Know Flood Newsletter Q1 and Q2 2022

About Us
The mission of the MCC is to educate, advocate, and inform professionals and stakeholders regionally and nationally, on flood hazards.

The MCC Turns 10
On February 2nd, the MCC celebrated 10 years of operation. From our grassroots beginnings in Marshfield, MA as the Marshfield Citizens Coastal Coalition, to today’s statewide scope as the Massachusetts Coastal Coalition. At the MCC, our mission has always been clear: educate, advocate, and inform on flood hazards. In reflecting on 10 years of service to our communities, we wanted to highlight some of our benchmark accomplishments:

  • 2013 flood insurance rally in Scituate
  • 2016 flood insurance summit
  • 2017 five-year celebration and name change
  • 2018 501c3 status
  • 2018 state-wide storm outreach and response
  • 2019 CRS Symposium
  • 2020 CRS class 7 for Marshfield, MA
  • 2021 Webinar series during COVID-19
    And we are nothing without the hard work of our Board of Directors. Thank you to those who serve now and have in the past:
  • John Cusick, founding member: 2012 – 2015
  • Claudette Casey, founding member: 2012-2015
  • Jack Sullivan: 2015-2017
  • Gail Kubik: 2018-2020
  • Sue Sullivan: 2017-2020
  • Doris Crary, founding member: 2013 – present
  • Tim Carty: 2014 – present
  • Tim Williams: 2015 – present
  • Steve Amico: 2017 – present
  • Nate Dill: 2018 – present
  • Tim van der Veen: 2019 – present
  • Kevin Harris: 2021 – present
  • Joe Rossi: 2012 – present In 2022, we are already preparing for a lot of exciting events and activities. Look for more information on our 10-year celebration later in 2022!

Risk Rating 2.0 is Fully Implemented
Starting April 1st, Risk Rating 2.0 is now being fully implemented. This is for all new business and now all renewals on or after April 1st, 2022. Because risk and premium is specific to a particular building under Risk Rating 2.0, please talk to your insurance agent to find out what your exact premium is. The MCC has a Risk Rating 2.0 page with helpful news and resources. In just the last few weeks, FEMA and other stakeholders have released a series of helpful resources that are now on the MCC 2.0 page:

Risk Rating 2.0: A Success Story
On April 1st, Risk Rating 2.0 began its full implementation. As more National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies are written and renewed into the new rating system, it is apparent that Risk Rating 2.0 is meeting its goal of communicating a building’s unique flood risk, and by reflecting that risk in a building’s premium. While some may be skeptical, there can be no doubt about the effectiveness of Risk Rating 2.0 in measuring risk, especially in instances where it has been proven correct by mother nature herself.

NFIP Coordinator Flood Tips
The MCC includes a flood tip in each newsletter from Massachusetts NFIP Coordinator, Joy Duperault. These tips are great flood reminders no matter where you live!
Greetings, fellow floodies! It’s June and time again to consider the possible impacts of hurricanes and summer storms. NOAA has issued their numbers for the 2022 Atlantic hurricane season: 14 to 21 named storms; 6 to 10 hurricanes; and 3 to 6 of these could be Category 3 (winds of 111 to 126 mph) or higher. The first 5 hurricane names are Alex, Bonnie, Colin, Danielle and Earl. The good news is that for local governments that want to strengthen their community’s resilience to floods, wind and more, check out FEMA’s “Mitigation Ideas” guidebook: https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/fema-mitigation-ideas_02-13-2013.pdf

Reinsurance
FEMA continues to engage reinsurance markets to help strengthen the financial framework of the National Flood Insurance Program and promote private sector participation in flood-risk management. On Feb. 22, FEMA entered into a three-year reinsurance agreement with Hannover Re (Ireland) Designated Activity Company. FEMA will pay a premium of $61.23 million for the first year of reinsurance coverage. When this premium is combined with other outstanding bonds and the January 2022 traditional reinsurance placement, FEMA has transferred $2.664 billion of the program’s flood risk to the private sector ahead of the 2022 hurricane season.

National Risk Index
FEMA has now fully implemented the National Risk Index. This online mapping application provides a holistic view of community risk by providing baseline relative risk scores. The Index helps users understand natural hazard risk and to support informed risk reduction decisions for mitigation planning and emergency management. Visit FEMA’s National Risk Index webpage to learn more about the data and the natural hazards that may affect your community.

FEMA Strategic Plan
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has released FEMA’s “2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan,” which outlines the vision and goals designed to address key challenges the agency faces during a pivotal moment in the field of emergency management. Read the “2022-2026 FEMA Strategic Plan” here: 2022–2026 FEMA Strategic Plan.

Technical Bulletin 7
FEMA Building Science Branch is pleased to announce the release of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Technical Bulletin 7, Wet Floodproofing Requirements and Limitations For Buildings and Structures Located in Special Flood Hazard Areas in Accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program. Technical Bulletin 7 (TB 7) provides guidance on the NFIP floodplain management requirements for the design and construction of wet floodproofed buildings and structures in Special Flood Hazard Areas. To download the new TB 7, click HERE

Tim’s Flood Savings Tips
Flood and ALE
Being flooded out of your home and experiencing an actual flood claim and recovery is not something we like to consider. But facing flood damage and a new living situation also carry another possible ‘surprise.’ The surprise I am referring to is facing additional living expenses, beyond repair/recovery work. Many private flood policies offer ALE coverage, but my experience shows few takers.

Note from the Executive Director
Risk Rating 2.0 has begun its full implementation as of April 1st. So far, there has not been significant feedback from policyholders. We see keeping you informed as our most important job. This dual quarter newsletter has many resources and ways to help guide you through the changes. The most important message is to talk to your insurance agent. Only your insurance agent can accurately calculate your flood premium, and if your agent does need assistance, we can certainly point them in the right direction. Keep in touch with us as your renewal comes in under Risk Rating 2.0 and watch for our 10-year anniversary event details, coming soon, where we will have additional Risk Rating information for you.

Joe Rossi
Executive Director
Massachusetts Coastal Coalition