a part in making communities safer and more resistant to flood disasters.
Information for Property Owners
NFIP Policy Index
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Policy Index is a compendium of floodplain management regulations, policies, technical bulletins, and guidance which the user navigates by key word. The NFIP Policy Index also provides the user with definitions of floodplain management terms.
Additional Resources
These documents have recently been added to the FEMA Library:
Critical Facilities - for local community officials and emergency managers to learn the basic requirements of critical facilities when they are located in or near a high flood hazard area. It discusses mitigation options and design guidance information to providing enhanced protection to critical facilities.
Higher Standards - for local community officials and gives an introduction of what it means to go above and the beyond the minimum required standards to participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). It also explains why it is beneficial to utilize higher standards in their community, and how they can save their citizens money by reducing their flood insurance premiums if they adopt higher standards and join the Community Rating System (CRS).
LiMWA - for local officials and coastal property owners to explain wave effects, the limit of moderate was action zone, and why it is important to design structures to a coastal standard in those areas. It provided LiMWA Quick Facts to illustrate basic concepts of the LiMWA and provides helpful links to learn more