Community Participation

Community participation is the foundation of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Communities that join the NFIP agree to adopt and enforce floodplain management regulations to reduce flood risks. In exchange, residents and businesses gain access to federally backed flood insurance. Participation is divided into two phases: the Emergency Program and the Regular Program. Each phase has the following benefits:

1. Flood Insurance Access: Residents and businesses in participating communities can purchase federally backed flood insurance policies.
2. Disaster Assistance: Participation ensures eligibility for certain types of federal disaster aid.
3. Risk Reduction: Adopting NFIP standards helps communities mitigate flood risks and protect lives and property.

Emergency Program

The Emergency Program is the initial phase for communities joining the NFIP. It provides limited flood insurance coverage while the community works toward implementing more comprehensive floodplain management practices.

Key Features of the Emergency Program:

• Coverage Limits: Coverage is lower than in the Regular Program. For instance, building coverage is capped at $35,000 for residential properties and $100,000 for non-residential properties.
• Flood Hazard Boundary Map (FHBM): Communities often start with an FHBM, which identifies areas at risk of flooding but lacks detailed flood risk data.
• Transition Phase: The Emergency Program is intended as a temporary stage while the community prepares for the Regular Program by adopting a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) and implementing floodplain management regulations.

Regular Program

The Regular Program is the full phase of NFIP participation, providing higher coverage limits and a structured approach to flood risk management.

Key Features of the Regular Program:

• Comprehensive FIRMs: The community uses detailed Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) to guide building and development regulations.
• Higher Coverage Limits: Residential properties are eligible for up to $250,000 in building coverage and $100,000 for contents. Non-residential properties can receive up to $500,000 for building and contents coverage.
• Floodplain Management: Communities must enforce regulations that meet or exceed NFIP standards, such as requiring elevation of new structures in high-risk areas.

Community Status Information

Agents can verify a community’s NFIP participation status using the NFIP Community Status Book. This resource lists communities by state and indicates their program phase, probation status, and suspension history.

• Community Rating System Fact Page, FEMA.gov
• Eligible Communities (PDF)

By understanding the Emergency and Regular Programs, insurance agents can better explain NFIP participation benefits to clients and guide them through the flood insurance process.

This page contains information about the NFIP. Find more NFIP Resources.