1. Osceola County Floodplain Program
Jennifer Nicholson, CFM
Picture credit: Osceola Historical Society

2. National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) through FEMA
Act of 1968
Federal program to purchase flood insurance
Over 20,000 communities participate nationwide
The NFIP, created by the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, is a Federal program
based on an agreement between local communities and the Federal Government that
states if a community will adopt and enforce a floodplain management ordinance to
reduce flood risks in Special Flood Hazard Areas, the Federal Government will make
flood insurance available within the community as a financial protection against
flood losses. This insurance is designed to provide an insurance alternative to disaster
assistance to meet the escalating costs of repairing damage to buildings and their
contents caused by floods.

3. Flood Insurance Facts:
Home owners insurance does not cover flood
Flood Insurance is Federal
Available to participating jurisdictions
FEMA does not drop policy's
Rates are set by FEMA
Can be purchased through FEMA or FEMA agreements with private companies (WYO’s)
Can be Mandatory

4. Flood Zones:
A Flood Zone is an area established on the Flood Hazard Maps with a designated risk attached to it
Everyone lives in a flood zone
Flood zones in Osceola: A, AE, Floodway X and X shaded

5. How to read a Flood Map?
Low – and moderate risk zones are represented on the maps by the letter “X” or an “X” that is shaded.
The high-risk zones will be labeled with designations such as “A” or “AE”.

6. Flood Map: Low Risk Area – X zone High Risk Area – A zone
High Risk Area – AE Zone

7. Flood Zone Definition
The low- and moderate-risk has the potential for flooding and flood insurance is recommended but not required .
The high-risk zones has high potential of flooding and flood insurance may be required.

8. A , AE and Floodway:
High risk and requires flood policy's with a mortgage.
A – High risk no base flood elevation
AE – High risk with a base flood elevation
Floodway – Federally protected, high velocity of water and has a base flood elevation

9. Floodway:
Considered to be a rather dangerous and no construction or fill is allowed in this area unless a variance is submitted .
If a home is mapped in a floodway; residents can continue to live there.
Restrictions in the floodway…

10. Helpful Documents: Floodplain Determination Letter
Aerial with floodplain overlay
Elevation Certificates
Letter of Map Revisions

11. 48% of Osceola County is zoned in a High Risk Flood Zone.
All of the Orange is High Risk!

12. How is the Risk Determined?
A Flood study and maps made by FEMA determine each areas risk percentage, which places homes in a flood zone.
Current maps were created in Changes are here!

13. Why new flood hazard maps?
Important tools in the effort to protect lives and properties.
Current maps out of date.
New technology will provide more detailed and reliable information. Digital maps.

14. Timeline: 2001 - Current maps 2009 - FEMA began studying for new maps
August preliminary maps are released
2011- Outreach
May protests are 1 appeal submitted to FEMA
??- Map adoption

15. Osceola County’s Changes:
Over 10,000 properties affected
Flood zones changed
Base flood elevations determined and revised

16. New Maps = New Challenges
Building regulations
New floodway’s
Mandatory flood insurance
Flood elevation changes
Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance and Building Code
Real Estate

17. FOR SALE IN FLOOD ZONE ? Affect on home sales?
How do we find out what flood zone a property is in and what flood zone a property is proposed to be in?
GIS Maps – FEMA Floodplain OR call the County
What flood zone is this?
LOW RISK

18. Grandfathering Policy:
Available if a property is going from low-risk to high-risk.
$aving$
Purchase flood voluntary pre-map adoption: Preferred Risk Policy = additional savings for the first 2 years
Does not apply to all changes

19. This may end up costing the client a lot more money $$$.
#1 call we get~
“I am closing on my house today and I was told the house in the floodplain; can you help me, asap? “
Do not wait till closing to find out the property is in a floodplain and insurance will be required.
This may end up costing the client a lot more money $$$.

20. #2 call we get ~ “Is my property in the floodplain and how can you help me”
Good!
We are happy to help any way we can although there is usually a fee for this.
The County is the only repository for certain documents. We want to help.

21. Message: Stay informed and keep clients informed.
Never use an inadequate data base. Use City, County or FEMA.
There is usually more to the story.
Find out flood info pre-closing date.
Osceola floods, the risk is real.

22. Buenaventura Lakes Area

23. Pleasant Hill Road

24. Boggy Creek Area

25. Canoe Creek Road

26. Sherwood Forest Area

27. Flooding in 2011:

28. Before the 2011 Rain Event:

29. After the 2011 Rain Event:

30. Reduces flood insurance premiums by 15%
FEMA RATES US
Community Rating =
Reduces flood insurance premiums by 15%
Flood policy direct savings $350,000 annually

31. How to get covered.
Calling an insurance agent Or Calling FEMA to obtain a policy. #

32. Resources Osceola County Floodplain Coordinator:
Jennifer Nicholson , CFM
City of Kissimmee Floodplain Coordinator:
Larry Clough, P.E. , CFM
City of St. Cloud Floodplain Coordinator:
Kevin Felblinger, P.E., CFM
For more information on the Floodplain Program, please visit: